Fuel Flow Divider Valve Mounting Vibration Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The integration of new parts with existing gas turbine engine hardware often results in assemblies that compromise durability due to dynamic operating conditions, leading to undue stresses and potential low cycle fatigue, necessitating a solution to mitigate these issues without intrusive redesigns.

Innovation Solution

A damped adapter system for mounting the fuel flow divider valve to the gas turbine engine, featuring a first and second mounting plate secured together by damped fastener assemblies with Belleville washers, which act as vibration isolators to absorb dynamic energy and reduce stress transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a new fuel flow divider valve is integrated with existing gas turbine engine hardware, then the valve can perform its fuel distribution function, but stress-induced vibrations occur due to mismatched dynamic modes compromising component durability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration of new valve with existing hardwareVSAvoidcomponent durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A damped adapter assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the fuel flow divider valve and the gas generator case. This adapter includes vibration isolators (elastomeric elements) that mediate the connection, absorbing dynamic energy and reducing stress transfer while allowing the valve to be integrated with existing hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Vibration isolators in the form of elastomeric elements are pre-installed in the damped adapter assembly to provide cushioning before vibrations occur. These isolators are specifically designed to absorb dynamic energy and reduce stress-induced vibrations from mismatched dynamic modes between the new valve and existing hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If the dynamic response of the system is changed to reduce stress vibrations, then component durability is improved, but intrusive redesign of major system components may be required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent durabilityVSAvoidsystem redesign extent

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system is segmented into separate functional components: a damped adapter assembly with vibration isolators, mounting plates, and fasteners. This segmentation allows the vibration damping function to be added without redesigning the entire fuel flow divider valve or gas generator case, reducing the intrusiveness of the modification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The damped adapter assembly introduces dynamic vibration isolation capabilities to an otherwise static mounting system. The elastomeric vibration isolators provide dynamic response characteristics that absorb stress-induced vibrations, altering the system's dynamic behavior without requiring redesign of major components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The damped adapter effectively reduces stress transmission to the engine casing by absorbing vibrations, thereby enhancing the durability and low cycle fatigue life of the gas generator case during engine operation.

Implementation Method 1

damped fastener assemblies securing the first and second mounting plates together, each damped fastener assembly including a first set of Belleville washers trapped between the first and second mounting plates

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

A damped adapter system is introduced, featuring a first and second mounting plate with damped fastener assemblies, including Belleville washers, to absorb dynamic energy and reduce stress transfer between the fuel flow divider valve and the gas generator case, utilizing vibration isolators to alter the system's dynamic response

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS10227892B2Fuel flow divider valve mounting arrangement for a gas turbine engine

Publication Date: 2019.03.12 PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP

AI summary

A valve mount comprises a first mounting plate securable to an existing part of a gas turbine engine, a second mounting plate secured to a valve, and at least a pair of fastener assemblies on opposed sides of the valve for securing the first and second mounting plates together. A vibration isolator is disposed between the first and second mounting plates to absorb some of the energy that is being transferred from the valve to the structure of the engine during a predetermined operating phase of the engine.