Aircraft Engine Gas Duct Particle Impact Simulation for Blade Damage Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for evaluating particle impacts in aircraft engine gas ducts are labor-intensive and hinder systematic analysis, making it difficult to identify and mitigate damage from foreign and internal particles.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method combining Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations with structural mechanical simulations to model particle movements and impacts within the gas channel, allowing for the identification of high-risk areas and optimization of blade design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If investigations into particle damage are carried out during engine overhaul, then damage can be detected, but the evaluation requires considerable effort and systematic correlations cannot be investigated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamage detection accuracyVSAvoidevaluation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the engine gas duct and blade system through CFD and structural mechanical models. Instead of physically examining actual damaged components during overhaul, the invention simulates particle trajectories and impact locations in a digital replica, enabling rapid repeated analysis without handling physical evidence multiple times

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The invention performs preliminary simulation of particle impacts before actual damage occurs or before physical examination. By pre-calculating particle trajectories, impact velocities, and potential damage locations using CFD and structural models, the system prepares evaluation data in advance, eliminating the need for time-consuming post-overhaul analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If computational effort is reduced in particle impact simulation, then more investigations can be performed for statistical analysis, but simulation accuracy may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of simulationsVSAvoidsimulation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the simulation into two independent but coupled segments: CFD simulation for fluid flow and particle trajectory calculation, and structural mechanical simulation for blade response. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized separately and run efficiently, enabling large numbers of simulations while maintaining accuracy in both fluid dynamics and structural mechanics domains

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupled CFD-structural mechanical model serves multiple functions simultaneously: it calculates particle trajectories, determines impact velocities, identifies critical impact locations, and assesses potential blade damage. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate analysis tools and enables comprehensive evaluation in a single simulation framework, increasing productivity without sacrificing precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4418160A1Method for simulating particle impacts
Publication Date: 2024.08.21 MTU AERO ENGINES GMBH
  • EP4418160A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4418160A1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP4418160A1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

The present invention relates to a computer-implemented method for simulating particle impacts in a gas duct (6) of an aircraft engine (1), comprising the steps: i) providing (41) a structural-mechanical model (11) of at least one section (6.1) of the gas duct (6), wherein the model (11) comprises structurally modeled blades (25); ii) placing (42) a particle (30) in the gas duct (6) of the model (11); iii) moving (43) the particle (30) with a velocity vector V, which was previously determined in a CFD simulation in a CFD model (10) of at least one section (6.1) of the gas duct (6) for a fluid flowing through the gas duct (6); iv) Detection (44) of an impact (76), i.e. when the moving particle (30) hits one of the structurally modeled paddle blades (25).