Gas Turbine Mechanical Interface for Bending Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gas turbine engines experience operational distortions and bending moments due to internal forces and aero inlet loads, leading to reduced compressor blade tip clearances and decreased engine efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A mechanical interface, such as a spherical bearing or pinned joint, is used to decouple the fan section and core section, allowing the fan section to rotate independently while retaining the engine to a vehicle mount, thereby preventing the transfer of bending moments between sections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the fan section and core section are rigidly coupled, then structural stability is improved, but bending moments are transferred between sections causing operational distortions and reduced blade tip clearances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidblade tip clearance

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The engine is divided into separate sections (fan section and core section) that are coupled through a mechanical interface allowing relative rotation. This segmentation prevents bending moment transfer while maintaining structural integrity, thereby preserving blade tip clearances without sacrificing overall stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical interface changes the rotational parameter between sections from fixed (rigid coupling) to variable (allowing rotation). This parameter change enables the fan section to rotate independently to accommodate operational distortions while maintaining optimal blade tip clearances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If a mechanical interface allowing rotation is introduced, then blade tip clearances are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblade tip clearanceVSAvoidmechanical interface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A mechanical interface acts as an intermediary between the fan section and core section. This intermediary component enables controlled rotation to maintain blade tip clearances while providing a standardized coupling mechanism that manages complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If the fan section is allowed to rotate independently, then operational distortions are reduced, but structural rigidity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblade tip clearanceVSAvoidstructural rigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the engine into rotatable sections coupled through a mechanical interface, the structure gains flexibility to reduce operational distortions while maintaining overall structural strength through the rigid coupling of individual sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical interface introduces dynamic capability allowing the fan section to rotate independently in response to operational conditions. This dynamic adjustment reduces bending moments and operational distortions while the rigid sections maintain structural strength.

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

This solution reduces operational distortions and strain, enabling tighter blade tip clearances and improving engine efficiency and fuel consumption by eliminating bending moment-induced deflections.

Implementation Method 1

A mechanical interface, such as a spherical bearing or pinned joint, is used to decouple the fan section and core section, allowing the fan section to rotate independently

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpherical bearing: Ball Bearing

Implementation Method 2

A mechanical interface, such as a spherical bearing or pinned joint, is used to decouple the fan section and core section, allowing the fan section to rotate independently

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPinned joint: Hinge

Data Source

PatentUS11697506B2Methods and apparatus for gas turbine bending isolation

Publication Date: 2023.07.11 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to methods and apparatus for gas turbine bending isolation. An example mechanical interface to couple a first section of a gas turbine to a second section of the gas turbine, the mechanical interface comprising a first mating surface disposed on the first section, and a second mating surface disposed on the second section and circumferentially around the first mating surface, wherein the coupling of the first mating surface to the second mating surface enables the first section to rotate about the mechanical interface during operation of the gas turbine.