Gas Turbine Casing Support Plate for Flange Reinforcement and Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engine casings experience deformation and separation of flanges due to operational loads, which can be exacerbated by high event loads such as fan blade off, leading to structural integrity issues.
Innovation Solution
A support plate system with anti-rotation ribs and misalignment tabs is used to reinforce the flanges, ensuring correct installation and providing structural reinforcement without requiring disassembly of the casing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the casing is reinforced to withstand higher loads, then the structural integrity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate is segmented into functional zones: a reinforcement region with increased thickness for structural strength, anti-rotation ribs extending from the plate body, and misalignment tabs at the periphery. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function while keeping the overall design relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The support plate employs asymmetric thickness distribution, being thicker in the reinforcement region near the flange and thinner toward the periphery. The anti-rotation ribs and misalignment tabs are positioned asymmetrically to optimize their mechanical functions while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
2Manufacturing precision
If the support plate prevents misalignment during installation, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The misalignment tabs are pre-formed on the support plate before installation. These tabs are designed to engage with corresponding features on the flange, automatically guiding the support plate into correct alignment during the installation process and preventing misalignment before fastening occurs.
3Ease of operation
If the support plate is designed for easy installation in confined spaces, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reinforcement effectiveness may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate is segmented into functional zones: a reinforcement region with increased thickness for structural strength, anti-rotation ribs extending from the plate body, and misalignment tabs at the periphery. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function while keeping the overall design relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The support plate utilizes the axial dimension (thickness direction) to provide reinforcement through increased plate thickness in the reinforcement region, rather than expanding in the radial or circumferential directions. This dimensional approach maintains a compact profile suitable for confined spaces while delivering the necessary structural strength.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~4B
AI summary
A support plate (30) for an engine casing (15) includes an anti-rotation rib (40) abutting an outer flange wall (15FW) of the casing (15) and a misalignment tab (50) extending radially outwardly from the anti-rotation rib (40). The support plate (30) has a support plate hole (32H) configured to be aligned with one flange hole (15FH) of a flange (15F) of the casing (15).