Gas turbine engine systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas turbine engine dressings, including electrical and fluid systems, are complex, bulky, and difficult to assemble or disassemble, leading to increased time, weight, and susceptibility to mechanical damage, with a high risk of errors during maintenance and service.
Innovation Solution
A rigid raft assembly that embeds fluid and electrical systems within a single, lightweight structure, using a rigid material to securely mount multiple systems with a single set of mounts, reducing the complexity and weight of the assembly and providing enhanced protection and ease of handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional separate mounts or brackets are used for each system/component, then each system can be individually mounted, but the assembly becomes complex, bulky, and heavy with multiple separate mounting operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate systems (fluid pipes, electrical harnesses, monitoring systems) and their individual mounting brackets into a single integrated rigid raft assembly. This consolidation reduces the number of separate mounting operations and simplifies the overall assembly process, directly addressing the contradiction between ease of manufacture and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid raft assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, integrates fluid pathways, accommodates electrical systems, and offers mounting points for various components. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mounting structures for each system, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining manufacturing ease.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate systems are mounted individually, then each system can be independently installed, but the overall weight and volume of the assembly increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple separate systems into a single integrated rigid raft assembly, the patent eliminates redundant structural elements and mounting hardware that would otherwise be required for each independent system. This consolidation significantly reduces the overall weight while maintaining the functional independence of each subsystem through dedicated pathways and mounting points within the unified structure.
3Ease of operation
If conventional electrical harnesses with multiple insulated wires are used, then electrical components can be connected, but the harness becomes bulky, heavy, and difficult to manipulate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates electrical harnesses directly into the rigid raft assembly structure, combining the electrical conductors with the structural support elements. This integration eliminates the need for separate bulky harness assemblies, making the electrical system more compact and easier to manipulate while reducing overall complexity.
4Ease of manufacture
If fluid pipes and electrical systems occupy significant space within the engine, then all components can be accommodated, but the design of the engine nacelle is compromised in terms of size, weight, and shape
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid raft assembly merges fluid pipes, electrical systems, and structural support into a single compact unit with integrated pathways. This consolidation significantly reduces the space required to accommodate all components compared to separate mounting arrangements, allowing for a more compact nacelle design while maintaining ease of manufacture and component accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A gas turbine engine 10 comprises at least one rigid raft assembly that has a fluid passageway 210 at least partially embedded therein. The fluid passageway 210 is at least a part of a fluid system. In addition to the fluid passageway 210, the rigid raft assembly 200 also has at least a part of another system. For example, the rigid raft assembly may also include electrical conductors 252, which are part of an electrical system. The rigid raft assembly 200 may be lighter, easier to assemble, more robust and more compact than conventional solutions for providing systems to gas turbine engines.