Leak-Resistant Threaded Insert for Gas Turbine Fastener Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face challenges in reducing fluid leakage between components, which affects efficiency and fuel economy due to existing fastener assemblies that fail to provide adequate sealing.
Innovation Solution
A leak-resistant fastener assembly featuring a threaded insert made from materials like nickel-chromium alloy, titanium alloy, or corrosion-resistant steel, with various shapes and configurations, is used to securely engage with case walls in compressor, combustor, or turbine sections through press or shrink fit installations, effectively sealing the interface between mounting components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fastener assemblies are used to mount components, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but fluid leakage occurs between components affecting efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded insert is nested within the fastener assembly, with the insert being received by the fastener body. This nesting arrangement allows the sealing function to be integrated within the existing fastener structure without requiring a completely separate sealing component, thus improving sealing performance while controlling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded insert acts as an intermediary element between the fastener and the workpiece hole. It provides both the threading function for mechanical fastening and the sealing function for fluid leakage prevention, mediating between structural and sealing requirements in a single component.
2Productivity
If existing fasteners are used, then the assembly process is simple, but fuel economy deteriorates due to fluid leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged with the fastening function in the threaded insert. The insert combines both mechanical fastening capability (through internal threading) and fluid sealing capability (through its outer surface engagement with the workpiece hole), eliminating the need for separate sealing components and maintaining assembly efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded insert serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical fastening through its internal threads, creates a fluid-tight seal through its outer surface engagement with the workpiece hole, and prevents fluid leakage. This multi-functionality improves fuel economy by eliminating leakage while maintaining simple assembly procedures.
3Reliability
If standard fasteners are used, then manufacturing is easy, but leakage occurs reducing engine efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded insert is pre-formed with its internal threading and sealing surface characteristics before installation. This preliminary preparation allows the insert to be simply pressed or shrunk-fit into the workpiece hole, making the installation process easy while ensuring reliable fluid-tight sealing is achieved from the outset.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert can be installed using press fit or shrink fit methods, which utilize parameter changes (applied pressure or thermal contraction/expansion) to facilitate installation. These parameter changes enable easy installation of the sealing component without complex manufacturing or assembly procedures, while ensuring a reliable fluid-tight seal.
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 solution significantly reduces fluid leakage, enhancing the efficiency and fuel economy of gas turbine engines by providing a reliable and durable fluid-tight seal between components.
Implementation Method 1
The leak resistant fastener insert may be installed within a case wall of at least one of the compressor section, the combustor section, or the turbine section using at least one of a press fit installation process or a shrink fit installation process.
Implementation Method 2
The leak resistant fastener insert may be installed within a case wall of at least one of the compressor section, the combustor section, or the turbine section using at least one of a press fit installation process or a shrink fit installation process.
Data Source
AI summary
A fastener assembly (300) may be configured to mount structures in a gas turbine engine (20). The fastener assembly (300) may comprise a fastener (310) and a leak resistant insert (320). The leak resistant insert (320) may be configured to at least partially reduce fluid leakage between the coupling of the fastener (310) and the leak resistant insert (320). The leak resistant insert (320) may comprise an outer surface (321) opposite an inner threaded surface (323). The inner threaded surface (323) may define an insert opening (325) through leak resistant fastener insert (320), configured to receive the fastener (310). The outer surface (321) may define an insert end (327) enclosing the inner threaded surface (323) opposite the insert opening (325).