Gas Turbine Support Structure Segmented Tubular Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional manufacturing methods for gas turbine engine support structures are time-consuming and costly, and existing methods may not adequately address structural and thermal load requirements, particularly in areas downstream of the combustion zone.
Innovation Solution
A support structure with a combination of tubular members of different material types, where the leading and trailing edge members are made of distinct materials or manufactured differently to enhance structural and thermal capacity, and are fixedly attached to the tubular members to form flow guiding passages, reducing material usage and manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional manufacturing methods are used to provide inner and outer housings with attached load carrying members, then the support structure achieves adequate structural strength, but the manufacturing process becomes time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple tubular members arranged in sequence circumferentially, each delimiting a flow guiding passage. This segmentation allows parallel manufacturing of individual tubular members followed by assembly, significantly improving manufacturing efficiency while maintaining structural strength through the distributed load-bearing configuration
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple tubular members are combined in a circumferential arrangement to form the complete support structure. The merging of these individual members creates the full load-bearing capability and flow guiding functionality, achieving both structural integrity and manufacturing efficiency through modular assembly
2Ease of manufacture
If uniform material type is used for all components of the support structure, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but structural and thermal load requirements in high-stress areas are not adequately addressed
Solution Approach 1:
Different material types are assigned to different components based on their specific functional requirements. The leading edge member uses a material optimized for high structural and thermal capacity to withstand combustion zone loads, while tubular members use a material optimized for their specific operational conditions. This local quality differentiation ensures each component has the appropriate material properties for its location and load conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure employs a composite material system where the leading edge member and tubular members are made of different material types. This composite approach allows optimization of each component's material selection for its specific demands, achieving superior overall structural and thermal performance compared to uniform material construction
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple separate manufacturing steps are used to attach load carrying members to housings, then structural integrity is ensured, but manufacturing cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into discrete tubular members that can be manufactured independently and then assembled. This segmentation transforms a complex multi-step attachment process into a simpler modular assembly process, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining structural integrity through the defined connection interfaces between members
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a support structure (16) for a gas turbine engine (1). The support structure (16) has an axial extension in an axial direction (A) and a circumferential extension in a circumferential direction (C). Moreover, the support structure (16) comprises a plurality of tubular members (18, 20) of a first material type arranged in sequence in the circumferential direction (C). Each tubular member (18, 20) at least partially delimits a flow guiding passage extending at least partially in the axial direction (A). The support structure (16) comprises a leading portion (22) and a trailing portion (24) in the axial direction (A). Furthermore, the support structure (16) comprises a leading edge member (26) of a second material type, the leading edge member (26) being located at the leading portion (22). At least two of the tubular members (18, 20) are fixedly attached to a leading edge member (26). According to the present invention, the first material type is different from the second material type.