Heat Shield Insert for Gas Turbine Rotor Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotor balancing methods in gas turbine engines generate windage due to the interaction of balance features with fluid flows, leading to vibration issues and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A heat shield insert module is designed to fit between an annular body and a flange, with a forward section that abuts the exterior surface and an aft section that engages with surface features to axially and circumferentially lock the insert, preventing movement and eliminating windage generation during rotor balancing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If blade-lock style balance features are used for rotor balancing, then ease of assembly and disassembly is improved, but windage generation increases due to interaction with fluid flows
Solution Approach 1:
The balance feature is divided into multiple discrete weights that can be independently positioned around the rotor periphery. This segmentation allows the balancing system to achieve the same weight addition function while reducing the profile area that interacts with fluid flows, thereby reducing windage generation while maintaining ease of assembly and disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The balance weights are designed with specific local geometries and positioning features that optimize their interaction with the rotor structure. The weights are positioned in locations that minimize disruption to fluid flow patterns while still providing the necessary balancing mass, thereby reducing windage effects locally at each weight position.
2Reliability
If conventional balance features are used, then rotor balancing capability is achieved, but vibration issues arise from windage generation
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the balance feature into multiple discrete weights distributed around the rotor, the system maintains effective rotor balancing capability while minimizing the cumulative windage effect. The segmented approach allows for optimized positioning that reduces vibration induced by fluid flow interaction.
3Ease of operation
If aft hub module balance features are used, then balance corrections can be easily applied, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The balance weights are integrated with the rotor structure through mechanical attachment features that combine multiple functions into unified components. The weights incorporate mounting features, positioning elements, and securing mechanisms as integral parts, reducing the total number of separate components while maintaining ease of balance correction capability.
Data Source
AI summary
An insert is disposable between an exterior surface of an annular body and an annular flange and between a support wall supportive of the annular flange and surface features of the exterior surface. The insert includes a forward section sized to fit between and to extend along respective arc-segments of the exterior surface and the annular flange and an aft section. The forward section includes a first end wall abuttable with the support wall, a second end wall and inner and outer diameter surfaces that extend between the first and second end walls for abutment with the exterior surface and the annular flange, respectively. The aft section extends from the second end wall to be engageable with the surface features.