Hollow Vane Cover Surface Features for Vibration Tailoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hollow vanes used in engine applications face challenges in meeting dimensional and material requirements due to limitations in casting processes, which affect their vibratory characteristics and operational performance.
Innovation Solution
A process involving forming an open body with a cover support structure, attaching a cover with surface features to modify vibratory characteristics, and brazing to create a dual-walled structure with contoured surfaces, enhancing stiffness and adapting to aerodynamic forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If hollow vanes are manufactured by casting with internal cores, then a hollow cavity is formed within the cast part, but the dimensional and material requirements demanded by the engine operating environment are not met
Solution Approach 1:
The vane is divided into two separate components: an open body and a cover. The open body is formed by casting with internal cores to create the hollow cavity, while the cover is separately manufactured to meet precise dimensional and material requirements. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific manufacturing process and performance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The vane assembly combines two different components (open body and cover) that can be made from different materials or material treatments. The cover can be made from material that better suits the engine operating environment requirements, while the open body maintains the hollow cavity structure. This composite approach allows optimization of material properties for specific performance criteria.
2Reliability
If the cover is made with surface features to modify vibratory characteristics, then the vibratory characteristics and stiffness are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Surface features such as ribs, grooves, or contours are added only to specific locations on the cover where vibratory characteristics need modification. These local modifications change the stiffness and modal properties of the cover in critical areas without requiring complete redesign of the entire cover structure, thus balancing performance improvement with manufacturing simplicity.
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 effectively modifies the vibratory characteristics and stiffness of the hollow vane assembly, improving its durability and adaptability for various engine operating conditions, optimizing part life and material usage.
Implementation Method 1
forming at least one surface feature on the cover; and brazing the cover to the open body... modifying a vibratory characteristic of the cover with the at least one surface feature... changing a modal shape of the cover to enhance the stiffness of the cover locally responsive to aerodynamic forces
Implementation Method 2
brazing the cover to the open body
Data Source
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AI summary
A process of tailoring vibratory characteristics of a cover (64) for an open body (62) hollow vane assembly (60) comprises forming the open body, the open body including an interior (78), forming at least one cover support structure (66) in said open body proximate the interior, forming a cover, the cover being configured to attach to the open body to form at least one flow passage, forming at least one surface feature (94) on the cover and brazing the cover to the open body. A hollow vane assembly comprises an open body including an interior, at least one cover support structure formed in said open body proximate the interior, a cover brazed to the open body to form at least one flow passage and at least one surface feature on the cover. A process for modifying a vibratory characteristic of a cover to an open body comprises forming an open body, the open body including a leading edge (80) opposite a trailing edge (82), the open body including a pressure side (86) and a suction side (84) opposite the pressure side, the open body including an interior, forming a cover, the cover being configured to couple with the open body proximate the pressure side to form at least one flow passage, forming at least one surface feature on the cover, and brazing the cover to the open body.