Movable Joining Support Jig With Inert Gas Grooves for Weld Oxidation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional joining support jigs for gas turbine engine components face issues with oxidation of weld beads due to atmospheric oxygen, deformation during temperature changes, and limited versatility in accommodating different cylinder sizes.
Innovation Solution
A joining support jig with movable members featuring gas supply grooves that reduce oxygen exposure during welding and adjust to various cylinder diameters, allowing for inert gas supply and easy product removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a correcting jig is abutted against the inner casing or outer casing to prevent excessive deformation during welding, then the deformation is controlled, but the constricted welded portion may catch the correcting jig, making it difficult to separate the welded product from the correcting jig
Solution Approach 1:
The correcting jig employs movable members that can dynamically adjust their position and shape during the welding process. The movable members are configured to be movable relative to the cylinder, allowing them to adapt to thermal expansion and contraction, and to facilitate easy separation after welding without catching on the welded portion
Solution Approach 2:
The correcting jig is divided into multiple movable members that can independently adjust their positions. This segmentation allows each member to adapt to local deformation conditions while maintaining overall structural integrity, and enables easier separation by allowing individual members to move away from the welded portion
2Manufacturing precision
If the inside and outside diameters of the correcting jig are fitted to the diameters of the inner casing and outer casing, then the deformation is effectively controlled, but the correcting jig cannot be used for the welding of other inner and outer casings of different sizes, resulting in poor versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The correcting jig features movable members that can dynamically adjust their positions and the overall diameter of the jig structure. This dynamic adjustability allows the same correcting jig to accommodate cylinders of different diameters by moving the movable members to appropriate positions, thereby achieving both precise deformation control and high versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The correcting jig is designed with universal applicability through its movable members that can be positioned to match different cylinder dimensions. This multi-functionality allows a single correcting jig design to serve multiple welding applications across different cylinder sizes, eliminating the need for multiple specialized jigs
3Strength
If laser beam welding is performed on the abutment surface between the dome portion and the inner casing or outer casing, then the joining strength is achieved, but oxygen in the atmosphere is taken into the high-temperature fusion, causing the weld bead to contain oxides and reducing long-term joint strength
Solution Approach 1:
The correcting jig incorporates gas supply grooves that supply inert gas (such as argon or helium) to the welding zone. This creates an inert atmosphere around the abutment surface during laser beam welding, preventing oxygen from entering the high-temperature fusion zone and forming oxides in the weld bead, thereby ensuring both joining strength and long-term reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The inert gas acts as an intermediary substance between the atmospheric oxygen and the weld pool. The gas supply grooves deliver this intermediary inert gas to the welding zone, where it forms a protective barrier that mediates the interaction between oxygen and the molten metal, preventing harmful oxidation while allowing the welding process to proceed
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 jig effectively suppresses oxidation, minimizes deformation, and supports cylinders of different sizes, enhancing versatility and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
the movable members are each formed with a gas supply groove which is depressed in a direction away from the cylinder and has an opening opposing the abutment surface
Implementation Method 2
the vicinity of the abutment surface expands as the temperature rises, and contracts as the temperature falls
Implementation Method 3
a laser beam is applied to the abutment surface between the dome portion and, the inner casing, or the outer casing, to thereby fuse the abutment surface
Data Source
AI summary
A joining support jig includes: a cylinder support for supporting a cylinder; an annular body support for supporting an annular body; and a plurality of movable members that can approach or separate from the cylinder. Each of the plurality of movable members extends from the cylinder side to the annular body side and across an abutment surface between the cylinder and the annular body in the thickness direction of the movable member. Further, the movable members are each formed with a gas supply groove that is depressed in the direction away from the cylinder and has an opening opposing the abutment surface.