Locking Spacer Assembly for Turbine Engine Blade Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional locking spacer assemblies in turbine engines are prone to failure due to centrifugal forces causing multi-piece spacers to come apart, and they often have fitting issues, leading to damage and detachment of blades from the disc.
Innovation Solution
A locking spacer assembly with radially outward and inward supports, featuring a self-locking mechanism and a bolt system with recesses and washers, which can be securely installed without rotating the bolt head, ensuring the assembly remains in place during turbine engine operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multi-piece spacers are used to fill voids between turbine components, then ease of installation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to centrifugal forces causing the spacer to come apart
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer assembly is divided into multiple pieces (first spacer piece, second spacer piece, and locking device) that can be installed separately and then locked together. This segmentation allows for easier installation while the locking mechanism ensures reliability by preventing the pieces from separating under centrifugal forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device includes a self-locking mechanism where the locking member engages with the spacer pieces without requiring external intervention. The design allows the assembly to lock itself into place, ensuring reliability while maintaining ease of installation during assembly operations.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional spacer designs are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to clearance development causing blades to detach
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is designed with pre-configured locking features (locking member, engagement surfaces) that are prepared in advance during manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures that when the spacer assembly is installed, the locking mechanism is already in place to prevent clearance development and blade detachment, maintaining both ease of manufacture and reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multi-piece spacers are used, then adaptability to different configurations is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple components that must fit together
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer assembly is segmented into distinct pieces that can be manufactured separately and then assembled. This segmentation provides adaptability to different configurations while the modular nature of the components actually reduces overall complexity compared to monolithic designs, as each piece can be optimized independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device combines multiple functions (locking, positioning, and structural support) into a single integrated component. This merging reduces the total number of separate parts needed while maintaining adaptability to different configurations, as the combined locking device can accommodate various spacer piece arrangements.
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 locking spacer assembly provides reliable direct clamping and prevents accidental loosening, maintaining assembly integrity across all operating stages of the turbine engine by utilizing a self-locking mechanism that does not require extensive rotation for alignment.
Implementation Method 1
centrifugal forces encountered during operation of the turbine engine can cause these multi-piece spacers to come apart
Data Source
AI summary
A locking spacer assembly for filling a void between adjacent components in a turbine engine. In at least one embodiment, the locking spacer assembly may be configured to be inserted between adjacent turbine blades in a disc groove in a turbine blade stage assembly. The locking spacer assembly may be formed from radially inward and outward supports coupled together with a locking device. The inward and outward supports establish the desired spacing between adjacent blade supports. The locking device may include components that prevent the locking device from accidentally loosening during use.