Modular Cart for Gas Turbine Engine Transport
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transportation systems for gas turbine engines are inefficient and overly complex, particularly when transporting subsets of the engine or separating and reassembling sections, as they often require large single carts or multiple carts that are not well-suited for specific sections like the power turbine section.
Innovation Solution
A modular cart system comprising interchangeable carts with connection portions and mounting locations, allowing for configuration changes to support and transport different sections of the gas turbine engine, such as a first cart with one configuration for the gas producer group and a second cart with another configuration for the turbine power group, which can be combined into a third configuration for efficient transport of multiple sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single large engine cart is used to transport the entire GTE, then the GTE can be transported from operation location to repair location, but the cart is not well suited to transport a subset of the GTE sections
Solution Approach 1:
The cart system is divided into multiple separate carts (first cart, second cart, third cart) that can be used independently or combined. Each cart is sized appropriately for specific GTE sections, and they can be assembled in different configurations depending on the transport needs - whether transporting the entire GTE or just subsets of sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The carts are designed with universal features including standardized connection portions, mounting locations, and interchangeable wheel assemblies that can be configured for different GTE sections. The same cart design can serve multiple functions - transporting compressor sections, turbine sections, or combined configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple carts are used to transport GTE sections, then subsets of GTE can be transported efficiently, but the system becomes inefficient and overly complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses segmented carts that can be independently configured for different GTE sections. Rather than one complex multi-functional cart, multiple simpler carts are used, each optimized for specific sections, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple carts can be connected together using standardized connection portions to form a combined cart system when needed. The carts merge into a unified transport platform for larger GTE configurations, but can also operate separately for smaller sections, simplifying the system when full combination is not required.
3Productivity
If carts are designed for specific GTE sections, then transport efficiency for those sections improves, but the system lacks flexibility for other configurations
Solution Approach 1:
Each cart is designed with universal mounting locations and connection portions that allow the same cart to be used with different GTE sections. The carts maintain specialized features for efficient transport of specific sections while incorporating standardized interfaces that enable flexible reconfiguration for other sections or combined configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular cart for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The modular cart may have a first cart with a first connection portion and a first mounting location. The modular cart may further have a second cart with a second connection portion and a second mounting location. The first connection portion of the first cart may be configured to attach to the second connection portion of the second cart. The modular cart may also have a cart component configured to interchangeably mount to either the first mounting location of the first cart or to the second mounting location of the second cart.