Movable Bridging Sealing Assembly for Jet Engine Voids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sealing methods for gas turbines face challenges such as excess filler usage leading to increased weight and cost, inconsistent curing times, and the need for multiple spare infill panels due to cyclic stagger in fan outlet guide vanes, which complicates the sealing process and compromises acoustic treatment efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A sealing assembly featuring a bridging portion that can move to block gaps between members and lock in place with a cured filler, allowing for controlled filler application and accommodating various vane configurations, reducing the number of spare parts required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If filler is used to completely fill the void between infill panels and acoustic panels, then the gap is sealed, but the weight and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing assembly is divided into multiple components: a first member that bridges the gap, a second member forming part of the gas-washed surface, and a bridging portion that connects them. This segmentation allows the seal to block the void without requiring complete filler coverage of the entire void space.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridging portion acts as an intermediary element between the first and second members. It engages with both members to block off the void from the gas-washed surface, eliminating the need for excessive filler material while maintaining effective sealing.
2Reliability
If large quantities of filler are used to seal circumferential gaps, then the gaps are sealed, but the curing time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the sealing structure into bridging portions and members, the volume of filler required is dramatically reduced. The filler only needs to occupy the space between these structural elements rather than filling entire large voids, thereby reducing curing time.
3Manufacturing precision
If differently shaped infill panels are manufactured to accommodate cyclic stagger, then the gap width remains constant, but the number of spare parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing assembly is designed as a universal component that can accommodate various vane configurations and cyclic stagger patterns. The bridging portion can engage with different member geometries, eliminating the need for multiple specially-shaped infill panels while maintaining consistent gap sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing assembly incorporates movable and adjustable elements that can adapt to different positions and configurations. This dynamic capability allows a single sealing assembly design to serve multiple positions around the turbine, reducing spare parts requirements.
4Ease of manufacture
If the acoustically treated region area is compromised to ensure one infill panel moulding suits all positions, then manufacturing is simplified, but acoustic treatment efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing assembly separates the acoustic treatment function from the sealing function. The bridging portion and members provide sealing, while dedicated acoustic treatment regions can be optimally designed and positioned without compromise, as they are not constrained by the need to fit various stagger positions.
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing assembly (100) for at least partially sealing a gap (102) leading to a void (104) between first and second members (110, 120), the first and second members forming part of a gas-washed surface of a jet engine, wherein the sealing assembly comprises: a bridging portion (130) couplable to one of the first and second members and movable to engage the other of the first and second members so as to block off the void between the first and second members from the gas-washed surface.