Multi-material Gas Turbine Vane Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas turbine engine vanes are not lightweight and simple to manufacture, lacking an efficient structural guide vane solution.
Innovation Solution
A multi-material vane configuration, comprising a metallic-composite hybrid airfoil with distinct side sections and a base section, allowing for load transfer between engine structures and flow direction, while enabling a low complexity manufacturing process through discrete platform components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If traditional monolithic vane design is used, then structural strength is maintained, but weight reduction and manufacturing simplicity are achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The vane is divided into multiple discrete components including a platform, airfoil, and root section that can be manufactured separately and then assembled. This segmentation enables each component to be optimized independently for weight and manufacturing ease, while the overall structural integrity is maintained through the assembled configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The vane utilizes composite material construction, particularly in the airfoil and root sections, combining different materials to achieve optimal strength-to-weight ratios. This allows significant weight reduction compared to traditional monolithic metallic vanes while maintaining the required structural strength
2Weight of moving object
If multi-material composite structure is implemented, then weight is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but structural integrity and load transfer capability must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The platform, airfoil, and root sections are designed to work together as an integrated load-bearing structure. The merging of these discrete components creates a unified structure that efficiently transfers loads from the airfoil through the platform to the root, maintaining structural integrity while allowing weight optimization in each individual component
3Ease of manufacture
If discrete platform components are used, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but assembly precision and structural reliability must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The platform is extracted as a separate, discrete component from the traditional monolithic vane structure. This extraction simplifies manufacturing by allowing the platform to be produced independently using optimized processes, while precise attachment features and bonding procedures ensure that structural reliability is maintained in the assembled configuration
Data Source
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AI summary
A multi-material vane (20) is provided for a gas turbine engine. This vane (20) includes an airfoil (28) extending along a camber line (42) between a leading edge (44) and a trailing edge (46). The airfoil (28) extends along a span line (36) between an inner end (38) and an outer end (40). The airfoil (28) extends laterally between a first side (48) and a second side (50). The airfoil (28) includes a base section (56), a first side section (58) and a second side section (60). The base section (56) defines at least a portion of the trailing edge (46) of the airfoil (28). The base section (56) is laterally between and connected to the first side section (58) and the second side section (60). The first side section (58) defines at least a portion of the first side (48) of the airfoil (28). The second side section (60) defines at least a portion of the second side (50) of the airfoil (28).