Non-integral Turbine Blade Platform Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional gas turbine engine designs face challenges in withstanding high temperatures and stresses due to thermal gradients between turbine blades and platforms, leading to potential degradation and reduced efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The design features non-integral turbine blade platforms that are separate from the rotor blades, constructed from materials like ceramic matrix composites or nickel-based superalloys, allowing for distinct temperature profiles and reduced stress, with interfaces located at the blade positions to encircle and support the blades.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If traditional integral turbine blade platforms are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but thermal stresses increase due to thermal gradients between blades and platforms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplatform-blade integrationVSAvoidthermal stress

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The turbine blade assembly is divided into separate integral and non-integral platform components. The platform is segmented into distinct sections that can be assembled around the blade, allowing independent thermal management and reducing thermal stress concentrations at the blade-platform interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stress or pressure

If non-integral turbine blade platforms are used, then thermal stresses are reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal stressVSAvoidplatform-blade integration

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The non-integral platform components are designed to nest around the turbine blade in a concentric arrangement. The platform sections fit together like nested dolls, with each section positioning itself around the blade to form a complete circular platform structure, simplifying the assembly process despite the multiple components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If platforms are designed to withstand high temperatures and stresses, then reliability is improved, but material selection is constrained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplatform durabilityVSAvoidmaterial selection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Different sections of the platform are designed with locally optimized qualities. The platform includes regions with different material properties or structural characteristics tailored to the specific thermal and mechanical conditions at each location, allowing optimal performance throughout the platform structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The platform incorporates composite material structures combining different materials to achieve both high-temperature resistance and stress durability. The composite construction allows selection of materials optimized for specific functions while maintaining overall structural integrity under extreme conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP2204544B1Non-integral turbine blade platform, corresponding turbine blade assembly and assembling method

Publication Date: 2022.03.30 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

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AI summary

A turbine blade platform (38) is disposed between two turbine blades (36). The platform (38) may include a first exterior side (52) configured to interface with a first turbine blade (36). The platform (38) also may include a second exterior side (54) disposed generally opposite the first exterior side (52) and configured to interface with a second turbine blade (36).