Non-Rotating Spacer With Partial Slots for Gas Turbine Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in maintaining an axial space between two joined parts while allowing fluid communication and preventing rotation, particularly in gas turbine engines.
Innovation Solution
A non-rotating spacer with slots and lugs is used to maintain an axial space between two parts, featuring slots that do not extend through the entire surface and lugs that prevent rotation, allowing for manual assembly without tools and ensuring fluid communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spacer is used to maintain axial space between two joined parts, then fluid communication between cavities is enabled, but rotation of the spacer may occur causing surface wear and misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer incorporates asymmetric features including non-radially spaced slots and a lug positioned adjacent to one slot, creating an asymmetric configuration relative to the radial direction. This asymmetry prevents rotation by ensuring the spacer can only be installed in one specific orientation, thereby eliminating surface wear and misalignment issues while maintaining reliable fluid communication between cavities.
2Ease of operation
If traditional spacers are used, then axial separation is maintained, but tool assistance is required for assembly increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is designed with features that enable self-alignment and self-installation during assembly. The asymmetric slot and lug configuration automatically orients the spacer correctly as it is inserted between the two parts, eliminating the need for external tools or complex alignment procedures. The spacer essentially installs itself in the correct position and orientation, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining the required axial separation.
3Reliability
If slots extend through the entire surface of the spacer, then fluid communication is maximized, but structural strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The slots are segmented to extend only partially through the thickness of the spacer rather than completely through. This segmentation allows the slots to provide adequate fluid communication pathways between cavities while leaving sufficient material intact to maintain the structural strength and rigidity of the spacer. The partial penetration creates a balance between fluid flow requirements and structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-rotating spacer for use in a mating part of a gas turbine engine, including: a ring of material having a first contact surface and a second contact surface, the first contact surface being opposite to the second contact surface, the ring of material also having an inner ring surface and an outer ring surface; a pair of slots located in the first contact surface, the pair of slots extending from the inner ring surface to the outer ring surface, the pair of slots do not extend though to the second contact surface such that the pair of slots are defined by three surfaces of the ring of material; and at least one lug protruding radially outward from the outer ring surface, the at least one lug being located adjacent to one of the pair of slots.