Outboard Guide Vane Insertion for Gas Turbine Serviceability

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for assembling and servicing gas turbine guide vanes are cumbersome and costly due to the need for internal access through the gas path, making maintenance difficult and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

An outboard insertion method for guide vanes is introduced, where vanes are inserted and secured from the exterior of the gas turbine engine, using guide vane housings to seal and attach them to the guide casing, allowing for easier replacement and control mechanisms without disassembling the engine modules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If guide vanes are assembled and accessed from the gas path inside the fan casing, then the vanes can be installed and serviced, but the servicing becomes difficult, costly, and time consuming due to limited access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveserviceability of guide vanesVSAvoidtime consuming maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional approach by inserting guide vanes from the outboard side (exterior of the fan casing) rather than from the gas path side (interior). This reversal of insertion direction provides easy access to the guide vanes for maintenance and replacement without requiring disassembly of engine modules or complex internal access procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of manufacture

If guide vanes are inserted through the gas path, then the vanes can be installed, but manufacturing complexity increases and servicing becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing involvednessVSAvoidassembly method complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the guide vane assembly into modular components that can be independently inserted from the outboard side. Each guide vane is a separate, self-contained unit that can be manufactured independently and installed without complex internal assembly procedures, thereby simplifying both manufacturing and maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If traditional internal assembly method is used, then guide vanes can be installed, but the system becomes difficult and costly to service

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional performanceVSAvoidserviceability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional approach by inserting guide vanes from the outboard side (exterior of the fan casing) rather than from the gas path side (interior). This reversal of insertion direction provides easy access to the guide vanes for maintenance and replacement without requiring disassembly of engine modules or complex internal access procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS9777584B2Outboard insertion system of variable guide vanes or stationary vanes

Publication Date: 2017.10.03 ROLLS ROYCE PLC

AI summary

A method of assembling a gas turbine engine comprising the steps of providing a casing having an insertion aperture in its outer surface. A guide vane is inserted through the insertion aperture. The guide vane is secured to the outer surface of the casing such that the guide vane can be serviced from an outer part of the casing.