Pivotable Containment Member for Rotor Tension Stud Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gas turbine engine rotor assemblies face high separation forces during operation, posing a risk of injury to assembly workers due to potential component failures and requiring costly, time-consuming non-destructive testing and oversized components with high safety factors, as well as expensive robotic assembly solutions.

Innovation Solution

A tool assembly with a safety apparatus featuring a pivotable containment member and catch mechanism to restrain energy releases from tension stud failures, allowing for safe application of loads without redesigning existing components, and including a removable insert and measurement apparatus for precise tension application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high factor of safety is applied to each component, then reliability is improved, but weight and size of each component increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidcomponent weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The safety function is segmented from the main tool components and embodied in a separate containment structure. This allows the primary tool components to maintain their original design without excessive safety margins, while the dedicated containment structure provides the necessary safety capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The containment structure is designed beforehand to absorb and contain potential energy release from component failure. This pre-positioned safety mechanism allows the main components to be optimized for their primary function without requiring excessive safety factors that would increase their weight and size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If high factor of safety is applied to each component, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidcomponent complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The safety function is separated into a distinct containment structure rather than being integrated into multiple tool components. This segmentation simplifies the overall system by concentrating safety requirements into a single dedicated structure, reducing the complexity of individual components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The containment structure acts as an intermediary safety mechanism between the tool components and the surrounding environment. This mediator approach allows the primary tool components to remain relatively simple while the containment structure handles the safety function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If robotic assembly is used, then safety is improved by avoiding operator interaction, but expense increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator safetyVSAvoidassembly cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A containment structure is incorporated into the manual tool assembly to catch and contain potential energy release from component failure. This beforehand safety provision allows operators to work manually without requiring expensive robotic automation, achieving safety through engineering controls rather than automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Reliability

If regular non-destructive testing is performed, then reliability is improved, but assembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent reliabilityVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The containment structure provides a passive safety mechanism that does not require time-consuming non-destructive testing of each component. By incorporating this beforehand safety provision, the system achieves high reliability without the need for extensive testing protocols that would extend assembly time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The safety apparatus significantly reduces the risk of injury and equipment damage from energy releases, avoids the need for costly redesigns, and allows for efficient, precise tension loading with reduced assembly time and component size and weight.

Implementation Method 1

a containment member (152) configured to pivot about a pivot location (150)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical rotation:

Implementation Method 2

the catch (156) is engaged with a lip (132) of a disc (118) of the rotor assembly to position the retaining arm (154) in a containment position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical engagement:

Data Source

PatentEP3874127B1Tool assembly and corresponding method for containing an energy release from a tension stud of a rotor assembly

Publication Date: 2024.12.04 SIEMENS ENERGY GLOBAL GMBH & CO KG

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AI summary

There is provided a safety apparatus (128) for containing a release of energy from a tension stud (108, 208) of a rotor assembly (100, 200), the safety apparatus (128) including a containment member (152) configured to pivot about a pivot location (150), the containment member (152) including a retaining arm (154) located on a first side of the pivot location (150) and a catch (156) located on a second side of the pivot location (150), wherein the containment member (152) is movable about the pivot location (150) to a first position in which the catch (156) is engaged with a lip (132, 232) of a disc (118, 218) of the rotor assembly (100, 200) to position the retaining arm (154) in a containment position.