Pivotable Vane Assembly Spar and Shell Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas turbine engines with fixed flow areas are optimized for a single flight point, limiting efficiency and adaptability, and existing variable area technologies do not effectively manage structural loads and high temperature environments.
Innovation Solution
A vane assembly with a pivotable spar made of a ductile material and a ceramic matrix composite shell, where the spar absorbs structural loads and the shell withstands extreme temperatures, allowing for adjustable rotational positioning to alter flow areas and improve efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed flow area vane is used, then the engine is optimized for a single flight point, but the adaptability and efficiency across different flight conditions are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the vane assembly adjustable through rotation of the shell relative to the spar. The shell can be positioned at different angular orientations (e.g., 0 degrees for high-speed flight, 15-30 degrees for low-speed flight) to dynamically change the flow area and optimize engine performance across different flight conditions. This transforms a static fixed-flow-area design into a dynamic adjustable design that adapts to varying operational requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a variable area vane is provided that rotates to alter flow area, then adaptability is improved, but the management of structural loads and high temperature environments becomes ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the vane assembly into two distinct functional components: the spar and the shell. The spar is made of ductile material (e.g., superalloy) to absorb structural loads such as bending moments and shear forces, while the shell is made of ceramic matrix composite to withstand extreme temperatures. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its respective function, with the spar handling mechanical loads and the shell handling thermal environments, thereby improving overall reliability while maintaining variable area capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies composite materials by combining two different material types with complementary properties: a ductile material (such as a superalloy like Inconel 718 or Hastelloy X) for the spar that provides structural strength and load-bearing capability, and a ceramic matrix composite for the shell that provides high-temperature resistance. This composite construction allows the assembly to simultaneously withstand both structural loads and extreme thermal environments while maintaining the ability to adjust the flow area through rotation.
3Temperature
If the shell is made of ceramic matrix composite for temperature resistance, then temperature withstand capability is improved, but the ability to absorb structural loads is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the vane assembly into two distinct functional components: the spar and the shell. The spar is made of ductile material (e.g., superalloy) to absorb structural loads such as bending moments and shear forces, while the shell is made of ceramic matrix composite to withstand extreme temperatures. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its respective function, with the spar handling mechanical loads and the shell handling thermal environments, thereby improving overall reliability while maintaining variable area capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies composite materials by combining two different material types with complementary properties: a ductile material (such as a superalloy like Inconel 718 or Hastelloy X) for the spar that provides structural strength and load-bearing capability, and a ceramic matrix composite for the shell that provides high-temperature resistance. This composite construction allows the assembly to simultaneously withstand both structural loads and extreme thermal environments while maintaining the ability to adjust the flow area through rotation.
4Strength
If the spar is made of ductile material to absorb structural loads, then structural strength is improved, but the temperature resistance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the vane assembly into two distinct functional components: the spar and the shell. The spar is made of ductile material (e.g., superalloy) to absorb structural loads such as bending moments and shear forces, while the shell is made of ceramic matrix composite to withstand extreme temperatures. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its respective function, with the spar handling mechanical loads and the shell handling thermal environments, thereby improving overall reliability while maintaining variable area capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies composite materials by combining two different material types with complementary properties: a ductile material (such as a superalloy like Inconel 718 or Hastelloy X) for the spar that provides structural strength and load-bearing capability, and a ceramic matrix composite for the shell that provides high-temperature resistance. This composite construction allows the assembly to simultaneously withstand both structural loads and extreme thermal environments while maintaining the ability to adjust the flow area through rotation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A component according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a shell defining an interior, a spar extending into the interior and a first flange attached to the spar. The spar is configured to pivot to change a positioning of the shell.