Turbomachine Propeller Blade Retaining Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional aircraft turbomachine propellers with open rotors face high risks of blade uncoupling due to foreign object impacts or structural failures, leading to potential damage from debris striking the fuselage.
Innovation Solution
A blade-retaining device with moving retaining means that occupy either a retracted or deployed position, activated by centrifugal force, providing a stop to prevent radial displacement of blades during propeller rotation, thus minimizing the risk of uncoupling and maintaining blade position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional holding means are used to secure the blade on the hub, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of blade retention deteriorates under foreign object impact or fatigue conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining device employs movable retaining means that can transition between retracted and deployed positions. During normal operation, the retaining means are retracted to avoid interference. Upon detection of abnormal conditions (foreign object impact, fatigue crack, corrosion), the retaining means deploy to lock the blade securely, providing dynamic adaptation to changing operational states and significantly improving retention reliability without permanently increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade-retaining device is pre-positioned within the blade structure with retaining means ready to deploy. Detection means are continuously monitoring for abnormal conditions before failure occurs. This preliminary preparation ensures that when foreign object impact or structural degradation is detected, the retaining device can immediately activate to prevent blade release, rather than requiring complex post-failure intervention systems.
2Reliability
If a blade-retaining device with moving retaining means is implemented, then the reliability of blade retention is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention integrates multiple functions into a unified blade-retaining device structure. The detection means, moving retaining means, and stationary components are merged into a cohesive system where the retaining device serves both normal operational support and emergency retention functions. This consolidation improves reliability through coordinated operation of integrated components while avoiding the complexity of separate independent systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade-retaining device incorporates self-activating capabilities through detection means that automatically trigger the deployment of retaining means when abnormal conditions are detected. The system serves itself by monitoring its own operational state and initiating retention actions without requiring external intervention or complex control systems, thereby improving reliability while minimizing the complexity of control architecture.
3Reliability
If the moving retaining means are always in the deployed position, then the blade retention reliability is maximized, but the ease of operation for blade assembly and disassembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining means are designed to be dynamically positioned rather than permanently fixed. During normal blade operation, the retaining means remain in a retracted position that allows easy blade assembly and disassembly. When abnormal conditions are detected, the retaining means automatically transition to a deployed position to provide secure retention. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by providing high reliability only when needed, while maintaining operational ease during normal maintenance activities.
4Ease of operation
If the moving retaining means are kept in the retracted position, then the ease of operation for blade maintenance is improved, but the reliability of blade retention deteriorates under abnormal conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The blade-retaining device is pre-configured with retaining means in a retracted position during normal maintenance operations, allowing easy blade assembly and disassembly. However, detection means are continuously monitoring for abnormal conditions. When foreign object impact, fatigue crack, or corrosion is detected, the system preliminarily prepares for retention by deploying the retaining means before blade failure occurs. This preliminary action ensures both maintenance ease during normal operations and high reliability when abnormal conditions arise.
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 blade-retaining device effectively prevents blade uncoupling and debris impact damage by forming a stop only when necessary, maintaining blade position and ensuring propeller integrity during operational conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the said moving retaining means are able to be moved from the said retracted position to the said deployed position by the centrifugal force resulting from the rotation of the blade around the propeller's said axis of rotation
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft turbomachine propeller including multiple blades assembled on a hub rotating around an axis of rotation of the propeller, that can reduce risks of loss of the blade following impact of a foreign body. At least one blade includes a recess opening radially towards the inside in the area of the base of this blade. A retaining device includes a moving retaining mechanism positioned in the recess and configured to be moved from a retracted position to a deployed blade-retaining position, and vice versa.