Radial Nose Cone Attachment via Aft Support Ring

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing nose cone designs for gas turbine engines require complex axial flange geometries for attachment, increasing production and manufacturing costs, while simpler radial attachment methods are less common.

Innovation Solution

A nose cone design featuring a conical spinner with an axially extending stepped portion and an annular aft support ring, secured with an interference fitting lip and flange, allowing radial attachment and maintaining concentricity through a frictional bond, with optional radial bolts and scalloped flange for easier assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If axial flange designs are used for nose cone attachment, then structural integrity and attachment reliability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidgeometry complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional axial attachment approach by implementing radial attachment of the nose cone to the fan hub. Instead of extending axially outward with complex flange geometries, the nose cone attaches radially through a simplified interface that leverages the existing rotational symmetry of the fan hub, reducing geometric complexity while maintaining attachment reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the attachment parameter from axial orientation to radial orientation. This parameter change fundamentally simplifies the geometry by eliminating the need for complex axial flange structures, while the attachment reliability is maintained through properly designed radial bonding interfaces and mechanical fastening features

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If axial flange designs are used for nose cone attachment, then attachment reliability is improved, but production time and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidproduction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting from axial to radial attachment, the manufacturing process is simplified. The radial interface allows for more straightforward machining, assembly, and quality inspection, directly improving production efficiency while maintaining the necessary attachment reliability through engineered radial bonding and fastening features

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Device complexity

If radial attachment is used for nose cone, then device complexity and manufacturing cost are reduced, but attachment reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegeometry complexityVSAvoidattachment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The radial attachment interface is segmented into distinct functional zones: a bonding surface for adhesive attachment, mechanical fastening features for structural reinforcement, and sealing surfaces for environmental protection. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function, ensuring high attachment reliability despite the simplified radial geometry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment system employs composite joining methods combining chemical bonding (adhesives) with mechanical fastening (fasteners or interference fits). This composite approach leverages the strengths of both methods to achieve high attachment reliability in the simplified radial configuration, preventing premature failure through redundant attachment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Productivity

If radial attachment is used for nose cone, then production time and manufacturing cost are reduced, but attachment reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidattachment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The radial attachment interface is segmented into distinct functional zones: a bonding surface for adhesive attachment, mechanical fastening features for structural reinforcement, and sealing surfaces for environmental protection. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function, ensuring high attachment reliability despite the simplified radial geometry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment system employs composite joining methods combining chemical bonding (adhesives) with mechanical fastening (fasteners or interference fits). This composite approach leverages the strengths of both methods to achieve high attachment reliability in the simplified radial configuration, preventing premature failure through redundant attachment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

Enables quicker and more efficient production with a less complex geometry, maintaining aerodynamic flow and structural integrity for radial attachment to the fan hub, reducing manufacturing costs and assembly time.

Implementation Method 1

the interference fitting lip is force-fitted over the interference fitting flange creating a frictional bond, which maintains concentricity between the spinner and the aft support ring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3058198B1Nose cone with an aft support ring for radial attachment

Publication Date: 2019.04.03 UNITED TECH CORP

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AI summary

A nose cone may have a spinner including a main portion and an axially extending stepped portion. The nose cone may also have an annular aft support ring radially secured to the axially extending stepped portion. The nose cone may further include a fairing, which may be secured to the stepped portion.