Radially Fastened Fixed-Variable Vane System for Gas Turbine Engines
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Solution Overview
Problem
In gas turbine engines, the installation of fixed and variable vanes in split shroud manufacturing processes is challenging due to the need for significant modification of the fastening design to accommodate both types of vanes simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A gas turbine engine design featuring a fixed-variable vane system with radially fastened inner shrouds, including inner diameter boxes, shoes, and bushings, allows for simultaneous installation of fixed and variable vanes by using trunnions and bushings to secure the vanes within the flow path, enabling efficient assembly and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional split shroud manufacturing processes are used, then fixed and variable vanes can be installed separately, but significant modification to the fastening design is required to install both simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fastening mechanisms for fixed and variable vanes into a unified system. The inner diameter shoe serves as a common fastening component that simultaneously secures both fixed vanes (via clearance holes receiving trunnions) and variable vanes (via button holes receiving buttons), eliminating the need for separate fastening designs and modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner diameter shoe is designed as a multi-functional component that performs multiple fastening functions. It contains both clearance holes for fixed vane trunnions and button holes for variable vane buttons, making it a universal fastening element that handles both types of vanes without requiring additional specialized components.
2Reliability
If separate fastening designs are used for fixed and variable vanes, then each vane type can be secured independently, but assembly complexity increases and simultaneous installation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the separate fastening designs into a single integrated inner diameter shoe structure. This unified fastening system maintains reliable securing of both fixed and variable vanes while simplifying the overall assembly process, allowing simultaneous installation without the complexity of coordinating multiple independent fastening systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner diameter shoe acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the fixed and variable vanes and the outer diameter case. It provides a standardized interface for both vane types, translating their different fastening requirements (trunnions vs. buttons) into a common mounting mechanism on the case.
Data Source
AI summary
A split case assembly for a gas turbine engine includes an outer diameter case defining a partial case structure for a gas turbine engine and multiple fixed-variable vanes attached to an inner diameter surface of the outer diameter case. Each of the fixed-variable vanes protrudes radially inward from the outer diameter case. Each of the fixed-variable vanes in the plurality of fixed-variable vanes is interfaced with one of a plurality of inner diameter boxes at a radially inward end of the fixed-variable vane, such that the inner diameter boxes define an inner diameter of a flow path and the outer diameter case defines an outer diameter flow path. Each of the fixed-variable vanes are interfaced with the one of the plurality of inner diameter boxes through at least one inner diameter shoe in a plurality of inner diameter shoes.