Retaining Tab for Diffuser Seal Ring Axial Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face challenges in securely fastening annular rings within diffuser cases, particularly in preventing movement along the central longitudinal axis, as existing solutions like snap rings are prone to dislodgment due to high engine temperatures and mechanical stress.
Innovation Solution
A retaining tab system is introduced, where a first end of the tab is mounted to the annular ring and a second end engages the inner wall of the diffuser case, locking the tab and restricting movement. This system can include a secondary portion extending radially and a primary portion angled at an obtuse angle, with fasteners and a snap ring configuration to enhance stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a snap ring is used to secure the annular ring, then the annular ring is retained in the diffuser case, but the snap ring is prone to dislodgment due to high temperatures and mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining tab is divided into distinct functional portions: a primary portion that is angled relative to the annular ring and a secondary portion that extends radially outward to engage the diffuser case. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally, with the primary portion providing mounting attachment and the secondary portion providing retention engagement, thereby improving overall reliability while reducing dislodgment risk compared to a single snap ring structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining tab acts as an intermediary component between the annular ring and the diffuser case. Instead of directly securing the annular ring with a snap ring, the retaining tab is mounted to the annular ring and then engages with the diffuser case, providing a more stable and reliable connection that reduces dislodgment risk under high temperature and mechanical stress conditions.
2Reliability
If a retaining tab system is introduced to improve reliability, then the retention stability is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining tab combines multiple functions into a single integrated component: it serves as both the mounting attachment structure (primary portion) and the retention engagement structure (secondary portion). This merging of functions into one component achieves reliable retention stability while avoiding the need for multiple separate fastening elements, thereby not significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining tab is designed with multi-functionality, where the primary portion provides mounting attachment to the annular ring and the secondary portion provides engagement with the diffuser case. This universal design allows a single component to perform multiple retention functions, improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity compared to multi-component snap ring systems.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the primary portion area is made greater than the secondary portion area, then the mounting stability is improved, but the material usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining tab employs local quality by having different portion areas optimized for their specific functions. The primary portion has a greater area to provide stable mounting attachment to the annular ring, while the secondary portion has a smaller area sufficient for engagement with the diffuser case. This localized optimization achieves mounting stability without excessive material usage throughout the entire component.
Solution Approach 2:
The design changes the geometric parameters of different portions of the retaining tab. By making the primary portion area greater than the secondary portion area, the design optimizes the mounting stability parameter where it is most needed (at the annular ring attachment point) while reducing material usage in the secondary portion where less structural support is required for engagement.
Data Source
AI summary
An example diffuser assembly includes a diffuser case, an annular ring, and a retaining tab that is mounted to the annular ring and has an end that engages an inner wall of the diffuser case. The engagement between the second end and the inner wall locks the retaining tab and limits movement of the annular ring along a central longitudinal axis of the diffuser case. Another example diffuser assembly includes a diffuser case, an annular ring, and a snap ring. The snap ring is situated in an annular groove of an inner wall of the diffuser case, and restricts movement of the annular ring along a central longitudinal axis of the diffuser case. A retaining tab is affixed to either the annular ring or the diffuser case, and has an end retaining the annular ring in the annular groove.