Ring-Shaped Compliant Support for Gas Turbine Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In gas turbine engines, stationary components like vanes and blade outer air seals experience uneven wear due to varying thermal energy levels across circumferential positions, leading to potential damage from hot spots.
Innovation Solution
A ring-shaped compliant support system with an annular case and an adjustment member, where the adjustment member expands at a higher rate than the annular case, causing the support to rotate and redistribute thermal stress, thereby minimizing wear by moving stationary components through thermal cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If stationary components are positioned in hotter circumferential locations, then thermal energy exposure increases, but uneven wear and damage from hot spots worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is designed to rotate slowly about the central axis, transforming a static component into a dynamic one. This rotation allows stationary components to periodically change their circumferential position, moving through both hotter and cooler zones, thereby distributing thermal exposure more uniformly and preventing localized hot spot damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure utilizes differential thermal expansion between the annular case and the adjustment member to convert thermal energy into rotational motion. The adjustment member expands at a higher rate than the annular case when exposed to thermal energy, causing the support to rotate and redistribute thermal stress across all circumferential positions.
2Speed
If the adjustment member expands more quickly than the annular case, then rotational movement is initiated, but structural stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention exploits the difference in thermal expansion coefficients between the adjustment member and the annular case. When thermal energy is applied, the adjustment member expands more quickly than the annular case, generating a differential expansion force that initiates and sustains slow rotation. This thermal-driven mechanism provides controlled motion while maintaining structural integrity through the inherent mechanical connection between components.
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 compliant support system reduces uneven wear and extends the lifespan of gas turbine engine components by allowing non-rotating parts to experience even thermal expansion, lessening damage from hot spots and promoting uniform wear.
Implementation Method 1
the adjustment member and the annular case have different rates of thermal expansion, such that the adjustment member expands more quickly than the annular case in response to thermal energy
Data Source
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AI summary
A ring-shaped compliant support for a gas turbine engine includes, among other things, an annular case, and an adjustment member that will turn relative to the annular case if exposed to thermal energy.