Rotatable Full Ring Fairing Wear Redistribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Turbine engine full ring fairings, constructed as single monolithic pieces, are limited by hot spots that cause uneven wear, leading to premature replacement despite the remainder of the fairing being still serviceable.

Innovation Solution

A rotatable full ring fairing design with keyed features allows for periodic rotation during maintenance, redistributing wear across the component, thereby extending its lifespan.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a full ring fairing is constructed as a single monolithic piece, then structural integrity and simplicity are improved, but the component lifespan is reduced due to uneven wear at hot spots

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidcomponent lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The fairing is divided into multiple replaceable segments or sections that can be independently removed and replaced. This allows the worn portions at hot spots to be replaced while retaining the remaining serviceable segments, thereby extending the overall component lifespan while maintaining structural integrity through the modular design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the entire full ring fairing is replaced when wear at hot spots exceeds threshold, then reliability is maintained, but material loss and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewear threshold complianceVSAvoidmaterial loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The fairing is segmented into replaceable sections, allowing only the worn portions at hot spots to be replaced rather than the entire component. This maintains reliability by ensuring worn areas are replaced while minimizing material loss by retaining serviceable segments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of discarding the entire fairing when hot spots wear, the serviceable portions are recovered and retained while only the worn segments are replaced. This reduces material loss and waste while maintaining the required reliability standards

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Ease of manufacture

If the full ring fairing is designed as a single integral component, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability is reduced due to inability to redistribute wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidwear redistribution capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The fairing is designed as segmented modules that can be independently manufactured and then assembled. This maintains manufacturing simplicity for each segment while enabling adaptability through the ability to rotate, replace, or redistribute segments to manage wear patterns across different operational conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If keyed features are added to enable rotation, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation capabilityVSAvoidkeyed feature structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Asymmetric keyed features are incorporated into the fairing segments and corresponding mounting structures. These keyed features provide guided rotation and proper orientation while maintaining relatively simple structural additions. The asymmetry ensures correct installation orientation and enables rotational movement without requiring complex mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS10280798B2Rotatable full ring fairing for a turbine engine

Publication Date: 2019.05.07 RTX CORP

AI summary

A turbine engine includes a full ring fairing having at least a first and second keyed feature. The full ring fairing is rotatable so that the second keyed feature is in the first keyed feature position relative to the turbine engine.