Rotor Blades with Pressure-Suction Passageways Mitigating Flutter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rotor blades in aircraft propulsion devices are prone to flutter, which can lead to damage and failure, potentially causing catastrophic results.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of passageways between the pressure side and suction side of rotor blades helps to mitigate or eliminate flutter by energizing low momentum air on the suction side, thereby reducing the risk of blade failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rotor blades are designed without passageways, then the structure is simpler and manufacturing is easier, but flutter occurs causing blade damage and failure
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor blade incorporates passageways that create a porous-like structure, allowing air to flow through the blade from the pressure side to the suction side. This porous configuration enables the blade to mitigate flutter by energizing low momentum air on the suction side, thereby improving reliability without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pneumatic principles by introducing passageways that allow air flow through the rotor blade structure. The pressurized air from the pressure side flows through the passageways to the suction side, creating a pneumatic system that actively counteracts flutter vibrations and improves blade reliability
2Use of energy by moving object
If rotor blades operate with low momentum air on the suction side, then energy consumption is lower, but flutter is generated causing vibrations and potential failure
Solution Approach 1:
The passageways act as an intermediary mechanism that introduces higher momentum air from the pressure side to the suction side. This intermediary air flow energizes the low momentum air on the suction side, preventing flutter while maintaining overall energy efficiency of the system
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the momentum parameter of the air on the suction side by introducing air from the pressure side through passageways. This parameter change energizes the low momentum air, preventing flutter vibrations and improving blade stability without significantly increasing energy consumption
3Manufacturing precision
If rotor blades have longer engine inlets, then distortion tolerances are improved, but the overall device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the potentially harmful effect of uncertain airflow conditions into a benefit by using passageways to actively manage air flow through the blade. This allows the system to achieve improved distortion tolerances without requiring longer inlets, as the passageways provide active control over the airflow quality
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
This solution effectively reduces or eliminates flutter in rotor blades, improving distortion tolerances and allowing for shorter engine inlets, while maintaining efficiency and reducing the risk of engine failure.
Implementation Method 1
Flutter refers to vibrations that are created in the blade by low momentum air moving about one or more surfaces of the blade
Implementation Method 2
one or more passageways extending through the elongated body between the pressure side and the suction side, the one or more passageways allowing a corrective flow of air to move from the pressure side to the suction side
Data Source
AI summary
A rotor blade comprises an elongated body that has a pressure side and a suction side. The pressure side and suction side intersect at a leading edge and a trailing edge. The elongated body extends outward from a rotor hub. A span is described by a first straight line distance extending outward from the rotor hub along the elongated body. A chord of the elongated body is defined by a second straight-line distance extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge. At least one passageway extends through the elongated body between the pressure side and the suction side allowing a corrective flow of air to move from the pressure side to the suction side. The corrective flow of air interacts with and energizes low momentum airflow occurring along the suction side.