Rotor Blade Root Spacer Grip Element Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing root spacers in turbine engines have a large radial thickness due to threaded holes, which increases the overall size and weight of the fan assembly and reduces space for larger blade roots, and there is a need for an improved design that minimizes these issues.
Innovation Solution
A root spacer with a grip element and multiple notches that extend radially and longitudinally, allowing for a thinner radial thickness and easier removal during maintenance using a tool with clamping grip members, reducing the overall size and weight while maintaining structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If a threaded hole is included in the root spacer to facilitate removal, then ease of repair is improved, but the radial thickness increases, causing increased overall size and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the threaded hole from the root spacer design and replaces it with a groove feature. The groove provides sufficient engagement for removal tools while eliminating the need for a large threaded hole, thereby reducing radial thickness and weight while maintaining ease of repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameter of the removal feature from a threaded hole (requiring significant radial thickness) to a groove (requiring minimal radial thickness). This parameter change allows the spacer to be removed easily while minimizing impact on the overall size and weight of the fan assembly.
2Ease of repair
If a threaded hole is included in the root spacer to facilitate removal, then ease of repair is improved, but the radial thickness increases, reducing space for larger blade roots
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the threaded hole from the root spacer design and replaces it with a groove feature. The groove provides sufficient engagement for removal tools while eliminating the need for a large threaded hole, thereby reducing radial thickness and weight while maintaining ease of repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameter of the removal feature from a threaded hole (requiring significant radial thickness) to a groove (requiring minimal radial thickness). This parameter change allows the spacer to be removed easily while minimizing impact on the overall size and weight of the fan assembly.
3Weight of moving object
If the radial thickness of the root spacer is reduced, then the overall size and weight are decreased, but the structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating a groove at a specific location on the root spacer where it engages with the rotor disk. This localized feature provides the necessary structural engagement and strength without requiring the entire spacer to have increased radial thickness, thus maintaining overall lightweight design while ensuring structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly includes a rotor disk, a rotor blade and a root spacer. The rotor disk includes a slot that extends longitudinally into the rotor disk. The rotor blade includes a blade root arranged within the slot. The root spacer is arranged with the slot between the rotor disk and the blade root. The root spacer extends longitudinally to a spacer end, and includes a grip element and a plurality of notches. The grip element is arranged at the spacer end laterally between the notches. The grip element at least partially defines the notches. The notches extend radially and longitudinally into the root spacer.