Friction Damping Between Turbomachine Rotor Modules for Zero-Phase Vibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing damping systems for turbomachine rotor modules are ineffective in damping zero-phase vibration modes, which cause significant wear and reduce the lifespan of turbomachines due to coupled blade and shaft vibrations.

Innovation Solution

A damping device with external radial surfaces that frictionally couple rotor modules to dampen both zero-phase and non-zero phase shift vibrations, utilizing frictional support and additional sacrificial plates and coatings to enhance stability and adjust damping effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional damping systems are used between blade platforms, then non-zero phase shift vibrations are dampened, but zero-phase vibration modes remain ineffective

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamping effectivenessVSAvoidcoverage of vibration modes
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The damping device transitions from being confined between blade platforms (radial dimension) to extending axially between rotor modules, utilizing the axial dimension to create frictional contact surfaces that can dampen zero-phase vibrations involving the rotating shaft while maintaining effectiveness against non-zero phase vibrations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Strength

If blade flexibility is increased to reduce aeroelastic phenomena, then blade stress is reduced, but zero-phase vibrations with shaft coupling are amplified

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblade stress resistanceVSAvoidvibrational stability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The damping device acts as an intermediary element between rotor modules, providing frictional damping that mediates the coupled vibrations between flexible blades and the rotating shaft, dissipating energy from zero-phase vibration modes without restricting blade flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Effectively dampens both zero-phase and non-zero phase shift vibrations, enhancing the mechanical consistency and reducing wear, thereby extending the lifespan and operational safety of turbomachine rotor modules.

Implementation Method 1

a damping device (4) comprising a first external radial surface (41) bearing with friction against the first rotor module (2) and a second external radial surface (42) bearing with friction against the second rotor module (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4253763B1Damping device
Publication Date: 2026.02.04 SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES SAS
  • EP4253763B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4253763B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4253763B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

The invention relates to a damping device (4) having a first external surface (41) configured to bear with friction against a first rotor module (2) of a turbomachine and a second external surface (42) configured to bear with friction against a second rotor module (3) of the turbomachine so as to couple the rotor modules (2, 3) in order to dampen their respective vibratory movements in operation, the damping device (4) further having an internal surface (49), a notch (48) being provided at the level of the internal surface (49), the damping device (4) comprising two shoulders (470, 472) extending on either side of the notch (48).