Multi-Radius Securing Plate for Turbo Engine Blade Axial Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing turbomachine blade securing mechanisms have a limited contact area between the locking plate and the groove, leading to potential damage from high surface pressure during vibratory movements, which reduces the service life and efficiency of the turbomachine.
Innovation Solution
A securing means with a curved outer contour having different radii is used to increase the contact area between the securing means and the groove wall, reducing surface pressure and the risk of damage, and incorporating an elastic design to dampen impacts and prevent self-locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking plate with a rounded shape is used to secure the blade axially, then the blade can be secured in the axial direction, but the contact area between the locking plate and the groove is small, leading to high surface pressure and potential damage to the groove wall
Solution Approach 1:
The locking plate is designed with a curved outer contour having different radii of curvature in different areas, replacing a simple rounded shape with a more complex multi-radius curvature profile that optimizes contact distribution across the groove wall, increasing the contact area and reducing surface pressure
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the locking plate's outer contour have different radii of curvature tailored to match specific regions of the groove wall, optimizing the contact area distribution locally across different zones of the groove to evenly distribute the load and reduce peak surface pressures
2Ease of manufacture
If the locking plate has a simple rounded shape, then the device is simple to manufacture, but the contact area is limited and damage risk increases under vibratory loads
Solution Approach 1:
The locking plate employs a curved outer contour with different radii that can be manufactured using standard forming processes while achieving superior contact characteristics, balancing manufacturing feasibility with enhanced reliability under vibratory conditions
3Reliability
If the contact area between the locking plate and groove is increased, then the surface pressure is reduced and damage risk is minimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The curved outer contour with different radii is achieved through conventional metal forming techniques, adding geometric complexity but not requiring additional components or assembly steps, thus limiting the increase in overall device complexity while achieving the reliability benefit
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 increased contact area and elastic design enhance the service life of the turbomachine by reducing the risk of damage and maintaining operational efficiency by minimizing high forces and self-locking issues.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating an elastic design to dampen impacts and prevent self-locking
Implementation Method 2
elastic design to dampen impacts
Implementation Method 3
An outer contour of the securing means, which faces the inner wall of the groove, in particular a groove base facing the groove, is curved at least in some areas, with the outer contour having different radii in some areas
Data Source
AI summary
The securing unit (20) i.e. securing plate, has a partially curved outer contour (24) facing toward a groove wall that is designed as a groove base (33). The outer contour includes different radii (R1-R3), where the first radius is arranged between the second and third radii, and the second radius is larger than the first and third radii. A section of the outer contour forms a securing unit-contact region (21) that is arranged in contact with a groove contact region (31) of the groove wall, where the securing unit includes an elastic material.