Segmented Vane Assembly Thermal Expansion Trapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gas turbine engines face challenges in utilizing high-temperature materials for vane assemblies due to their low ductility, making them susceptible to damage from tensile stresses, and existing solutions do not effectively manage thermal expansion and compression to maintain radial compression during high-temperature operation.

Innovation Solution

A vane assembly design featuring inner and outer rings with a coefficient of thermal expansion differential, combined with segmented vane structures and springs, securely traps the vane structures in radial compression using friction-fit and interference-fit mechanisms, ensuring thermal stability and minimizing tensile stress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If high-temperature materials are used for vane assemblies, then temperature resistance is improved, but ductility deteriorates making them susceptible to damage from tensile stresses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature resistanceVSAvoidductility

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the stress state parameter from tensile to compressive by trapping the vane structures between inner and outer rings. This parameter change allows high-temperature materials with low ductility to be used effectively, as they can withstand compressive stresses but not tensile stresses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of thermal expansion into a beneficial compressive force. As temperature increases, the differential thermal expansion between the inner ring, outer ring, and vane structures generates additional radial compression, reinforcing the trapping mechanism and preventing tensile stress development.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional vane assemblies are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but thermal expansion management deteriorates failing to maintain radial compression during high-temperature operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidthermal expansion management

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent deliberately utilizes thermal expansion through differential coefficient of thermal expansion between the inner ring, outer ring, and vane structures. This design ensures that during high-temperature operation, the relative expansion generates and maintains radial compression on the vane structures, solving the thermal expansion management problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #37Thermal expansion

Solution Approach 2:

The vane structures are divided into segmented components that can be independently manufactured and assembled between the inner and outer rings. This segmentation allows for precise control of thermal expansion characteristics while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If radial compression is maintained during high-temperature operation, then structural integrity is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional trapping mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidtrapping mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions into the inner and outer rings: they serve as both structural containment elements and active thermal expansion management mechanisms. The rings simultaneously provide mechanical trapping and generate compressive forces through differential thermal expansion, reducing the need for additional separate trapping components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The trapping mechanism is self-regulating through differential thermal expansion. As temperature changes, the system automatically adjusts the compressive force on the vane structures without requiring external control systems or additional active components, thereby maintaining structural integrity while minimizing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 design allows for the use of high-temperature materials while reducing the risk of damage from tensile stresses, maintaining radial compression and structural integrity during high-temperature operation by leveraging thermal expansion differences and mechanical trapping mechanisms.

Implementation Method 1

The inner and outer rings have a coefficient of thermal expansion differential selected with respect to trapping the segmented vane structures in radial compression between the inner and outer rings

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentEP3009608B1Vane assembly with trapped segmented vane structures

Publication Date: 2019.10.30 UNITED TECH CORP

Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5B
Figure 6A~6B

AI summary

A vane assembly (60;... 560) includes inner and outer rings (62a, 62b; 162a, 162b), a plurality of segmented vane structures (64; 164) circumferentially-spaced around a central axis (A) and between the inner and outer rings (62a, 62b; 162a, 162b), and at least one spring (74;... 674) that mechanically traps the segmented vane structures (64; 164) in radial compression between the inner and outer rings (62a, 62b; 162a, 162b). Corresponding method for a vane assembly (60;... 560).