Superelastic SMA Spacer for Fan Blade Out Vibration Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face severe vibrations and mechanical failures due to fan blade detachment events, which current containment structures do not adequately mitigate, leading to potential damage and performance issues.
Innovation Solution
A structural support system utilizing a spacer made from a super-elastic shape memory alloy that undergoes recoverable deformation during high loading conditions, such as a fan blade out event, and returns to its initial shape once the load decreases, maintaining component alignment and reducing vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional containment structures are used to prevent fan blade penetration, then basic safety is maintained, but severe vibrations and mechanical failures still occur during fan blade out events
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer utilizes super-elastic shape memory alloy material with temperature-dependent mechanical properties. Above the transformation temperature, the material exhibits super-elastic behavior with high recoverable strain capacity, allowing it to absorb impact loads and reduce vibrations during FBO events while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a composite structural system combining the super-elastic shape memory alloy spacer with traditional containment structures. The SMA spacer acts as a vibration-damping element that complements the rigid containment structure, creating a multi-functional system that provides both mechanical support and vibration reduction
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid containment structures are used to secure engine components, then structural stability is maintained, but vibration reduction capability during high loading conditions is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer transitions from a rigid component to a dynamic, adaptive element. During normal operation, it maintains structural stability through its super-elastic properties. During FBO events, it dynamically adjusts by undergoing large recoverable deformations to absorb vibrations, then returns to its original shape to restore proper component alignment
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical properties of the spacer change based on temperature parameters. Above the transformation temperature, the material exhibits enhanced super-elasticity with increased recoverable strain capacity, enabling it to effectively dampen vibrations while maintaining component alignment stability
3Strength
If traditional fastening systems are used to secure flanges, then basic structural support is provided, but the system cannot withstand extreme loading conditions without permanent deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The super-elastic shape memory alloy spacer exhibits temperature-dependent mechanical behavior. Above the transformation temperature, the material demonstrates enhanced super-elastic properties with significantly increased recoverable strain capacity, allowing it to withstand extreme loading conditions during FBO events without permanent deformation
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer is pre-configured with super-elastic properties that enable it to act as a cushioning element before extreme loads are applied. During FBO events, it absorbs impact energy through large recoverable deformations, protecting the fastening system from permanent damage
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 system effectively reduces vibrations and maintains component alignment during and after high loading conditions, enhancing the reliability and safety of gas turbine engines by absorbing and redistributing loads without causing permanent deformation.
Implementation Method 1
The body of the spacer is formed from a super-elastic shape memory alloy that allows the sidewalls to undergo recoverable deformation without failing when at or above a transformation temperature of the super-elastic shape memory alloy
Implementation Method 2
The sidewalls have an initial shape prior to undergoing deformation and are configured to undergo the recoverable deformation when a load transmitted through the sidewalls exceeds a first load threshold and recover back to the initial shape once the load drops below a second load threshold
Data Source
AI summary
Spacers, structural support systems that includes the spacers, and method of coupling components therewith are provided. The spacers may include a body having oppositely disposed ends, cylindrical sidewalls extending therebetween, and radially outward extending flanges at the ends. Inner surfaces of the sidewalls define a longitudinal bore with openings at each of the ends. The bore is configured to receive a shank of a fastener such that the body is secured between a head of the fastener and a structure to which the fastener is secured. The spacer is formed from a super-elastic shape memory alloy that allows for recoverable deformation without failing when at or above a transformation temperature thereof. The sidewalls have an initial shape prior to undergoing deformation, undergo the recoverable deformation when a load thereon exceeds a first threshold, and recover back to the initial shape once the load drops below a second threshold.