Split Damped Outer Shroud for Gas Turbine Stator Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engine stator arrays require additional radial space for damping and supporting hardware, which can increase rotor thermal effects and inefficiencies due to the need for conventional split shrouds and additional hardware.
Innovation Solution
A split damped outer shroud with multiple stator vane airfoils extending between the split damped outer and inner shrouds, featuring split cuts and spacer keys that provide frictional movement and interference fit interfaces to dampen vibrations without additional hardware, allowing direct attachment of seal lands to the inner shroud and minimizing radial height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional split shrouds with additional damping hardware are used, then vibration damping is achieved, but radial space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the damping function directly into the outer shroud structure itself, eliminating the need for separate damping hardware. The split configuration of the outer shroud creates interference fit interfaces with the airfoils that provide damping while maintaining a compact radial profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer shroud serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, enables vibration damping through its split configuration and interference fit interfaces, and maintains sealing. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated damping components that would increase radial space.
2Reliability
If additional damping hardware is added to conventional split shrouds, then vibration damping is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damping function is merged into the outer shroud structure itself through the split configuration. This integration eliminates multiple separate damping components and their associated mounting hardware, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining effective vibration damping.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the damping function from separate hardware components and embeds it directly into the outer shroud structure. This extraction simplifies the overall device by removing unnecessary intermediate components and reducing assembly complexity.
3Reliability
If radial space is increased for conventional damping hardware, then vibration damping is achieved, but rotor thermal effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the damping function into the outer shroud structure, the patent eliminates the need for additional radial space that would otherwise be occupied by separate damping hardware. This compact integration prevents the increase in rotor thermal effects that would result from increased radial dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
A vane cluster includes a split damped outer shroud and an inner shroud spaced from the split damped outer shroud with a multiple of stator vane airfoils that extend between the split damped outer shroud and the inner shroud.