Spring Loaded Airfoil Vane Pin Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implementing ceramic matrix composite (CMC) materials in gas turbine airfoils is challenging due to unique requirements for temperature resistance and oxidation resistance, as well as the need for precise assembly and load distribution to prevent damage from abrupt aero/g-loads.
Innovation Solution
A pin assembly with a spring housing, spring, pin, and boot that transfers spring force to adjacent components, along with a compression structure to compress the spring, ensuring load distribution and alignment of airfoil vanes, and a method of assembling vane assemblies using these components to absorb radial movement and loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If ceramic matrix composite materials are used in airfoils to achieve high temperature and oxidation resistance, then temperature resistance and oxidation resistance are improved, but assembly precision and load distribution become more difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
A spring assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the airfoil components, providing controlled radial movement and load distribution. The spring assembly includes a spring, housing, and retention features that work together to accommodate CMC airfoils during assembly and operation, preventing damage from abrupt aero/g-loads while maintaining the temperature and oxidation resistance benefits of CMC materials.
2Temperature
If ceramic matrix composite materials are used in airfoils to achieve high temperature and oxidation resistance, then temperature resistance and oxidation resistance are improved, but the complexity of the assembly structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring assembly integrates multiple functions into a single compact structure: the spring provides radial movement accommodation and load distribution, the housing contains and positions the spring, and the retention features secure the assembly to the airfoil. This merged design reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining the specialized functionality required for CMC airfoil assembly.
3Stability of the object's composition
If spring force is transferred to adjacent components to support and align airfoil vanes, then load distribution and alignment are improved, but the complexity of the pin assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pin assembly is segmented into distinct functional elements: a pin that transfers force, a boot that distributes the force to adjacent components, and a spring that provides the necessary force. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to achieve stable alignment and load distribution of the airfoil vanes.
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 solution effectively supports and aligns airfoil vanes during engine operation, reducing the risk of damage from loads and allowing for efficient temperature resistance, while maintaining sealing functionality and load distribution across the engine components.
Implementation Method 1
a spring situated in the spring housing, a pin having a first end configured to be received in the spring housing and to engage the spring
Implementation Method 2
a compression structure configured to compress the spring against the spring housing
Data Source
AI summary
A pin assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, among other possible things includes a spring housing, a spring situated in the spring housing, a pin having a first end configured to be received in the spring housing and to engage the spring, and a boot configured to receive a second end of the pin. The boot is configured to span a gap between first and second adjacent components and configured to transfer a spring force from the spring to the first and second adjacent components. A vane assembly and a method of assembling a vane assembly are also disclosed.