Integrated Stator Vane Liner and Damper Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine stator assemblies with unsupported airfoils at the inner diameter are susceptible to vibrations, and existing damping configurations do not adequately address this issue, particularly in stator assemblies without inner shrouds.
Innovation Solution
The stator assembly incorporates first and second attachment liners with integral damper springs, which engage the outer case and stator vanes to provide radial biasing and damping, utilizing a recess with a bottom wall and anti-rotation features to stabilize and align the stators, while the damper springs engage the outer case to dampen vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If stator segments are arranged without inner shrouds to simplify structure, then device complexity is reduced, but vibration stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment liner and damper spring are merged into a single integrated component. The liner body serves as the damper spring structure, combining the attachment function (securing stator segments to the outer case) with the damping function (reducing vibrations of unsupported airfoils). This eliminates the need for separate inner shrouds while maintaining vibration stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment liner performs multiple functions simultaneously: it attaches stator segments to the outer case, dampens vibrations of unsupported airfoils, and provides structural support. This multi-functional design replaces the need for separate inner shroud components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining stability.
2Reliability
If attachment liners are used to protect outer case from wear, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment liner and damper spring are combined into one integrated component. The liner body provides wear protection for the outer case while its configured structure (with legs and bends) provides the damping function. This merging eliminates the need for separate damper springs, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple separate components (liners and springs) are used to provide damping, then vibration damping is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment liner and damper spring are manufactured as a single integrated component. The liner body includes integrated legs and bends that form the damper spring structure. This eliminates the need for separate assembly steps to install both liners and springs, significantly improving ease of manufacture while maintaining effective vibration damping.
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 stabilizes and dampens vibrations in the stator assembly, ensuring structural integrity and reducing wear by using a combination of attachment liners and damper springs that bias and align the stators radially, enhancing the operational stability of the gas turbine engine.
Implementation Method 1
The stator assembly incorporates first and second attachment liners with integral damper springs, which engage the outer case and stator vanes to provide radial biasing and damping
Implementation Method 2
the damper springs engage the outer case to dampen vibrations
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A stator subassembly (121) includes an array of circumferentially arranged stator vanes (29). An attachment liner (100, 102) secures the stator vanes (29) to one another to provide the subassembly (121). A damper spring (104, 106) is integral with the attachment liner (100, 102) and is provided between the array (29) and an outer case (28), which supports the array (29). The damper spring (104, 106) is configured to bias the array (29) radially inwardly from the outer case (28).