Gas Turbine Stator Assembly Vane Retention and Damping

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas turbine stator assemblies lack ease of individual airfoil replacement or repair due to integral machined casting or welding configurations, and while disassemblable configurations lack rigidity and damping features.

Innovation Solution

A stator assembly with an outer and inner shroud, airfoil-shaped vanes, and a resilient retention ring that allows for radially inward engagement and easy disassembly, along with a filler block for vibration damping and repair flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If stators are manufactured as integral machined casting or welding configurations, then structural strength and rigidity are improved, but ease of repair and replacement of individual airfoils deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidease of airfoil replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The stator assembly is divided into separate modular components: individual airfoils can be independently removed and replaced within the stator assembly structure, eliminating the need to replace the entire stator when an airfoil is damaged

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of repair

If disassemblable stator configurations are used, then ease of repair and replacement is improved, but rigidity and damping characteristics deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of airfoil replacementVSAvoidrigidity and damping

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The stator assembly merges rigid structural components (stator assembly framework) with damping materials (damping compound) to achieve both structural integrity and vibration damping while maintaining disassemblability for repair

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If traditional stator configurations are used, then structural integrity is improved, but weight efficiency and assembly flexibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidweight efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The stator assembly uses composite construction combining rigid structural elements with damping compounds and resilient retention rings, achieving structural integrity while reducing overall weight compared to solid machined castings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 provides a rigid and well-damped stator assembly that is easily disassembled for repair or replacement, offering weight efficiency, flexible assembly, reduced vane static stresses, and enhanced vibration damping.

Implementation Method 1

an annular, resilient retention ring spring which engages the inner ends of the vanes and urges them in a radially inward direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

provides significant damping to endure potential vibrations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS8206100B2Stator assembly for a gas turbine engine

Publication Date: 2012.06.26 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

A stator assembly for a gas turbine engine includes: (a) an outer shroud having a circumferential array of outer slots; (b) an inner shroud having a circumferential array of inner slots; (c) a plurality of airfoil-shaped vanes extending between the inner and outer shrouds, each vane having inner and outer ends which are received in the inner and outer slots; and (d) an annular, resilient retention ring spring which engages the inner ends of the vanes and urges them in a radially inward direction.