Stator Vane Support Anti-Rotation Lugs Thermal Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas turbine engine components face operational challenges due to high thermal loads and pressure ratios, leading to reduced operational life, particularly in the high-pressure turbine section where stator vanes experience thermal expansion and rotation issues.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a stator vane support system with anti-rotation features, including thermal growth recesses and anti-rotation lugs, which allow for controlled thermal expansion and prevent rotation of stator vanes, maintaining structural integrity and extending component life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the stator vane support structure is made thicker to maintain structural integrity under high thermal loads, then strength and reliability are improved, but the weight and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vane support structure is segmented into discrete vanes with individual thermal growth recesses, allowing each vane to expand independently while maintaining overall structural integrity. This segmentation enables thinner individual components that collectively provide the required strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different thickness requirements to different regions of the vane support structure. The anti-rotation lug interfaces and recess areas are designed with specific minimum thicknesses (e.g., 0.035 to 0.050 inches) only where structurally necessary, while other areas can be thinner, optimizing the weight-strength balance.
2Weight of moving object
If the stator vane support is made thinner to reduce weight, then weight is reduced, but structural integrity and reliability deteriorate under high thermal loads and pressure ratios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies minimum thicknesses (0.035 to 0.050 inches) for critical regions such as anti-rotation lug interfaces and thermal growth recess areas, ensuring structural integrity where thermal and mechanical loads are highest, while allowing thinner sections elsewhere to reduce overall weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-rotation lugs and recesses are pre-configured with specific geometric features and minimum thicknesses designed to prevent rotation before it occurs under thermal expansion conditions, ensuring reliability is maintained from the outset of operation.
3Reliability
If anti-rotation features are added to prevent stator vane rotation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-rotation functionality is merged into the existing vane support structure by integrating anti-rotation lugs and recesses with the thermal growth accommodation features. This combination eliminates the need for separate anti-rotation mechanisms, maintaining reliability while minimizing added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-rotation lugs and recesses serve multiple functions: they prevent stator vane rotation, accommodate thermal expansion, and maintain structural integrity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, keeping the overall device complexity low while improving reliability.
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 limits stator vane rotation and accommodates thermal expansion, enhancing the operational life and efficiency of gas turbine engine components by maintaining minimum thicknesses in the vane support structure.
Implementation Method 1
stator vanes experience thermal expansion and rotation issues
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A stator vane support (100) with anti-rotation features is provided. The stator vane support (100) may comprise an inner diameter surface (105) opposite an outer diameter surface (107). The stator vane support (100) may comprise an anti-rotation lug (110) defining a protrusion extending inward from the inner diameter surface (105). The stator vane support (100) may have a first recess (120) defining a first void on the inner diameter surface (105) proximate a first surface (112) of the anti-rotation lug (110). The stator vane support (100) may have a second recess (130) defining a second void on the inner diameter surface (105) proximate a second surface (113) of the anti-rotation lug (110). The anti-rotation lug (110) may be configured to interface with a stator vane (180) to at least partially limit circumferential movement, and each recess (120, 130) may be configured to allow the stator vane (180) to thermally expand during gas turbine engine operation.