Gas Turbine Support Ring Anti-Rotation Tabs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stator support rings in gas turbine engines face challenges in efficiently managing heat and rotation while maintaining optimal fluid flow and cooling, as existing designs may not adequately address the extreme heat conditions and fluid communication needs.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates cylindrical openings with specific diameters and spacings, radially extending anti-rotation tabs, and axially extending anti-rotation tabs to restrict rotation and enhance fluid flow, allowing for effective cooling and support of stator sections in gas turbine engines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the support ring includes multiple openings for fluid communication, then cooling efficiency is improved, but structural strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support ring is segmented with multiple discrete openings (e.g., 12-24 openings) distributed around its circumference rather than having a single large opening. Each opening has a controlled diameter (e.g., 0.25-0.5 inches) to balance cooling airflow with structural integrity. This segmentation allows the ring to maintain strength while providing adequate cooling pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The openings are strategically positioned at specific locations around the support ring where cooling is most needed, rather than uniformly distributing them. The radial extent of openings is optimized (e.g., extending 0.1-0.3 inches radially) to provide localized cooling effectiveness while minimizing impact on overall structural strength.
2Stability of the object's composition
If anti-rotation tabs are added to restrict stator rotation, then rotational stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-rotation tabs are integrated directly into the support ring structure as a unified component rather than being separate parts. The tabs extend radially from the support ring body and engage with corresponding features on the stator assembly, creating a combined structure that provides both support and rotational restriction functions without requiring additional separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The support ring serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the stator assembly, allows fluid communication through its openings for cooling, and restricts rotation through its integrated anti-rotation tabs. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A support ring (64) for a gas turbine engine (20) includes a main body portion (66) extending circumferentially about a center axis (A1), a radially extending portion (68) extending radially inward from the main body portion (66) and having a plurality of openings (70), and a plurality of anti-rotation tabs (82) extending radially inward from the main body portion (66) and axially spaced from the radially extending portion (68).