Thermal Blanket Transparent Window for Gas Turbine Inspection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thermal blankets for aircraft and engine components lack visual access for inspection and maintenance, despite providing heat resistance and fire retardation, and are not adequately adaptable to environmental stresses like oil or water exposure.

Innovation Solution

A thermal blanket design featuring a non-transparent portion with a transparent window made of high-temperature resistant material, such as fused silica glass, secured between barrier layers, allowing visual access to engine components while maintaining thermal insulation and protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a thermal blanket is made completely non-transparent to ensure thermal protection, then heat resistance is improved, but visual access for inspection and maintenance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat resistanceVSAvoidvisual access for inspection

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal blanket is segmented into multiple zones: non-transparent heat-resistant portions and transparent window portions. This segmentation allows different parts of the blanket to serve different functions - the non-transparent portions provide thermal protection while the transparent portions enable visual inspection of engine components underneath, resolving the contradiction between heat resistance and visual access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The thermal blanket applies local quality by having different optical properties in different regions. The transparent window portions are strategically placed at locations where visual inspection is needed, while other areas remain non-transparent for maximum thermal protection. This localized differentiation allows the blanket to simultaneously provide both thermal protection and visual access where required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If a thermal blanket is made flexible to adapt to engine components, then adaptability is improved, but structural integrity under thermal stress deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to engine componentsVSAvoidstructural integrity under thermal stress

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal blanket employs composite materials combining flexible substrates with heat-resistant and transparent materials. The flexible nature of the blanket material allows it to conform to various engine component shapes, while the composite structure with heat-resistant layers and transparent windows maintains structural integrity under thermal stress, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Temperature

If a thermal blanket covers the entire component for protection, then thermal protection is improved, but accessibility for maintenance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal protectionVSAvoidaccessibility for maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal blanket is segmented with transparent window portions positioned at locations that provide visual access to critical engine components. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to visually inspect components through the transparent portions without removing the blanket, maintaining thermal protection while improving accessibility for maintenance activities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transparent window portions act as intermediaries that allow visual inspection to occur through the thermal blanket itself. This intermediary function eliminates the need to remove the blanket for inspection, as the transparent portions serve as a medium through which visual access is achieved while maintaining the blanket's protective function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables safe visual inspection and maintenance of engine components without compromising thermal protection, improving adaptability to environmental stresses and facilitating easier access for various engine components.

Implementation Method 1

the transparent material of the transparent portion configured for allowing visual access to the engine component across the thermal blanket

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Implementation Method 2

a non-transparent portion having a thermal insulation layer sandwiched between barrier layers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS11162427B2Thermal blanket for gas turbine engine

Publication Date: 2021.11.02 PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP

AI summary

The thermal blanket can be used for shielding an engine component. The thermal blanket has a window providing visual access to the engine component. The thermal blanket can have a non-transparent portion having an opening extending across the thickness of the non-transparent portion, the opening delimited by an internal edge of the non-transparent portion, and a transparent portion of transparent material in the opening, the transparent portion secured to the internal edge of the non-transparent portion.