Thin Support Beams for Gas Turbine Vane Rail Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engine components experience inefficiencies due to improper sealing and structural deflections, leading to reduced engine efficiency and compromised component life, as existing seals fail to accommodate movement and allow cooling air leakage and high-energy gas flow.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of support beams between the forward and aft rails of vane platforms, which are thin in radial and circumferential directions to allow cooling flow and minimize weight, while reducing rail deflections and peak stresses through structural connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If support beams are made thicker to reduce rail deflections and peak stresses, then structural capability is improved, but cooling flow is blocked and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support beam thickness is optimized to specific parameter ranges (radial thickness ≤40% of total radial extent, circumferential thickness ≤30% of total circumferential extent) to achieve the balance between structural capability and cooling flow permission. These parameter changes ensure the beams provide necessary structural support while maintaining adequate cooling flow paths.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If support beams are made thicker to reduce rail deflections, then component life is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support beam dimensions are constrained to specific parameter ranges that minimize weight while providing sufficient structural support to reduce rail deflections and extend component life. The radial thickness being ≤40% and circumferential thickness being ≤30% of respective total extents optimizes the strength-to-weight ratio.
3Reliability
If seals are made more robust to improve sealing, then sealing capability is improved, but adaptability to relative movement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The seal design incorporates dynamic characteristics that allow it to adapt to relative movements between components while maintaining sealing capability. The seal can deform or adjust its position to accommodate thermal expansion and mechanical movement, ensuring continuous sealing performance under varying operating conditions.
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
This configuration enhances structural capability, reduces mechanical fatigue, and improves engine efficiency by preventing cooling air leakage and high-energy gas flow, thereby extending the life of vane assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
to define an unobstructed space to permit a cooling flow to flow into the vane assembly in a radial direction to provide cooling to the platform, the forward rail and the aft rail
Data Source
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AI summary
Vane assemblies (400; 500; 600) are described. The vane assemblies include a platform (402; 502; 602), an airfoil (410; 510; 610) extending from the platform, a forward rail (404; 504; 604) extending from the platform and arranged along a forward side of the platform, and an aft rail (406; 506; 606) extending from the platform and arranged along an aft side of the platform. At least one support beam (520; 512; 614a, 614b) is provided extending in a forward-aft direction between the forward rail and the aft rail and separated from the platform by a first distance. The at least one support beam has a thickness (T1) in a radial direction of 40% or less of a total radial extent (T2) from the platform to an outer diameter edge of at least one of the forward rail and the aft rail and the at least one support beam has a thickness (D1a, D1b) in a circumferential direction of 30% or less of a total circumferential extent (D2) of vane assembly.