Leak-Resistant Threaded Insert for Gas Turbine Fastener Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face challenges with fluid leakage due to the lack of effective sealing in fastener assemblies, which affects engine efficiency and fuel economy.
Innovation Solution
A leak-resistant threaded insert made from materials like nickel-chromium alloy, titanium alloy, or corrosion-resistant steel, featuring a flange and various shapes such as conical or square, is used in conjunction with a fastener assembly to provide a secure and sealed connection within the engine sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional fastener assemblies are used without sealing features, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but fluid leakage occurs which reduces engine efficiency and fuel economy
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged with the fastener assembly by integrating a seal member within the threaded insert structure. The seal member is positioned to engage with the mounting structure, creating a leak-resistant connection that combines fastening and sealing functions into a single integrated component.
Solution Approach 2:
A seal member acts as an intermediary element between the threaded insert and the mounting structure. This seal member prevents fluid leakage by creating a barrier interface, allowing the fastener assembly to maintain structural integrity while preventing fluid loss that would otherwise occur through the fastening interface.
2Reliability
If a leak-resistant threaded insert with seal member is added to the fastener assembly, then fluid leakage is reduced and engine efficiency is improved, but the ease of manufacture decreases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded insert is designed as a separate component that can be manufactured independently and then installed into the mounting structure. This segmentation allows the seal member to be integrated into the insert during insert manufacturing, rather than requiring complex multi-step assembly processes, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving leak resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded insert is designed to serve multiple functions: providing structural fastening through threading and providing sealing through the integrated seal member. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate sealing components and simplifies the overall manufacturing process by consolidating functions into a single versatile component.
Data Source
AI summary
A fastener assembly may be configured to mount structures in a gas turbine engine. The fastener assembly may comprise a fastener and a leak resistant insert. The leak resistant insert may be configured to at least partially reduce fluid leakage between the coupling of the fastener and the leak resistant insert. The leak resistant insert may comprise an outer surface opposite an inner threaded surface. The inner threaded surface may define an insert opening through leak resistant fastener insert, configured to receive the fastener. The outer surface may define an insert end enclosing the inner threaded surface opposite the insert opening.