Turbine Engine Accessory Box Thrust Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current turbomachines face challenges in integrating accessory boxes due to the complexity of absorbing thrust forces, which leads to bending issues and difficulties in the integration of bulky accessory boxes around engine casings, especially with existing thrust transfer rods.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating accessory boxes as part of the thrust take-up means, allowing them to participate in force absorption and providing a structural path between casings, with shorter and smaller section connecting rods, and utilizing V or U-shaped accessory boxes to minimize bulk and optimize space around the engine body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If accessory boxes are integrated around engine casings using conventional thrust transfer rods, then the engine can absorb thrust forces, but the integration becomes complex and bulky accessory boxes create space conflicts with existing thrust transfer rods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration of accessory boxesVSAvoidthrust transfer system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The accessory box is merged with the thrust transfer system by making the accessory box itself structurally connected to both the fan casing and intermediate casing. This combines two previously separate functions (accessory mounting and thrust transfer) into a single integrated structure, eliminating the need for separate thrust transfer rods and reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The accessory box is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it houses accessories, transfers thrust forces between casings, and provides structural support. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall engine structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Strength

If conventional thrust transfer rods are used to absorb engine thrust, then bending stresses on engine casings are reduced, but the connecting rods become long and large in section

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebending stress resistance of casingsVSAvoidconnecting rod dimensions
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The thrust transfer path is redirected through the accessory box structure, changing the spatial arrangement of the force transmission path. By utilizing the accessory box's position and structure, the effective lever arm is reduced and the force path is optimized, allowing for shorter and smaller connecting rods while maintaining adequate stress resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3066320B1Turbine engine provided with means for absorbing stresses from the thrust of the engine thereof
Publication Date: 2021.12.29 SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES SAS
  • EP3066320B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3066320B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3066320B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a turbine engine, comprising two structural annular casings (16, 22) connected to one another by means (40, 54) for absorbing stresses from the thrust of the engine, which include connecting rods (54), characterised in that said thrust-absorbing means also include at least one accessory gearbox (40) which is attached to a first one of said casings (16) and which is connected by said connecting rods to the other one of said casings (22).