Turbine Bracket Expansion Slots for Thermal Stress
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing devices connecting a fixed turbine engine portion and a distributor foot in aircraft turbine engines experience significant thermal stress due to temperature gradients, leading to tilting and potential failure of the distributor foot, as the hotter areas expand outward and cooler areas retract inward, causing uneven stress distribution and reduced lifespan.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating expansion or retraction slots in the ring-shaped brackets and downstream metal sheets allows for modification of stress profiles within the device, reducing the tilting moment and wear on the distributor foot by accommodating temperature differences, thereby enhancing the robustness and longevity of the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the device uses a continuous ring-shaped bracket structure to connect the fixed portion and distributor foot, then the structural strength and sealing are improved, but the thermal stress and tilting moment increase due to temperature gradients causing expansion and retraction
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous ring-shaped bracket is segmented by introducing expansion slots that break the closed loop structure. This segmentation allows different portions of the bracket to independently expand or retract in response to thermal gradients, reducing the cumulative thermal stress and tilting moment while maintaining adequate structural strength through the distributed slot configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket structure is modified by changing its geometric parameters - specifically by introducing slots with controlled dimensions, positions, and orientations. These parameter changes enable the bracket to accommodate thermal expansion and retraction, transforming it from a rigid continuous structure to a flexible segmented structure that can adapt to temperature variations.
2Reliability
If the bracket is made continuous to maintain sealing between chambers, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the tilting moment and wear on distributor foot increase due to thermal expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is maintained by strategically positioning expansion slots away from critical sealing surfaces and using distributed slot configurations that preserve the overall continuity of the sealing path. The segmentation is designed to accommodate thermal movement without compromising the sealing effectiveness between upstream and downstream chambers.
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion slots act as intermediaries that absorb thermal expansion and retraction movements. By providing controlled deformation zones at specific locations, the slots mediate between the thermal stress generated by temperature gradients and the sealing requirements, allowing the bracket to flex without breaking the seal or transmitting excessive forces to the distributor foot.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the bracket structure is rigid to maintain positional stability, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the stress concentration and risk of failure increase under thermal loading
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket geometry is modified by introducing slots with specific dimensions, positions, and orientations that allow controlled thermal deformation. These parameter changes enable the bracket to maintain adequate positioning stability while accommodating thermal expansion and retraction, thereby reducing stress concentration and the risk of failure under thermal loading.
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
The introduction of slots in the brackets and metal sheets significantly reduces the tilting forces and stress on the distributor foot, minimizing wear and risk of failure, while maintaining a sealed environment to prevent fluid circulation and thermal gradients, thus enhancing the system's thermal robustness.
Implementation Method 1
the slot allowing expansion of the bracket tending to close the slot or retraction of the bracket tending to further open the slot under the effect of the difference in internal temperatures of the device
Data Source
AI summary
A device for connecting a fixed turbine engine portion and a distributor foot of a turbine engine turbine is provided. The device includes a ring-shaped body adapted so as to be connected and secured to the fixed turbine engine portion, and two ring-shaped upstream and downstream brackets secured to the body, both brackets being adapted so as to clamp the foot of the distributor. At least one bracket is interrupted by forming an expansion or retraction slot, the slot allowing an expansion of the bracket tending to close the slot or retraction of the bracket tending to further open the slot, under the effect of a difference in internal temperatures of the device.