Gas Turbine Containment Using Energy-Absorbing Polyamide Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engine rotor failures can lead to uncontrolled ejection of high-energy components, posing a risk of damage to the aircraft fuselage and adjacent engines due to the inability of existing containment systems to effectively absorb and manage the resulting forces.
Innovation Solution
A containment system featuring a force-absorbing arrangement made of polyamide materials like para-aramid (e.g., Kevlar) that circumferentially surrounds the axial length of the engine, integrated with a casing and support members to absorb and distribute the forces of ejected components, preventing excessive deformation and ensuring containment within the nacelle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid containment structure is used to stop ejected components, then containment effectiveness is improved, but the structure experiences excessive force and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
A force-absorbing layer comprising energy-absorbing material is provided between the inner and outer skins of the nacelle casing. This layer is pre-positioned to absorb impact forces from ejected rotor components before they reach the outer skin, reducing the peak forces transmitted to the rigid containment structure and preventing structural damage while maintaining containment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The force-absorbing material changes its mechanical properties during impact by deforming and absorbing energy. The material transitions from a relatively rigid state during normal operation to a highly deformable state during impact, changing its energy absorption characteristics to match the impingement conditions and reduce transmitted forces.
2Force
If a force-absorbing material layer is added to the nacelle, then impact force absorption is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The force-absorbing layer is implemented as a thin film or layer of energy-absorbing material bonded between the inner and outer skins of the nacelle casing. This thin-film approach provides effective force absorption without significantly increasing the overall thickness or complexity of the nacelle structure, maintaining manufacturing feasibility while improving impact resistance.
3Reliability
If the force absorbing arrangement extends the full axial length of the engine, then coverage and protection are improved, but the amount of material and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The force-absorbing layer is provided at specific locations within the nacelle where impact forces are most likely to occur, such as around the rotor assembly and high-energy components. Rather than uniformly distributing the material throughout the entire axial length, the arrangement concentrates protection where it is most needed, reducing overall material usage and weight while maintaining effective coverage of critical areas.
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 system effectively absorbs and contains the forces of failed engine components, preventing damage to the aircraft and adjacent engines by distributing loads through support members and allowing radial deformation of the force-absorbing material, thereby maintaining structural integrity and safety.
Implementation Method 1
allowing radial deformation of the force-absorbing material
Implementation Method 2
force absorbing arrangement for absorbing the force exerted thereon by an ejected portion of a failed component
Data Source
AI summary
A containment system for a gas turbine engine comprises a force absorbing arrangement for absorbing the force exerted thereon by an ejected portion of a failed component of the engine. The force absorbing arrangement circumferentially surrounds a major proportion of the axial length of the engine.