Gas Turbine Containment Ring with Energy Dissipating Gap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engine core cases face a challenge in balancing blade containment with the need for low weight and high strength, as thicker cases to prevent blade penetration increase engine weight and reduce efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A containment ring with a gap between the core case and the containment ring, filled with a containment layer such as a plating layer, shape memory alloy, or weave layer, which dissipates energy from radial impacts to improve blade and fragment containment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the core case thickness is increased to improve blade containment, then containment capability is improved, but engine weight increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The core case is segmented into multiple functional layers: an outer containment case and an inner energy dissipating layer. This segmentation allows the containment function to be separated from the primary structural function, enabling the outer case to be thinner while maintaining containment capability through the combined action of the layered structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material structure combining the outer containment case with an inner energy dissipating layer made of specialized materials (such as viscoelastic materials, foam materials, or granular materials). This composite structure provides enhanced energy absorption and blade containment capability while keeping the overall weight lower than a monolithic thick case would require.
2Strength
If the core case thickness is increased to prevent blade penetration, then containment is improved, but structural efficiency decreases due to added weight
Solution Approach 1:
The inner energy dissipating layer is positioned beforehand between the outer containment case and the engine core, creating a cushioning effect that absorbs impact energy from potential blade strikes. This pre-positioned energy dissipation mechanism provides penetration resistance without requiring the outer case to be excessively thick.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy dissipating layer acts as an intermediary between the outer containment case and the engine core, absorbing and redirecting impact forces. This intermediary layer protects the core case from direct blade impacts, reducing the structural thickness required for penetration resistance.
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 containment layer effectively absorbs and redirects impact energy, enhancing containment of liberated blades and fragments within the core assembly while maintaining structural integrity and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A containment layer is disposed in the gap and configured to dissipate energy from radially projecting impacts
Implementation Method 2
The containment layer effectively absorbs and redirects impact energy
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4B
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A gas turbine engine includes a containment ring to contain liberated compressor and turbine blades and blade fragments within a core assembly. The combination of a containment gap between the core case and the containment ring and a containment layer disposed in the gap helps dissipate the energy generated by loose body impacts on the core assembly. The containment layer deforms, deflects, and/or redirects the impact energy acting in a radial direction, thereby to improve containment.