Gas Turbine Engine Frame Composite Flowpath Load Transmission

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas turbine engine frames face challenges in efficiently transmitting mechanical and aerodynamic loads while minimizing weight, as they often rely solely on metallic materials which can be heavy and costly.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a composite flowpath made from carbon bismaleimide composite materials, which defines primary and secondary flowpaths, and a metallic inner and outer construction with struts and service tubes, allowing for the transmission of loads while reducing the structural strength requirements of the composite flowpath, thereby minimizing weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If all-metallic structures are used for the gas turbine engine frame, then structural strength and load transmission are ensured, but weight increases and material costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidframe weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by integrating a composite flowpath made from carbon bismaleimide composite materials with a metallic inner and outer construction. The composite flowpath defines primary and secondary flowpaths while working in conjunction with the metallic structures to transmit loads, thereby reducing the structural strength requirements of the composite portions and minimizing overall weight compared to all-metallic structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If all-metallic structures are used for the gas turbine engine frame, then structural strength and load transmission are ensured, but material costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidmaterial cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by integrating a composite flowpath made from carbon bismaleimide composite materials with a metallic inner and outer construction. The composite flowpath defines primary and secondary flowpaths while working in conjunction with the metallic structures to transmit loads, thereby reducing the structural strength requirements of the composite portions and minimizing overall weight compared to all-metallic structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Weight of moving object

If composite materials are used to reduce weight, then frame weight decreases, but the ability to transmit mechanical and aerodynamic loads may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframe weightVSAvoidload transmission capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by integrating a composite flowpath made from carbon bismaleimide composite materials with a metallic inner and outer construction. The composite flowpath defines primary and secondary flowpaths while working in conjunction with the metallic structures to transmit loads, thereby reducing the structural strength requirements of the composite portions and minimizing overall weight compared to all-metallic structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies multi-functionality by designing the composite flowpath to simultaneously define flowpaths for working fluid and work in conjunction with the metallic inner and outer construction to transmit engine mechanical loads. This integration allows the composite structure to serve multiple functions without compromising load transmission capability while minimizing weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10151219B2Gas turbine engine and frame

Publication Date: 2018.12.11 ROLLS ROYCE NORTH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

One embodiment of the present invention is a unique gas turbine engine. Another embodiment is a unique frame for a gas turbine engine. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for gas turbine engines and gas turbine engine frames. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.