Turbine Nozzle Singlet Alignment Fixture
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Solution Overview
Problem
The alignment of airfoil vanes in turbine nozzle assemblies is challenging due to inconsistencies caused by the grinding process, leading to variations in throat areas and potential engine performance issues.
Innovation Solution
A datum system assembly with a fixture, support members, locating features, and biasing members is used to accurately position and secure turbine nozzle singlets, ensuring consistent alignment and uniform throat areas between vanes during manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the grinding process is used to shape inner and outer band platforms, then the turbine nozzle assembly can be manufactured, but alignment inconsistencies occur between airfoil vanes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing a fixture assembly with support members and locating features before the brazing operation. The airfoil vanes are positioned and aligned on the fixture, which maintains their relative positions during the manufacturing process, preventing alignment inconsistencies that would otherwise occur during grinding and assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The fixture assembly acts as an intermediary device between the airfoil vanes and the final assembled product. It provides a stable reference framework with locating features that ensure precise alignment of the vanes relative to each other and to the inner and outer bands during the brazing process
2Reliability
If multiple airfoil vanes are used in turbine nozzle assembly, then durability and flow leakage resistance improve, but alignment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture assembly serves as an intermediary that manages the complexity of aligning multiple airfoil vanes. It provides standardized locating features and support members that guide the positioning of each vane, transforming a complex alignment task into a systematic process where each component is positioned relative to the fixture rather than requiring complex inter-component alignment
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the alignment process by providing individual support members and locating features for each airfoil vane position. This allows each vane to be positioned and secured independently on the fixture, simplifying the overall alignment process while maintaining the benefits of multiple vanes for improved durability and flow leakage resistance
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus enables a turbine nozzle, including at least two turbine nozzle singlets to be fabricated. Each singlet includes inner and outer bands and a vane extending therebetween. The vane also includes first and second sidewalls coupled together at a leading edge and a trailing edge. The apparatus comprises a fixture, and at least two support members extending from the fixture. Each support member has first and second abutment surfaces, wherein a first of the at least two support members contacts at least one of the leading and trailing edges of a first of the vanes. At least two locating features extend from the fixture, wherein a first of the locating features contacts one of the first and second sidewalls of the first vane. At least two biasing members are coupled to the fixture, wherein a first of the biasing members biases the first vane against the first locating feature.