Integrally Formed Turbine Engine Support Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing turbine engine support arms are complex to fabricate due to multiple parts, requiring precision machining and increasing the risk of defective assembly, which leads to higher maintenance costs and potential loosening during use.
Innovation Solution
The support arms are formed using the resin transfer process with dry carbon fibre and resin, cured in an autoclave, resulting in integrally formed arms with varying cross-sections and hollow structures, reducing the need for fasteners and optimizing strength and aerodynamics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If multiple parts are assembled to form support arms, then structural integrity can be maintained, but device complexity and manufacturing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate support arm parts into a single integrated component. The support arm is formed as one piece with the fairing, eliminating the need for multiple separate parts and assembly operations while maintaining structural integrity through the continuous composite structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The support arm is constructed using composite materials (carbon fiber reinforced polymer) that provide high strength-to-weight ratio. The composite structure allows for integrated design where multiple functions are combined in a single component, reducing part count while maintaining or improving structural performance.
2Strength
If multiple parts are assembled to form support arms, then structural integrity can be maintained, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple parts into a single integrated support arm structure, the patent eliminates the need for precision machining and alignment between separate components. The monolithic composite structure is manufactured as one piece, removing accumulation of tolerances and the need for precision assembly operations.
3Strength
If multiple parts are assembled to form support arms, then structural integrity can be maintained, but assembly time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple support arm components into a single integrated part that is manufactured and installed as one unit. This eliminates all assembly operations between separate parts, significantly reducing assembly time and improving productivity while maintaining structural integrity through the unified design.
4Strength
If multiple parts are assembled to form support arms, then structural integrity can be maintained, but reliability decreases due to more connection points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate parts into a single integrated support arm, eliminating connection points between parts. This monolithic structure removes potential failure modes associated with connections, fasteners, and assembly defects, thereby improving reliability while maintaining structural integrity through the continuous composite design.
5Strength
If traditional assembly methods are used for support arms, then structural integrity can be maintained, but maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated support arm design merges multiple components into one replaceable unit. If failure occurs, the entire assembly can be replaced as a single component rather than repairing or replacing multiple separate parts, simplifying maintenance procedures and reducing overall maintenance costs despite the integrated structure.
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
This method simplifies the fabrication process, reduces the risk of defective assembly, and minimizes weight while maintaining structural integrity and aerodynamic efficiency, thereby lowering maintenance costs and preventing part loosening.
Implementation Method 1
The support arms are formed using the resin transfer process with dry carbon fibre and resin
Implementation Method 2
cured in an autoclave
Data Source
AI summary
A turbine engine support including a pair of arms for use in an arrangement of an engine having an inner case, an outer case and an interim fairing, the engine support arms comprising integrally formed arms arranged to extend from the outer case to the inner case and to be connected to the cases by a first and second end region respectively, and with an intermediate region of the pair of arms arranged to extend through the fairing, the pair of arms having a common first region located in the region of the outer case with the arms diverging from each other towards the inner case, and a fastening arrangement connecting the outer case to the arms, the fastener arrangement accessible from a direction extending between the two arms towards the first end region.