Turbine Vane Heat Shield Using Ceramic Matrix Composites
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face damage from hot, pressurized gas due to distortion, which existing technologies fail to adequately mitigate, particularly in the turbine-vane ring components.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a turbine-vane ring with heat shields, including ceramic matrix composite materials, and co-processing bonds between vane shields and flange shields, which are strategically positioned to reduce heat transfer and maintain structural integrity through cooling air passages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If heat shields are added to protect turbine vanes from hot exhaust gases, then heat transfer reduction is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat shield is nested within the turbine-vane ring structure, with the shield positioned inside the vane assembly. The heat shield includes an inner flange shield, outer flange shield, and vane shield that are nested together to form a protective barrier without significantly increasing the external dimensions of the turbine-vane ring.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat shield is constructed using ceramic matrix composite materials that provide thermal insulation and heat resistance. The composite structure includes multiple layers and components (inner flange shield, outer flange shield, vane shield) that work together to reduce heat transfer to the turbine vanes while maintaining structural integrity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple heat shield components are assembled together, then heat transfer protection is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat shield is divided into separate components including an inner flange shield, outer flange shield, and vane shield that can be manufactured independently and then assembled together. This segmentation allows for specialized manufacturing of each component while simplifying the overall production process through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner flange shield, outer flange shield, and vane shield are combined to form a complete heat shield assembly that provides comprehensive heat protection. The components are joined together through co-processing bonds and mechanical connections to create a unified protective structure.
3Strength
If co-processing bonds are used to join heat shield components, then joint strength is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The co-processing bonds are prepared in advance by creating bonding surfaces and interfaces on the heat shield components before final assembly. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the components are joined, the bonding surfaces are properly aligned and ready for strong co-processing bonds, reducing the precision requirements during the actual bonding process.
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 solution effectively reduces heat transfer to vane units, protecting them from hot exhaust gases and maintaining structural integrity by using ceramic matrix composite heat shields and co-processing bonds, thereby enhancing the durability and performance of gas turbine engines.
Implementation Method 1
heat shield may comprise ceramic matrix composite
Implementation Method 2
cooling air passages
Data Source
AI summary
A gas turbine engine includes a body and a turbine-vane ring coupled to the body. The turbine-vane ring includes a plurality of turbine-vane assemblies. Each turbine-vane assembly includes a vane unit and a heat shield configured to reduce heat transfer to the vane unit from hot exhaust gases during operation of the gas turbine engine.