Turbine Vane Mounting Tool Heel Pivoting Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for mounting vanes at the periphery of a turbine engine disc are hindered by the shape of the heels, which interfere with axial movement, leading to difficulties in insertion and potential damage, and pose risks during manual spacing, necessitating the use of wedges that can cause deformations and scratches.

Innovation Solution

A mounting tool with an endpiece complementary to the heel of the vane is used to pivot the heel radially, aligning it with the direction of vane root insertion, allowing easy axial insertion into sockets without excessive mechanical stress or damage, and facilitating the use of foils to reduce wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wedges are inserted between the blades of the vanes to hold them apart, then the heels can move axially freely, but the wedges may cause deformations, impacts or scratches on the blades

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaxial movement of heelsVSAvoiddeformations, impacts or scratches on blades

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A mounting tool is introduced as an intermediary device between the operator and the vane heels. The tool includes a gripping element that engages with the heel and a pivoting mechanism that rotates the heel about a radial axis, enabling controlled axial movement without direct contact between wedges and blades, thus avoiding damage while facilitating installation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The manual wedging mechanism is replaced with a controlled pivoting mechanism. Instead of using wedges to force heels apart, the mounting tool rotates the heels into the correct angular position, allowing them to move axially freely during insertion without requiring forceful separation, thereby eliminating the harmful mechanical impacts associated with wedge-based methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If vanes are spaced manually, then flexibility is maintained, but risks of occupational accidents increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual spacing flexibilityVSAvoidoccupational safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting tool is designed to be self-guiding and self-positioning. The gripping element automatically engages with the heel, and the pivoting mechanism naturally aligns the vane in the correct angular position relative to adjacent vanes. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual spacing operations, thereby maintaining adaptability while removing occupational safety risks associated with hand-based spacing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Strength

If the heel shape is maintained as designed, then structural integrity is preserved, but axial insertion of vane roots becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrity of heelsVSAvoidaxial insertion of vane roots

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting tool introduces dynamic motion to the previously static heel positioning problem. By pivoting the heel about a radial axis during insertion, the tool dynamically adjusts the angular orientation of the heel, allowing it to clear adjacent vanes during axial movement while maintaining its designed structural shape and integrity throughout the insertion process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 method enables straightforward and safe mounting of vanes without causing deformations or scratches, improving the engagement of foils and reducing occupational hazards, while maintaining the mechanical integrity of the vanes.

Implementation Method 1

pivoting the heel of the vane by a rotational movement of the mounting tool around a radial direction of the disc passing through the vane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotational movement:

Data Source

PatentUS10787919B2Mounting of vanes at the periphery of a turbine engine disc

Publication Date: 2020.09.29 SN DETUDE & DE CONSTR DE MOTEURS DAVIATION (S N E C M A)

AI summary

The invention relates to a method of mounting of vanes (10) at the periphery of a turbine engine disc (12),where in the disc (12) comprises sockets extending in alternation with teeth,wherein the vanes (10) comprise respectively:roots designed to be inserted into the sockets,heels (26) andblades (24) connecting the roots to the heels.According to the invention, the method comprises the steps consisting of:(a) positioning the vanes (10) such that the root of each vane is axially opposite one of the sockets in the disc,(b) providing a mounting tool (50) featuring an endpiece (40) of a shape partly complementary to the heel (26) of one of the vanes,(c) causing the endpiece (40) of the mounting tool (50) to cooperate with the heel (26) of the vane,(d) pivoting the heel (26) of the vane by a rotational movement (54) of the mounting tool (50) and(e) axially inserting the vane root into the socket of the disc.