Turbine Vane Assembly Splitter Ring Integration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vane assembly designs for turbine engines require costly custom fasteners and complex assembly methods, particularly for attaching a splitter ring between vane assemblies, which can be cumbersome and prone to misalignment.
Innovation Solution
An aggregate vane assembly with a core vane assembly and a bypass vane assembly, where the bypass vanes are integrated with the outer band and supported by bosses, eliminating the need for separate fasteners and simplifying the assembly process by using a splitter ring that is integral with the outer band and positioned to guide fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If custom fasteners are used to attach the splitter ring between vane assemblies, then the attachment strength is improved, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The splitter ring is merged with the outer band of the bypass vane assembly into a single integral structure. This eliminates the need for separate fasteners and reduces assembly complexity while maintaining the structural strength required for attaching the vane assemblies together.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer band serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the bypass vanes, acts as an attachment mechanism for the splitter ring, and integrates with the core vane assembly. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated fasteners and reduces overall assembly complexity.
2Reliability
If custom fasteners are used to attach the splitter ring, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the splitter ring and outer band into a single integral structure, the number of parts is reduced, eliminating the need for expensive custom fasteners. The integral structure maintains attachment reliability through its unified design while significantly reducing manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The expensive custom fasteners are extracted from the assembly by integrating their function directly into the outer band structure. This eliminates the need for separate fastener components and reduces manufacturing complexity and cost.
3Strength
If separate fasteners are used for assembly, then the attachment strength is improved, but the assembly time and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The splitter ring and outer band are merged into a single integral structure that can be installed as one unit. This eliminates multiple fastening operations and significantly reduces assembly time while maintaining the required attachment strength through the integrated design.
4Manufacturing precision
If custom fasteners and complex assembly methods are used, then the attachment precision is improved, but the assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integral structure of the outer band and splitter ring eliminates the need for precise alignment of multiple separate components. The unified design inherently maintains proper alignment while significantly simplifying the assembly process and reducing the skill level required for installation.
Data Source
AI summary
An aggregate vane assembly is disclosed herein. The aggregate vane assembly includes a core vane assembly encircling a central longitudinal axis. The core vane assembly has a plurality of core vanes each extending radially between an inner hub and an outer band. The core vane assembly extends along the central longitudinal axis between a first forward end and a first aft end. The aggregate vane assembly also includes a bypass vane assembly disposed on a radially opposite side of the outer band relative to the plurality of core vanes. The bypass vane assembly includes at least one bypass vane extending radially outward from a platform. The bypass vane assembly extends along the central longitudinal axis between a second forward end and a second aft end. The aggregate vane assembly also includes at least one boss fixed with the outer band and operable to engage the bypass vane assembly proximate to the second forward end.