Flexible Turbine Wall Bracket Connection Reducing Stress

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Solution Overview

Problem

The rigid connections between the bypass duct wall and the turbine engine case in turbine engines lead to increased internal stresses due to load transfer, which can cause deformation and stress concentration.

Innovation Solution

A wall assembly is introduced, featuring a combination of mounting brackets with axial grooves and wall brackets with tongues and bases, allowing for flexible connections that reduce stress transfer by accommodating movement and providing a radial tongue thickness less than the groove height, enabling the wall assembly to absorb and distribute forces without transferring structural loads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If rigid connections are used between the bypass duct wall and the turbine engine case, then structural strength and stability are improved, but internal stresses and stress concentration increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidinternal stress

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic flexible connection. The mounting brackets with grooves and tongues allow relative movement between the bypass duct wall and engine case, enabling the system to adapt to thermal expansion and contraction while maintaining structural integrity. This dynamic capability reduces stress concentration while preserving overall structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces flexible connection elements (mounting brackets with grooves and tongues) that replace rigid connections. These flexible elements can deform and accommodate relative movement between components, reducing the transfer of thermal and mechanical stresses from the engine case to the bypass duct wall, thereby lowering internal stresses while maintaining structural support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Stability of the object's composition

If rigid connections are used between the bypass duct wall and the turbine engine case, then structural stability is improved, but deformation and stress concentration increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoiddeformation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Stress or pressure

If flexible connections with grooves and tongues are used, then internal stresses are reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinternal stressVSAvoidconnection structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is divided into discrete modular components: mounting brackets with grooves, wall brackets with tongues, and bases. Each component performs a specific function and can be manufactured independently using standard machining processes. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing and assembly while achieving the stress-reduction goal through the distributed flexible connection architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution reduces internal stresses within the bypass duct wall by allowing for relative movement between structural components, thereby minimizing deformation and stress concentration, and incorporates a wear member to prevent wear and vibration.

Implementation Method 1

allowing for flexible connections that reduce stress transfer by accommodating movement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS9366185B2Flexible connection between a wall and a case of a turbine engine

Publication Date: 2016.06.14 RTX CORP

AI summary

A wall assembly includes a wall that extends axially along a centerline, and circumferentially at least partially around the centerline. The wall assembly also includes a plurality of mounting brackets arranged circumferentially around the centerline, and a plurality of wall brackets. Each of the mounting brackets includes a groove that extends axially into the respective mounting bracket. Each of the wall brackets includes a tongue and a base. The tongue extends axially from the base into the groove of a respective one of the mounting brackets. The base is connected to the wall.