Turbo Engine Component Sealing via Overlapping Ring Segments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing component systems for aircraft turbines suffer from poor sealing due to tolerance chains, leading to high assembly and maintenance costs, and require separate sealing plates that complicate the assembly and disassembly process.
Innovation Solution
The integration of at least three overlapping elements on adjacent component segments, where two are affixed to the first segment and one to the second segment, axially configured between them, to form a ring structure that self-centers and locks the components, eliminating the need for additional housing receptacles and separate sealing parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate sealing plates are used to seal segment joints, then sealing function is provided, but assembly complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged with the component segments themselves by integrating sealing elements directly into the segment structure. The sealing elements are formed as integral parts of the blade ring segments, eliminating the need for separate sealing plates and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining effective sealing of segment joints.
Solution Approach 2:
The component segments are designed to perform multiple functions: structural support, aerodynamic function, and sealing. The sealing elements integrated into the segments allow the same components to serve both structural and sealing purposes, reducing the total number of parts and simplifying the overall assembly.
2Reliability
If separate sealing plates are installed to seal gaps, then sealing is achieved, but assembly and disassembly expenditure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is combined with the component segments by forming sealing elements as integral parts of the segments. This eliminates the need for separate sealing plates that would require additional installation and removal operations, thereby reducing assembly and disassembly expenditure while maintaining effective gap sealing.
3Ease of manufacture
If tolerance chains are present in sealing design, then manufacturing flexibility is maintained, but sealing quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing elements are designed to self-adjust and self-center during assembly, compensating for manufacturing tolerances automatically. The alternating configuration of sealing elements on adjacent segments creates a self-aligning mechanism that eliminates the need for tight tolerance chains while maintaining high sealing quality.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple sealing plates are used to reduce leakage gaps, then sealing precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sealing functions are merged into the component segments themselves through integrated sealing elements. The alternating configuration of sealing elements on adjacent segments provides multiple sealing lines without requiring separate sealing plates, thereby maintaining high sealing precision while reducing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A component system of a turbine engine including a first component segment and a second component segment configurable in a ring segment shape, so that at least one abutment surface of the first component segment and an abutment surface of the second component segment abut against each other; together, the first component segment and the second component segment including at least three overlapping elements for sealing a gap between the abutment surfaces. In the case of mutually abutting abutment surfaces, each overlapping element overlapping radially with the respective other component segment. At least two of the overlapping elements are configured on the first component segment, while at least one of the overlapping elements is configured on the second component segment. In the case of mutually abutting abutment surfaces, the overlapping element of the second component segment is axially configured between the overlapping elements of the first component segment.