Turbomachine Blade Platform Strength via Pi-Shape Insert
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Solution Overview
Problem
The mechanical strength of outlet guide vanes in turbomachines, particularly at the platforms where they attach to the engine, needs improvement to withstand operational forces and ensure efficient propulsive performance while maintaining reduced mass.
Innovation Solution
A turbomachine blade architecture featuring a blade body with a three-dimensional woven fiber reinforcement densified by a matrix, combined with a π-shaped insert providing additional mechanical strength through a housing and flanges, and optionally filled with an adhesive or resin to enhance adhesion and stress resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a composite material blade with three-dimensional fiber reinforcement is used, then mass is reduced and mechanical strength is improved, but the mechanical strength at the platform attachment points is insufficient to withstand operational forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material structure combining a π-shaped insert (metal or composite) with fiber reinforcement segments. The insert provides high strength at the platform attachment points while the fiber reinforcement extends into the blade body, creating a hybrid composite structure that maintains low overall mass while achieving high local strength where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber reinforcement is divided into multiple segments: a first segment embedded in the blade body and a second segment extending toward the platform. This segmentation allows the reinforcement to be optimally distributed - with sufficient length in the blade for structural integrity and adequate extension toward the platform for attachment strength, without requiring excessive material throughout the entire blade.
2Strength
If the fiber reinforcement segments are extended further toward the platform to improve attachment strength, then mechanical strength is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and difficulty of positioning increase
Solution Approach 1:
The π-shaped insert is pre-formed with the housing and flanges before assembly. The first segment of fiber reinforcement is pre-embedded in the blade body, and the second segment is pre-positioned extending toward the platform. This preliminary preparation of components simplifies the final assembly process and ensures proper positioning without requiring complex in-situ manipulation during manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The π-shaped insert acts as an intermediary component that simplifies the connection between the fiber reinforcement segments and the platform. It provides a pre-formed housing to receive the fiber segments and flanges to attach to the platform, mediating the complex interaction between reinforcement and attachment while standardizing the connection process.
3Strength
If a π-shaped insert with housing and flanges is used to reinforce the platform, then mechanical strength is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The π-shaped insert performs multiple functions simultaneously: the housing receives and secures the fiber reinforcement segments, the flanges provide attachment surfaces to the platform, and the overall structure acts as a stress-distributing reinforcement element. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate components into a single integrated element, reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert merges the functions of fiber reinforcement anchoring and platform attachment into a single integrated component. By combining the housing (for fiber reception) and flanges (for platform attachment) into one piece, the design eliminates the need for separate anchoring mechanisms and attachment fixtures, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining high platform strength.
Data Source
AI summary
A blade of a turbomachine includes a blade body of composite material having a fiber reinforcement having a three-dimensional weave and densified by a matrix, the reinforcement having a first part extended by a second, end, part including two segments separated from each other; and an insert having a pi-shaped section, the insert having a platform part and two longitudinal flanges separated from each other, the platform part including a housing delimited by a bottom wall and a rim, the bottom wall including an opening communicating with the space between the two flanges, the first part of the fiber reinforcement being clamped between the two flanges of the insert, the segments of the second part of the fiber reinforcement being folded against the bottom wall of the housing.