Turbomachine Vane Assembly Centering Plate and Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rectifier assemblies for turbomachines, particularly those made of composite materials, face challenges in simple and robust fixing and positioning due to complex manufacturing and assembly complexities, such as dovetail connections, which are costly and mechanically inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A centering and fixing plate is used, separate from the blade and hub, to ensure precise positioning and fixing of the blade, with longitudinal screws attaching to the hub and radial screws attaching to the blade root, allowing for simplified assembly and effective force transmission without stress concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a dovetail connection is used to position the rectifier, then positioning precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rectifier assembly is segmented into separate components: the rectifier blade, a centering plate, and the hub. The centering plate acts as an intermediate element that simplifies the connection between the blade and hub, replacing the complex dovetail joint with simpler screw connections that achieve the same positioning function.
Solution Approach 2:
A centering plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the rectifier blade and the hub. This plate provides a simplified interface that uses standard screw fasteners to achieve precise positioning and force transmission, eliminating the need for complex dovetail connections while maintaining positioning precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If a dovetail connection is used to fix the blade, then positioning is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing system is segmented into separate functional elements: the blade, the centering plate, and the hub. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using simpler, more cost-effective processes, avoiding the expensive dovetail joint manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The centering plate serves as a simple, inexpensive intermediate component that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. It provides the necessary positioning function at a lower manufacturing cost than a custom-fitted dovetail connection would require.
3Strength
If radial attachment is used for the rectifier, then mechanical strength is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is divided into separate components: the blade root, the centering plate, and the hub. This segmentation allows for simplified radial attachment using standard screw fasteners, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining the mechanical strength provided by radial loading paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The centering plate acts as an intermediary that simplifies the radial attachment process. It provides a standardized interface that uses simple screw connections to achieve robust radial attachment, eliminating the need for complex integrated attachment structures.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns a flow straightener unit (1) for a fan module of a turbomachine, the straightener unit (1) comprising a plurality of blades (2) distributed about an axis of rotation, each blade (2) is made of a composite material and comprises an aerofoil (21) and a root (22) intended to be assembled on a hub (4) of the turbomachine. The unit (1) comprises a centring and attachment plate (3) of the blade (2) on the turbomachine intended to be attached to the hub (4) at a determined azimuthal position and to the root (22) of the blade (2), the plate (3) is designed to be screwed to the hub (4) by screws (51a) that are longitudinal with respect to the axis of rotation of the unit (1) and screwed to the root (22) of the blade (2) by screws (52) that are radial with respect to the axis of rotation of the unit (1).