Gas Turbine Vane Cluster Assembly Wear Liner
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of singlet vanes in gas turbine engines is time-consuming and prone to human error due to the need for precise ordering and installation of individual vanes, which can lead to incorrect placement.
Innovation Solution
A vane cluster assembly using a forward and aft wear liner system that connects and retains singlet vanes through anti-rotation and end vane interface features, facilitating correct ordering and reducing installation errors by using a method where the forward wear liner connects the forward edge of each singlet vane and the aft wear liner connects the aft edge, with specialized singlet vanes slid into position to form a cohesive unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If singlet vanes are installed individually in the vane assembly, then each vane can be positioned precisely, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming and prone to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The vane assembly is segmented into multiple vane clusters, where each cluster contains a predetermined number of singlet vanes (e.g., 5-10 vanes) pre-assembled together. This segmentation allows the assembly process to be divided into manageable units that can be pre-assembled with precise positioning, then quickly installed as complete clusters, thereby maintaining precision while improving overall assembly productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The singlet vanes are pre-assembled into clusters before final installation in the vane assembly. During this preliminary assembly stage, the vanes are positioned with high precision and secured using wear liners and retention features. This preliminary action ensures correct ordering and positioning is established beforehand, eliminating the need for time-consuming precise positioning during final installation
2Adaptability or versatility
If singlet vanes are installed individually, then flexibility in assembly is maintained, but human error leads to incorrect placement
Solution Approach 1:
By grouping singlet vanes into discrete clusters with predetermined compositions, the system reduces the complexity of individual vane placement decisions. Each cluster is designed to contain specific vanes in specific positions, which maintains adaptability for different engine configurations while significantly reducing the risk of human error in correct ordering during assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The wear liner acts as an intermediary component between the singlet vanes and the vane assembly structure. It provides a standardized interface with retention features (such as hooks or lugs) that guide and secure the vanes in their correct positions. This intermediary mechanism ensures reliable correct ordering by providing physical guides and retention points that prevent misplacement
3Duration of action of stationary object
If wear liners are used to protect vanes from wear, then vane durability is improved, but the assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wear liner is merged with the retention feature structure, combining the protective function and the retention function into a single integrated component. The wear liner includes built-in retention features such as hooks or lugs that engage with corresponding features on the vane clusters. This merging reduces overall assembly complexity by eliminating separate retention components while maintaining both protection and retention functions
Solution Approach 2:
The wear liner is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides wear protection for the vanes and serves as the retention mechanism for securing vane clusters. By making the wear liner universal and multi-functional, the assembly structure is simplified rather than complicated, as one component performs multiple critical functions
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A vane cluster for a gas turbine engine includes multiple singlet vanes and a forward wear liner connecting a forward edge of each singlet vane, thereby allowing the vane cluster to be manipulated as a single component.