Jet Engine Guide Vane Coupling Structure for Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to reduce the weight of aircraft jet engines while maintaining structural strength, particularly in guide vanes that require both flow control and structural functions, where conventional materials like aluminum alloys hinder weight reduction efforts.
Innovation Solution
A coupling structure using a composite material for guide vanes, combined with a metal coupling support member featuring divided pieces with linear protrusions and grooves for mechanical fastening, provides high structural strength and facilitates weight reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal materials like aluminum alloys are used for guide vanes to provide structural function, then structural strength is improved, but weight reduction is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling support member is divided into a pair of divided pieces that are separated from each other and joined to the end portion of the vane from both sides. This segmentation allows the use of lighter composite materials for the guide vane while maintaining structural strength through the distributed metal coupling support.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide vane is made of composite material (thermosetting resin or thermoplastic resin with reinforcement fiber) to reduce weight, while the coupling support member is made of metal to provide structural strength. This composite material approach allows each component to be optimized for its specific function.
2Weight of moving object
If composite material is used for guide vanes to reduce weight, then weight reduction is achieved, but structural strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling support member merges the structural coupling function with the guide vane assembly. By combining the metal coupling support member with the composite guide vane, the system achieves both weight reduction and sufficient structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling support member extends in the thickness direction of the guide vane, providing structural reinforcement in a dimension perpendicular to the primary load paths of the guide vane itself. This dimensional approach allows the thin composite vane to gain strength without adding thickness.
3Strength
If a single solid coupling support member is used, then structural strength is improved, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling support member is divided into a pair of divided pieces that can be positioned on either side of the guide vane end portion. This segmentation simplifies assembly by allowing the vane to be joined from both sides, distributing the coupling process and reducing the complexity of fitting a single large support member.
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 achieves a significant reduction in jet engine weight while maintaining structural integrity and simplifying the assembly process, offering a mechanical coupling strength that surpasses adhesive-only solutions.
Implementation Method 1
a joint surface of the end portion of the vane and a joint surface of the divided piece are formed as follows: according to a version (a) the joint surface of the end portion of the vane has at least one linear protrusion and the joint surface of the divided piece has at least one groove being engaged with the linear protrusion
Data Source
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AI summary
A coupling support member 33 including a pair of divided pieces 34, 34 is placed in a coupling part between a vane proximal end portion 21 of a guide vane 20 and an attachment flange 31f, and the pair of divided pieces 34, 34 are joined to the vane proximal end portion 21 from both the sides in the vane thickness direction. A linear protrusion 21b is formed on one of joint surfaces 21a, 21a of the vane proximal end portion 21 to the pair of divided pieces 34, 34. A groove 35b engaged with the linear protrusion 21b formed in the vane proximal end portion 21 is formed on one of respective joint surfaces 35a, 35a of the pair of divided pieces 34, 34 of the coupling support member 33. The vane proximal end portion 21 is held between the pair of divided pieces 34, 34 of the coupling support member 33, by the fastening force that is applied to the pair of divided pieces 34, 34 of the coupling support member 33 from both the sides in the vane thickness direction. It is possible to obtain a high structural strength while contributing to a reduction in weight of a jet engine.