Gas Turbine Vane Assembly with Elastic Grommet Retention

The patent removes the outer shroud from the vane assembly design. Instead of using a shroud to retain the vanes, the invention uses grommets that directly engage with the engine casing to secure the vanes in place. This extraction of the shroud component eliminates its weight contribution to the engine while maintaining secure vane retention through the alternative grommet-casing engagement mechanism.

The patent eliminates the adhesive component from the vane retention system. Instead of relying on adhesives to fix the vanes, the invention employs mechanical retention through grommets that engage with slots in the engine casing. This allows vanes to be installed and removed by simply engaging or disengaging the grommet-casing interface, completely avoiding the complications of adhesive application, curing, and removal associated with chemical bonding methods.

The patent introduces an intermediary protective structure between the sharp vane edge and the grommet. The design features a recessed portion in the vane root that creates a protective interface, allowing the grommet to engage with this recessed area rather than directly with the sharp aerodynamic edges of the vane. This intermediary engagement zone protects the grommet from cutting during foreign object damage events while preserving the sharp edges needed for aerodynamic performance.

The patent removes the connecting members from the vane attachment system. The invention integrates the retention function directly into the grommet structure, which engages with slots in the engine casing. This eliminates the need for separate connecting members such as fasteners or clips that would attach the vanes to a shroud, thereby reducing both the complexity of the assembly structure and the weight of additional components.