Composite Turbomachine Vane Reinforced Cavity for Vibration Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Composite material turbomachine vanes with inner cavities face issues such as reduced mechanical resistance, increased risk of vibration, and compromised torsional strength due to thin skins and large cavities, which can resonate with engine frequencies.
Innovation Solution
A method for manufacturing composite material turbomachine vanes with a reinforced inner cavity using a core structure that includes a reinforcing structure occupying part of the cavity volume, formed by lattice, shell, or solid bodies, and a composite material skin, where the reinforcing structure is made of metal or polymer, and a fleeting material is used to create the core shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a large cavity is created inside the vane to reduce mass, then the overall mass of the vane is reduced, but the mechanical resistance and torsional strength are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by placing reinforcing structures (lattices, shells, or solid bodies) strategically within the cavity at locations where mechanical strength is most needed, rather than uniformly reinforcing the entire structure. This allows the vane to maintain low mass while achieving adequate strength at critical locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining the composite material skin with internal reinforcing structures made of metal or polymer. This creates a hybrid composite structure that leverages the advantages of different materials to achieve both low mass and high strength.
2Weight of moving object
If thin composite material skins are used to reduce mass, then the overall mass is reduced, but the natural modes of vibration approach engine frequencies causing resonance
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing structures are positioned at specific locations within the cavity, particularly at antinodes of natural vibration modes, to provide localized stiffening where it is most effective at raising natural frequencies and reducing resonance risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs shell-shaped reinforcing structures with curved geometries that provide structural stiffening while maintaining aerodynamic compatibility. The curved shapes are more efficient at resisting deformation compared to flat structures.
3Strength
If a reinforcing structure is added to the cavity to improve mechanical resistance, then strength is improved, but the mass of the vane increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing structures occupy only part of the cavity volume rather than filling it completely, providing mechanical reinforcement at critical locations while leaving much of the cavity empty to minimize mass addition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin-walled shell structures as reinforcing elements that provide high strength-to-mass ratio. These shells offer adequate mechanical reinforcement while adding minimal mass compared to solid filling.
4Weight of moving object
If the cavity volume is increased to reduce mass, then mass is reduced, but the resistance to aerodynamic forces is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Reinforcing structures are positioned to provide localized stiffening in regions subjected to high aerodynamic loads, allowing the vane to maintain large cavity volume for mass reduction while preserving force resistance where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of composite material skin with internal metal or polymer reinforcing structures creates a hybrid structure that resists aerodynamic forces effectively while maintaining low mass through the large cavity volume.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for manufacturing a composite material vane with a cavity, includes making a core with the shape of the cavity of the vane to be manufactured, the core including a reinforcing structure occupying only part of the volume of the core, the remaining volume of the core being occupied by a material of a fleeting nature, forming a composite material skin around the core, and eliminating the fleeting material to obtain a composite material vane with a cavity reinforced by the reinforcing structure.