Vane Ring Assembly Dovetail Locking Key Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compressor vanes in gas turbines experience vibration and wear damage due to fluid flow and transmitted vibrations, weakening the coupling force between the vanes and the compressor casing, particularly affecting the vane retaining ring.
Innovation Solution
A vane ring assembly is designed with a retaining ring featuring a dovetail groove and a locking key that presses the dovetail into the groove, providing a strong point of contact to prevent vibration and wear, using an elastic locking key with a tapered surface to secure the vane in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the vane is fixed to the retaining ring using a conventional connection method, then the assembly is simple, but the coupling force is insufficient and wear damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The connection structure is segmented into three distinct components: the retaining ring with dovetail groove, the vane with dovetail, and the locking key. This segmentation allows each component to have a specific function - the dovetail groove and dovetail provide the connection interface, while the locking key provides the pressing force, thereby increasing coupling strength without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking key serves as an intermediary component between the retaining ring and the vane. It is inserted into the locking key groove and presses the dovetail against the dovetail groove, mediating the connection force and ensuring strong coupling while allowing for easy assembly and disassembly.
2Reliability
If the vane is loosely attached to the retaining ring, then assembly is easy, but vibration occurs and wear damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking key is designed with elastic properties, allowing it to dynamically adapt to assembly variations. The elastic locking key can be easily inserted and will automatically exert the necessary pressing force on the dovetail, ensuring reliable vibration prevention while maintaining ease of assembly through its flexible nature.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking key's elastic property changes the physical state from rigid to flexible, enabling it to deform during assembly and then maintain constant pressing force on the dovetail. This parameter change ensures reliable connection while simplifying the assembly process, as the elastic key self-adjusts to the correct position.
3Reliability
If a rigid locking mechanism is used to prevent vibration, then vibration is reduced, but assembly and disassembly become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic locking key provides connection stability through continuous pressing force while maintaining ease of repair. The elastic property allows the key to be compressed during assembly and then remain in place providing stable connection, but can be easily removed by applying force in the opposite direction, enabling simple disassembly and reassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic locking key performs the function of both securing the connection and facilitating its own installation and removal. The elastic deformation provides the self-service mechanism where the key automatically engages and secures the dovetail connection, yet can be easily released when needed for maintenance or repair.
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
The vane ring assembly effectively prevents vane vibration and wear damage by ensuring a strong, secure attachment between the vane and the ring, maintaining the coupling force and reducing wear on the compressor casing.
Implementation Method 1
a locking key disposed between the dovetail and the dovetail groove and configured to press the dovetail into the dovetail groove
Data Source
AI summary
A vane ring assembly capable of preventing vibration of a vane, and wear damage caused thereby, by fixing the vane to a ring through a strong contact therebetween. The vane ring assembly includes a retaining ring having an inner peripheral surface in which a dovetail groove is formed; a vane including a dovetail inserted into the dovetail groove and an airfoil protruding from the dovetail in a radial direction of the retaining ring; and a locking key disposed between the dovetail and the dovetail groove and configured to press the dovetail into the dovetail groove. A method of assembling the vane ring assembly includes steps of inserting the dovetail into the dovetail groove; and forcibly pushing the locking key between the dovetail groove and the bottom surface of the dovetail.