Gas Turbine Vane Seal Retainer Plate Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implementing ceramic matrix composite (CMC) materials in gas turbine airfoils is challenging due to difficulties in sealing and maintaining the seal against the high-temperature and oxidation-resistant CMCs, which leads to air leakage and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A vane design incorporating a ceramic vane piece with a hollow airfoil section, a spar piece, and a retainer plate that forms a groove to trap a ceramic rope seal, which seals against the collar of the vane platform, reducing air leakage by using a tapered groove and metallurgical bonding for assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If ceramic matrix composite (CMC) materials are used in airfoils, then temperature resistance and oxidation resistance are improved, but sealing difficulty increases leading to air leakage
Solution Approach 1:
A metallic retainer plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the CMC vane piece and the seal. The retainer plate provides a metallurgical bonding surface that facilitates reliable seal attachment, while the CMC collar maintains the high-temperature resistant interface. This mediator resolves the contradiction by decoupling the sealing function from the CMC material itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a composite structure combining CMC material for the vane piece and collar with metallic materials for the retainer plate and seal. This composite approach allows each material to perform its optimal function: CMC provides temperature and oxidation resistance, while the metallic components provide sealing capability and bonding compatibility.
2Device complexity
If a seal is attached directly to the CMC vane piece, then the structure is simplified, but the seal cannot be reliably maintained against high-temperature CMCs
Solution Approach 1:
The metallic retainer plate serves as an intermediary between the seal and the CMC vane piece. It bonds metallurgically to the CMC collar and provides a suitable substrate for seal attachment, resolving the incompatibility between seals and high-temperature CMC materials while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system is segmented into distinct functional components: the CMC collar for structural support and temperature resistance, the metallic retainer plate for bonding and seal mounting, and the seal for leakage prevention. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional sealing methods are used with CMC airfoils, then manufacturing is simpler, but air leakage occurs reducing engine efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces conventional mechanical sealing methods (which fail against CMCs) with a metallurgical bonding system. The retainer plate bonds to the CMC collar through metallurgical processes, creating a reliable attachment that prevents air leakage while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through established bonding techniques.
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 solution effectively reduces air leakage and enhances the sealing efficiency of the gas turbine engine by using a ceramic rope seal trapped in a tapered groove, ensuring reliable operation under high-temperature conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A seal is trapped in the groove between the retainer plate and the spar platform and seals against the collar of the first vane platform
Implementation Method 2
the groove is tapered... effectively reduces air leakage and enhances the sealing efficiency
Implementation Method 3
A retainer plate bonds to the spar platform... metallurgical bonding for assembly
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A vane (60) includes a vane piece (62) that defines a first vane platform (66), a second vane platform (68), and a hollow airfoil section (70) that joins the first vane platform (66) and the second vane platform (68). The first vane platform (66) defines a collar (74) that projects therefrom. A spar piece (64) defines a spar platform (76) and a spar that extends from the spar platform (76) into the hollow airfoil section (70). A retainer plate (84) is bonded to the spar platform (76). The retainer plate (84) and the spar platform (76) define a groove (86), and there is a seal (88) trapped in the groove (86). The seal (88) seals against the collar (74) of the first vane platform (66).