The present invention relates to discs, and, more particularly, to a disc for a gas turbine engine.
Discs are included in many types of rotary machines, and in many applications, discs must rotate at high speeds during operation. This rotation requires the disc to have enough structural integrity to generate the necessary centripetal force to keep the disc intact. Otherwise the reaction to the centripetal force, known as centrifugal force (an imaginary force created by the inertia of the disc itself) will cause stress within the disc to exceed the material strength of the disc, breaking the disc apart. In addition to the mass of the disc itself, other components may be attached to the outer periphery of the disc. This increases the amount of rotating mass, requiring that the disc have greater strength. This can be solved by adding material to the disc, but doing so also adds cost and weight. Adding cost to a design is always undesirable, and, in the case of a vehicle application such as a gas turbine engine, adding weight may not be an option.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a disc with two sides includes a hub having a bore and a bore radius, a neck, and a rim. The neck is connected to and radially outward of the hub and has an inner wedge with a curved section on one side of the disc, an outer wedge with a curved section on that same side of the disc, and a center section between the wedges with a flat side on that same side of the disc. The rim is connected to and radially outward of the neck, the rim having a radius that is no more than seven times greater than the bore radius.
In another embodiment, a gas turbine engine includes a compressor section, combustor section downstream of the compressor section with an inner radius, and a turbine section downstream of the combustor section with a rotor with an outer radius. The outer radius is no more than 0.83 times as large as the inner radius of the combustor. The turbine section also includes a disc with a neck that has an inner wedge with a curved section on one side of the disc, an outer wedge with a curved section on that same side of the disc, and a center section between the wedges with a flat side on that same side of the disc.
In another embodiment, a gas turbine engine includes a compressor section, combustor section downstream of the compressor section, and a turbine section downstream of and substantially surrounded by the combustor section. The turbine section includes a disc with a neck that has an inner wedge with a curved section on one side of the disc, an outer wedge with a curved section on that same side of the disc, and a center section between the wedges with a flat side on that same side of the disc.
In
Gas turbine engine 10 extends along engine axis 12 and includes compressor section 14, combustor section 16 downstream of compressor section 14, and turbine section 18 downstream of combustor section 16. Compressor section 14 includes impeller 19, and turbine section 18 includes first rotor 20 and second rotor 22. Impeller 19, first rotor 20, and second rotor 22 are all connected to shaft 23, which is rotatably positioned in gas turbine engine 10. More specifically, impeller 19, first rotor 20, second rotor 22 are connected to shaft 23 with a plurality of joints 25A-25D, respectively. In addition, first rotor 20 and second rotor 22 are connected to each other at joint 25C. Each joint 25 is a mechanical joint that prevents relative rotation between the connecting components, such as a spigot fit, a spline, a curvic coupling, or an axially toothed Hirth joint.
In one embodiment, gas turbine engine 10 is a compact gas turbine engine. In general, a compact gas turbine engine has a proportionally shorter axial length when compared to a more traditional gas turbine engine. In a traditional gas turbine engine, the whole combustor section is axially aft of the compressor section and the whole turbine section is axially aft of the combustor section, with the three sections having similar outer diameters. As shown in
During operation of gas turbine engine 10, gas G enters compressor section 14 and is compressed. Then gas G enters combustor section 16 and is mixed with fuel (not shown) and ignited, turning gas G into high pressure exhaust. Gas G is then expanded through turbine section 18 where energy is extracted and utilized to drive compressor section 24 and the auxiliary equipment (not shown). More specifically, as gas G expands through turbine section 18, first rotor 20 and second rotor 22 are rotated at high speed.
The components and configuration of gas turbine engine 10 allow for gas G and fuel to drive the auxiliary equipment by rotating first rotor 20 and second rotor 22. In addition, gas turbine engine 10 can have a compact size by positioning turbine section 18 at least partially inside of combustor section 16.
Depicted in
In
Second rotor 22 includes disc 28, which is a body of revolution about engine axis 12. Disc 28 has hub 32 with bore 33 and bore radius 34, rim 38 with rim radius 40, and neck 36 extending between hub 32 and rim 38. More specifically, neck 36 is connected to and radially outward of hub 32, and rim 38 is connected to and radially outward of neck 36.
Hub 32 includes front ring 44 to interface with first rotor 20 (shown in
Extending radially outward from hub 32 is neck 36. The portion of neck 36 that is adjacent to hub 32 is inner wedge 48. Inner wedge 48 has a concave side and serves as a transition from hub 32 to center section 50, which is radially outward from inner wedge 48. Center section 50 is a thin, flat ring that extends between inner wedge 48 and outer wedge 52, which is radially outward from center section 50. Outer wedge 52 has a concave side and serves as a transition between center section 50 and rim 38.
Rim 38 includes root cut 42 into which blade 30 is positioned and serves to attach blade 30 to disc 28. (While only one blade 30 and one root cut 42 is shown in
As stated previously, in one embodiment, gas turbine engine 10 (shown in
When gas turbine engine 10 (shown in
The components and configuration of second rotor 22 allow for second rotor 22 to spin without fracturing. In addition, because center section 50 is narrower than rim 38 and hub 32, the thickness of neck 36 is minimized which reduces the volume of material and the weight of disc 28.
In
With respect to front side 54, inner wedge 48 has a concave curved section 60 with radius R1, center section 50 has flat side 61, and outer wedge 52 has a concave curved section 62 radius R2. Extending between curved sections 60, 62 is flat side 61, and, more specifically, flat side 61 abuts curved section 60 at P1 at one end and flat side 61 abuts curved section 62 at P2 at the opposite end. Flat side 61 is straight (which is an infinite radius of curvature) and has length L1. In the illustrated embodiment, length L1 is at least 0.1 times greater than the smaller of either radii of curvature R1, R2. In equation form, L1≧0.1*R(smaller of 1 and 2). In addition, flat side 61 is substantially radial (as it is parallel to radial line 58), and flat side 61 is continuous with and tangent to both curved sections 60, 62.
With respect to rear side 56, in the illustrated embodiment, rear side 56 is substantially the same as front side 54, although rear side 56 has the opposite orientation from front side 56. More specifically, inner wedge 48 has a concave curved section 64 with radius R3, center section 50 has flat side 65, and outer wedge 52 has a concave curved section 66 radius R1. Extending between curved sections 64, 66 is flat side 65, and, more specifically, flat side 65 abuts curved section 64 at P3 at one end and flat side 65 abuts curved section 66 at P4 at the opposite end. Flat side 65 is straight (which is an infinite radius of curvature) and has length L2. In the illustrated embodiment, length L2 is at least 0.1 times greater than the smaller of either radii of curvature R3, R4. In equation form, L2≧0.1* R(smaller of 3 and 4). In addition, flat side 65 is substantially radial (as it is parallel to radial line 58), and flat side 65 is continuous with and tangent to both curved sections 64, 66.
During operation (i.e. rotation) of second rotor 22 (shown in
In accordance with the present invention, during rotation, disc 28 (shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, having curved sections 60, 62 separated by flat side 61 creates an region proximate to the center of flat side 61 that has a magnitude of stress that is less than the magnitude of stress in the stress concentrations that are proximate to P1 and P2. Similarly, having curved sections 64, 66 separated by flat side 65 creates a region proximate to the center of flat side 65 that has a magnitude of stress that is less than the magnitude of stress in the stress concentrations that are proximate to P3 and P4.
The configuration of disc 28 allows for a more homogenous stress distribution in neck 36. This reduces the maximum magnitudes of stress concentrations, which lowers the amount of material necessary to withstand the forces within neck 36 during operation of gas turbine engine 10 (shown in
Depicted in
It will be recognized that the present invention provides numerous benefits and advantages. For example, the maximum stress concentration in neck 36 is reduced, which allows neck 36 to be thinner. This reduces the weight and cost of disc 28.
While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment(s), it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
A disc according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, among other possible things includes: a first side and a second side, the disc comprising: a hub including a bore with a bore radius; a neck connected to and radially outward of the hub, the neck comprising: an inner wedge with a first concave curved section on the first side of the disc including a first radius of curvature; an outer wedge with a second concave curved section on the first side of the disc including a second radius of curvature; and a center section extending between the inner wedge and the outer wedge, the center section including a first flat side on the first side of the disc; and a rim connected to and radially outward of the neck, the rim including a rim radius that is no more than seven times greater than the bore radius.
A further embodiment of the foregoing disc, wherein the first flat side can include a length that is at least 0.1 times greater than the smaller of the first radius of curvature and the second radius of curvature.
A further embodiment of any of the foregoing discs, wherein the first flat side can be tangent to the first concave curved section and tangent to the second concave curved section.
A further embodiment of any of the foregoing discs, wherein the first flat side can extend substantially radially.
A further embodiment of any of the foregoing discs, wherein the disc can further comprise: a third concave curved section on the inner wedge on the second side of the disc that includes a third radius of curvature that is substantially the same as the first radius of curvature; a fourth concave curved section on the outer wedge on the second side of the disc that includes a fourth radius of curvature that is substantially the same as the second radius of curvature; and a generally radial second flat side on the center section on the second side of the disc extending between the inner wedge and the outer wedge.
A further embodiment of any of the foregoing discs, wherein the first radius of curvature can be substantially the same as the second radius of curvature.
A further embodiment of any of the foregoing discs, wherein can be configured to react to a stress in the neck by distributing the stress to a first stress concentration of a first magnitude in the neck and a second stress concentration of a second magnitude in the neck, the first stress concentration and the second stress concentration separated by a region in the center section, the region having stress of a third magnitude that is lower than both the first magnitude and the second magnitude.
A gas turbine engine according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, among other possible things includes: a compressor section; a combustor section downstream of the compressor section, the combustor section including an inner radius; and a turbine section downstream of the combustor section, the turbine section including a rotor with an outer radius that is no more than 0.83 times as large as the inner radius of the combustor, the rotor including a disc with a first side, a second side and a neck comprising: an inner wedge with a first concave curved section on the first side of the disc; an outer wedge with a second concave curved section on the first side of the disc; and a center section extending between the inner wedge and the outer wedge, the center section including a first flat side on the first side of the disc.
A further embodiment of the foregoing gas turbine engine, wherein the first flat side can include a length that is at least 0.1 times greater than the smaller of the first radius of curvature and the second radius of curvature.
A further embodiment of any of the foregoing gas turbine engines, wherein the disc can be configured to react to a stress in the neck by distributing the stress to a first stress concentration of a first magnitude in the neck and a second stress concentration of a second magnitude in the neck, the first stress concentration and the second stress concentration separated by a region in the center section, the region having stress of a third magnitude that is lower than both the first magnitude and the second magnitude.
A further embodiment of any of the foregoing gas turbine engines, wherein the first flat side can be tangent to the first concave curved section and tangent to the second concave curved section.
A further embodiment of any of the foregoing gas turbine engines, wherein the first flat side can extend substantially radially.
A further embodiment of any of the foregoing gas turbine engines, wherein the gas turbine engine can further comprise: a third concave curved section on the inner wedge on the second side of the disc that includes a third radius of curvature that is substantially the same as the first radius of curvature; a fourth concave curved section on the outer wedge on the second side of the disc that includes a fourth radius of curvature that is substantially the same as the second radius of curvature; and a generally radial second flat side on the center section on the second side of the disc extending between the inner wedge and the outer wedge.
A further embodiment of any of the foregoing gas turbine engines, wherein the first radius of curvature can be substantially the same as the second radius of curvature.
A further embodiment of any of the foregoing gas turbine engines, wherein the gas turbine engine can further comprise: a hub with a bore radius connected to and radially inward of the neck; and a rim connected to and radially outward of the neck, the rim including a rim radius that is no more than seven times greater than the bore radius.
A further embodiment of any of the foregoing gas turbine engines, wherein the turbine section can be substantially surrounded by the combustor section.
A gas turbine engine according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, among other possible things includes: a compressor section; a combustor section downstream of the compressor section; and a turbine section downstream of and substantially surrounded by the combustor section, the turbine section including a disc with a first side, a second side and a neck comprising: an inner wedge with a first concave curved section on the first side of the disc; an outer wedge with a second concave curved section on the first side of the disc; and a center section extending between the inner wedge and the outer wedge, the center section including a first flat side on the first side of the disc.
A further embodiment of the foregoing gas turbine engines, wherein the first flat side can include a length that is at least 0.1 times greater than the smaller of the first radius of curvature and the second radius of curvature.
A further embodiment of any of the foregoing gas turbine engines, wherein the combustor section includes an inner radius, and the turbine section includes a rotor that includes the disc, the rotor including an outer radius that can be no more than 0.83 times as large as the inner radius of the combustor.
A further embodiment of any of the foregoing gas turbine engines, wherein the disc can be configured to react to a stress in the neck by distributing the stress to a first stress concentration of a first magnitude in the neck and a second stress concentration of a second magnitude in the neck, the first stress concentration and the second stress concentration separated by a region in the center section, the region having stress of a third magnitude that is lower than both the first magnitude and the second magnitude.