Stiffness Optimization of Squirrel Cage in Aircraft Engines
Abhishek M1, Kiran M2, Sathyanarayanan S3, Shriharsha Patil4
1Abhishek M, Sales & Marketing, ThyssenKrupp Aerospace India Private Limited, Bangalore (Karnataka), India.
2Kiran M, Department of Projects, Zenith Precession, Bangalore (Karnataka), India.
3Sathyanarayanan S, Department of Material Science, University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado, USA.
4Shriharsha Patil, Department of Computer Science, University of Detroit Mercy, Michigan, USA.
Manuscript received on 17 June 2024 | Revised Manuscript received on 04 October 2024 | Manuscript Accepted on 15 October 2024 | Manuscript published on 30 October 2024 | PP: 28-33 | Volume-14 Issue-1, October 2024 | Retrieval Number: 100.1/ijeat.E1068069520 | DOI: 10.35940/ijeat.E1068.14011024
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© The Authors. Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Abstract: A squirrel cage is a component used in engine shafts to make the shaft stiffer and able to withstand high-cycle fatigue loads continuously for a long time. A squirrel cage can be of many shapes and sizes. The critical speed and the stresses acting on the shaft play a key role in determining the performance of shafts in engines. The squirrel cage in the shaft absorbs stress, thereby extending the life of the shaft. This paper addresses the structural design and analysis of the squirrel cage in an aircraft engine. The design of the squirrel cage was created using SolidWorks, and analysis was performed using Ansys Workbench. To achieve the required strength and stiffness, the squirrel cage was optimised by introducing slots into it. Stress analysis of the bearings has been conducted for axial and radial loads ranging from 1 to 20 kg. The radial load is applied to individual bearings, and then the axial load is applied to only one bearing. Then, the results are plotted as curves, and a slope is obtained based on the observed deformations. The stiffness value is noted, and the same procedure is performed for an optimized slotted squirrel cage. These values are compared, and then the squirrel is proven to be weight-optimised and has improved stiffness.
Keywords: Critical Speeds, High Cycle Fatigue Load, Squirrel Cage, Stress Analysis.
Scope of the Article: Energy Harvesting