Rotating module for a test turbomachine

Abstract

Rotating module (1) for a test turbomachine, the rotating module (1) comprising: - a frame (4) extending about an axis (X), the frame (4) being fixed and intended to be attached to at least one fixed element of the test turbomachine; - a measuring ring (6) extending about the axis (X), the ring (6) being rotatable about the axis (X) and guided in rotation relative to the frame (4), the ring (6) comprising an annular body (7) about the axis (X), the body (7) having an internal surface (8) defining a portion of a flow path (9) of an airflow (F), the body (7) carrying at least one measuring instrument (10) configured to measure at least one parameter of the airflow (F). Figure for the abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Rotating module for a test turbomachine Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a rotating module for a test turbomachine, as well as a test turbomachine comprising such a rotating module. Technical background

[0002] In the context of the development of a turbomachine, engine manufacturers carry out various tests aimed in particular at measuring the parameters (pressure, temperature, etc.) of a flow flowing in a channel of the turbomachine.

[0003] For this purpose, it is known to implant intrusive measuring devices, more commonly called "combs" because of their shape, in the vein being studied. A comb is conventionally mounted on a fixed element of the turbomachine, for example a housing.

[0004] Engine manufacturers note that a comb is suitable for a local study in the vein, but much less so for an expanded study covering a larger area of ​​the vein.

[0005] Indeed, an expanded study requires close measurements at different axial positions and / or at different angular positions in the vein.

[0006] One option for this could be to implant a large number of combs. However, such an option is costly and difficult to implement due to the size of the combs and the limited space available to implant them all.

[0007] A second option could be to have a limited number of combs and to perform different series of measurements by changing the position of the combs from one series to another. However, such an option proves to be long and tedious since it is necessary to disassemble / reassemble all the combs (including the associated wiring) from one series to the next.

[0008] The objective of the present invention is therefore to provide a simple, effective and economical solution to the aforementioned problem. Summary of the invention

[0009] The invention thus proposes a rotating module for a test turbomachine, the rotating module comprising: - a chassis which extends around an X axis, the chassis being fixed and intended to be attached to at least one fixed element of the test turbomachine; - a measuring ring extending around the X-axis, the ring being free to rotate about the X-axis and guided in rotation relative to the frame, the ring comprising an annular body around the X-axis, the body having an internal surface that defines a portion of a flow vein of an airflow F, the body carrying at least one measuring instrument configured to measure at least one parameter of the airflow F.

[0010] The rotational mobility of the measuring ring makes it possible to obtain data for different angular positions in the portion of the vein studied (and more generally over three hundred and sixty degrees), so as to carry out a complete and precise study of the portion of the vein studied.

[0011] The test turbomachine can obviously include several rotating modules, successive or distant, to extend the study area, and thus carry out a general and precise study of the vein.

[0012] The data obtained makes it possible in particular to analyze precisely the aerodynamic, acoustic and aeroelastic behavior of the vein.

[0013] The rotating module according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following features, taken individually or in combination with each other: - the chassis comprises two annular flanges around the X axis, these flanges being axially spaced from each other and axially connected to each other by an annular row of bridges around the X axis, the measuring ring being axially located between the two flanges and being partially covered by the bridges; - the measuring ring is driven in rotation around the X axis by a drive device, the drive device comprising a toothed ring which is meshed with a pinion, the pinion being driven in rotation by a rotary actuator, the toothed ring being fixed to the frame and the rotary actuator being fixed to the measuring ring; - the measuring ring is guided in rotation relative to the chassis via two bearings axially distant from each other, each bearing comprising two external rings housed in the chassis, two internal rings housed in the measuring ring and rolling elements placed radially between the external and internal rings; - the annular body includes at least one radial opening leading inwards, the opening receiving an instrumented shutter on which the measuring instrument is fixed, the measuring instrument protruding inside the annular body of the ring, so that the measuring instrument is immersed in the airflow F; - the measuring instrument comprises a radial and profiled mast, the mast being axially delimited by a leading edge and a trailing edge, the mast comprising a radial row of inlet nozzles, each inlet nozzle projecting axially from the leading edge; - the measuring ring includes a peripheral chute, the chute being open outwards and extending circumferentially around the X axis, the chute receiving an articulated chain carrying at least the wiring of the measuring instrument; - the rotating module includes a chain winder, the winder being configured so that the chain is self-retracting; - the winder includes a return pulley which is fixed in translation and placed in an upper part of a frame of the winder, and a tension pulley which is movable in translation along an inclined part of the frame, the tension pulley being arranged below the return pulley and weighted so as to permanently tension the chain under the action of gravity; - the tension pulley is mounted to rotate freely between two cheeks, each cheek being guided in translation relative to the inclined part of the frame via a slide, the slide comprising a slide engaged in a guide, the slide being fixed to the cheek and the guide being fixed to the inclined part of the frame.

[0014] The present invention also relates to an X-axis test turbomachine comprising: - an external and annular casing around the X axis, the external casing having an internal surface which defines a flow vein of an air flow F; - a mobile blower rotating around the X axis, the blower being housed in the vein and driven in rotation by a drive system disposed downstream of the blower, the drive system being at least partly housed in an internal and annular casing around the X axis; - at least one rotating module as described above, the chassis and ring of the rotating module forming part of the outer casing, and the inner surface of the ring body forming part of the inner surface of the outer casing. Brief description of the figures

[0015] The invention will be better understood and other details, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description, given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0016] [Fig.1] [Fig.1] is a partial perspective view of a rotating module according to the invention;

[0017] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a half-axial cross-sectional view of the rotating module of [Fig.1] according to a cutting plane passing through the drive device;

[0018] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective and detail view of the drive device of the rotating module shown in figures 1 and 2;

[0019] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of a winder of the rotating module;

[0020] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a schematic axial cross-sectional view of a test turbomachine according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0021] Figures 1 to 4 show an example of the realization of a rotating module 1 for a test turbomachine 2.

[0022] According to the invention, a rotating module 1 comprises: - a chassis 4 which extends around an axis X, the chassis 4 being fixed and intended to be attached to at least one fixed element 5 of the test turbomachine 2; - a measuring ring 6 which extends around the X axis, the ring 6 being movable in rotation around the X axis and guided in rotation relative to the frame 4, the ring 6 comprising an annular body 7 around the X axis, the body 7 having an internal surface 8 which defines a portion of a flow vein 9 of an airflow F, the body 7 carrying at least one measuring instrument 10 configured to measure at least one parameter of the airflow F.

[0023] The rotational mobility of the measuring ring 6 makes it possible to obtain data for different angular positions in the portion of vein 9 studied (and more generally over three hundred and sixty degrees), so as to carry out a complete and precise study of the portion of vein 9 studied.

[0024] The test turbomachine 2 can obviously include several rotating modules 1, successive or distant, to extend the study area, and thus carry out a general and precise study of the vein 9.

[0025] The data obtained makes it possible in particular to analyze precisely the aerodynamic, acoustic and aeroelastic behavior of the vein 9.

[0026] By convention in this application, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" are defined with respect to the direction of airflow F in the portion of the channel 9 of the rotating module 1 or in the channel 9 of the test turbomachine 2, when the test turbomachine 2 is operating in "propeller" mode.

[0027] Furthermore, by convention in the present application, "axial" or "axially" means any direction parallel to the X-axis of the rotating module 1 or the test turbomachine 2, "radial" or "radially" means any direction perpendicular to the X-axis of the rotating module 1 or the test turbomachine 2, and "circumferential" or "circumferentially" means any direction relative to the circumference of the rotating module 1 or the test turbomachine 2 (as opposed to the axial and radial directions explained above).

[0028] Finally, by convention in the present application, the terms "internal", "external", "inside" and "outside" are defined with respect to the X axis of the rotating module 1 or the test turbomachine 2.

[0029] Advantageously, the chassis 4 of the rotating module 1 comprises two annular flanges 1a, 11b about the X axis, these flanges 1a, 11b being axially spaced from each other and axially connected to each other by an annular row of bridges 12 about the X axis. The measuring ring 6 is then axially located between the two flanges 1a, 11b and is partially covered by the bridges 12.

[0030] According to the embodiment illustrated in particular on [Fig.1], the chassis 4 here comprises six bridges 12 distributed regularly around X. Each leg 13 of a bridge 12 is fixed to the corresponding flange 1la, 11b via screws (for example three screws).

[0031] As illustrated in particular on [Fig.2], the body 7 of the measuring ring 6 is here formed of several annular pieces 7a-7g fixed to each other.

[0032] Advantageously, the measuring ring 6 is driven in rotation about the X-axis by a drive device 14. The drive device 14 comprises a toothed ring 15 which is meshed with a pinion 16. The pinion 16 is driven in rotation by a rotary actuator 17. The toothed ring 15 is fixed to the frame 4 and the rotary actuator 17 is fixed to the measuring ring 6. Thus, the toothed ring 15 is fixed in rotation about the X-axis and the rotary actuator 17 is movable in rotation about the X-axis.

[0033] According to the embodiment illustrated in particular in figures 2 and 3, the toothed ring 15 is located here axially directly downstream of the upstream flange 1la. The toothed ring 15 has external teeth.

[0034] The rotary actuator 17 is located axially between the two flanges 1a, 11b. The rotary actuator 17 is a geared motor comprising an electric motor 18 associated with a speed reducer 19. The pinion 16 is rotationally connected to the output shaft 20 of the speed reducer 19 via one or more keys. The geared motor 17 has a 90-degree right-angle drive, meaning that the output shaft 20 of the reducer 19 is perpendicular to the output shaft of the electric motor 18. The 90-degree right-angle drive helps to limit the axial dimensions of the geared motor 17. The stator 21 of the geared motor 17 is fixed to a support 22, which is itself fixed to the periphery of the body 7 of the ring 6.

[0035] It is worth noting that several parts (upstream flange 1, bridges 12, body parts 7, etc.) are hidden on [Fig.3] to clearly show the drive device 14.

[0036] Advantageously, the measuring ring 6 is guided in rotation relative to the frame 4 via two roller bearings 23a, 23b axially separated from each other. Each bearing 23a, 23b comprises two external rings 24 housed in the frame 4, two internal rings 25 housed in the measuring ring 6, and rolling elements 26 positioned radially between the external rings 24 and the internal rings 25.

[0037] According to the embodiment illustrated in particular in [Fig.2], the external rings 24 of the upstream bearing 23a are housed in an external space formed jointly in the upstream flange 1a and the toothed ring 15, and the internal rings 25 of the upstream bearing 23a are housed in an upstream ring 7d of the body 7 of the ring 6. The external rings 24 of the downstream bearing 23b are housed in an external space formed jointly in a non-toothed ring 28 and the downstream flange 11b, and the internal rings 25 of the downstream bearing 23b are housed in a downstream ring 7e of the body 7 of the ring 6.

[0038] The rotating module 1 further includes a sealing gasket 30 (here a radial contact lip seal) near each of the bearings 23a, 23b and at the interface between the chassis 4 and the ring 6, in order to protect each of the bearings 23a, 23b from the external environment.

[0039] Advantageously, the body 7 of the ring 6 includes at least one radial opening 31 opening inwards. The opening 31 receives an instrumented shutter 32a on which the measuring instrument 10 is fixed. The measuring instrument 10 protrudes inside the body 7 of the ring 6, so that the measuring instrument 10 is immersed in the airflow F.

[0040] According to the embodiment illustrated in particular in Figures 1 and 2, the body 7 of the ring 6 comprises six openings 31 distributed regularly around the X-axis. Of these six openings 31, two of them (at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock, by analogy with the dial of a watch or clock) each receive an instrumented shutter 32a, the other four openings 31 receiving an uninstrumented shutter 32b. The internal surface of each shutter 32a, 32b is complementary to the internal surface 8 of the body 7 of the ring 6, to ensure aerodynamic continuity.

[0041] Generally, a measuring instrument 10 can take various forms (for example, in the form of a comb or a disc). A measuring instrument 10 can be equipped with one or more measuring sensors (for example, pressure sensors and / or temperature sensors).

[0042] According to a particular embodiment, the measuring instrument 10 comprises a radial, profiled mast 33. The mast 33 is axially delimited by a leading edge 34 and a trailing edge 35. The mast 33 includes a radial row of inlet nozzles 36, each inlet nozzle 36 projecting axially from the leading edge 34. Such a measuring instrument 10 is commonly called a "comb" because of its shape. Such a comb 10 can be equipped with one or more sensors, each sensor being, for example, located in one of the inlet nozzles 36.

[0043] According to the embodiment illustrated in particular in Figures 1 and 2, each instrumented shutter 32a here comprises a comb 10 which is intended to carry out, in particular, pressure and temperature measurements at the boundary layer level of the air flow F which is formed in the immediate vicinity of the internal surface 8 of the body 7 of the ring 6.

[0044] Advantageously, the measuring ring 6 includes a peripheral chute 37 (or slide). The chute 37 is open outwards and extends circumferentially around the axis X. The chute 37 receives an articulated chain 38 carrying at least the wiring of the measuring instrument(s) 10. Such a chain 38 is commonly called a "cable carrier chain".

[0045] In general, the chain 38 can obviously also carry the wiring of the rotary actuator 17 (drive device 14) and the wiring of various sensors installed on the measuring ring 6. In the present application, the term "wiring" encompasses the various cables (electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, etc.) which allow a fixed element of the ring 6 to be connected to the control system 54.

[0046] According to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the chute 37 is located axially between the two flanges 1a, 11b, and more precisely directly upstream of the downstream flange 11b. The chute 37 comprises several sections butted together around the axis X. The chain 38 comprises a series of links 39 articulated with respect to each other. The chain 38 carries the wiring for the two measuring instruments 10 and the wiring for the geared motor 17.

[0047] Advantageously, the rotating module 1 includes a winder 40 for the chain 38. The winder 40 is configured so that the chain 38 is self-retracting, and in other words, so that the chain 38 winds and unwinds automatically when the ring 6 moves in rotation around the axis X in one direction of rotation or the other.

[0048] Advantageously, the winder 40 comprises a return pulley 41 which is fixed in translation and placed in the upper part of a frame 42 of the winder 40, for example at the top of the frame 42, and a tension pulley 43 which is movable in translation along an inclined part 44 of the frame 42. The tension pulley 43 is disposed below the return pulley 41 and weighted so as to permanently tension the chain 38 under the action of gravity.

[0049] According to the embodiment illustrated in particular on [Fig.4], the winder 40 here comprises a triangulated and mechanically welded frame 42 which includes a base resting on the ground, an inclined cross member 44 which forms the inclined part 44 of the frame 42 and an upright 45 supporting the inclined cross member 44.

[0050] The idler pulley 41 and the tension pulley 43 are flanged to improve the guidance of the chain 38. The idler pulley 41 is located at the upper end of the inclined cross member 44 and is fixed to fairings 46. The tension pulley 43 is mounted to rotate freely between two cheeks 47, each cheek 47 being guided in translation relative to the inclined cross member 44 of the frame 42 via a slide 48 (or a slide). The slide 48 includes a slide 49 engaged in a guide 50, the slide 49 being integral with the cheek 47 and the guide 50 being integral with the inclined cross member 44 of the frame 42. The winder 40 further includes a gutter 51 extending along the inclined cross member 44, this gutter 51 being intended to support and guide the chain reserve 38.

[0051] From the winder 40 to the ring 6, the chain 38 is supported and guided successively by the gutter 51, the tension pulley 43, the return pulley 41 and the chute 37. The chain 38 makes a half turn at the tension pulley 43.

[0052] The reel 40 also includes a first cable track 52 extending along the fairings 46 and a second cable track 53 extending along the upright 45, these cable tracks 52, 53 being intended to support and guide the various cables from the final end of the chain 38 to the control system 54.

[0053] Figure 5 shows an example of an embodiment of a test turbomachine 2 which includes four rotating modules 1 as described previously in relation to Figures 1 to 4.

[0054] According to the invention, an X-axis test turbomachine 2 comprises: - an external casing 55 and annular around the axis X, the external casing 55 having an internal surface 56 which defines a flow vein 9 of an air flow F; - a blower 57 mobile in rotation around the axis X, the blower 57 being housed in the vein 9 and driven in rotation by a drive system 58 disposed downstream of the blower 57, the drive system 58 being at least partly housed in an internal casing 59 and annular around the axis X; - at least one rotating module 1, the chassis 4 and the ring 6 of the rotating module 1 forming part of the outer housing 55, and the inner surface 8 of the body 7 of the ring 6 forming part of the inner surface 56 of the outer housing 55.

[0055] The embodiment shown in [Fig.5] is not limiting in any way; the test turbomachine 2 could obviously include a different number of rotating modules 1 (for example three or five), and one or more rotating modules 1 arranged differently.

[0056] According to the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 5], the outer housing 55 is formed by the frames 4 and the rings 6 of the four rotating modules 1, and various housing sections 5 which are fixed against rotation. Each rotating module 1 is arranged axially between two housing sections 5. The frame 4 of each rotating module 1 is fixed to the housing sections 5 that are directly adjacent to it.

[0057] The test turbomachine 2 further comprises an annular row of outlet guide vanes 60 around the X-axis. These outlet guide vanes 60 are better known by the English acronym OGV for "Outlet Guide Vane". These guide vanes of outlet 60 are located directly downstream of the blower 57 and radially connect the outer casing 55 to the inner casing 59.

[0058] The rotating modules are arranged axially one after the other and at a distance from each other. More specifically, the first rotating module 1 is located at the inlet of the flow 9. The second rotating module 1 is located around the fan 57. The third rotating module 1 is located directly downstream of the outlet guide vanes 60. The fourth rotating module 1 is located in a downstream portion of the flow 9. The annular portion of the flow 9 located downstream of the fan 57 can be considered as the secondary flow of a turbofan engine.

[0059] The blower 57 comprises an annular array of propulsion blades 61 around the X-axis, these propulsion blades 61 being able to have variable or fixed pitch. The drive system 58 of the blower 57 includes a rotary actuator 62 and a transmission device 63 which transmits the rotational motion initiated by the rotary actuator 62 to the blower 57. The rotary actuator 62 is an electric motor, and the transmission device 63 consists of shafts 64 linked for rotation to one another. The drive system 58 allows various tests to be carried out for different operating modes (in particular "propeller," and possibly "reversing") and at different operating speeds.

Claims

Demands

1. Rotating module (1) for a test turbomachine (2), the rotating module (1) comprising: - a frame (4) which extends around an axis (X), the frame (4) being fixed and intended to be attached to at least one fixed element (5) of the test turbomachine (2);- a measuring ring (6) extending around the axis (X), the ring (6) being free to rotate about the axis (X) and guided in rotation relative to the frame (4), the ring (6) comprising a body (7) annular about the axis (X), the body (7) having an internal surface (8) defining a portion of a flow channel (9) of an airflow (F), the body (7) carrying at least one measuring instrument (10) configured to measure at least one parameter of the airflow (F), the measuring ring (6) being driven in rotation about the axis (X) by a drive device (14), the drive device (14) comprising a toothed ring (15) meshing with a pinion (16), the pinion (16) being driven in rotation by a rotary actuator (17), the toothed ring (15) being fixed to the frame (4) and the actuator rotary (17) being integral with the measuring ring (6).;

2. Rotating module (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame (4) comprises two annular flanges (lia, 11b) about the axis (X), these flanges (lia, 11b) being axially spaced from each other and axially connected to each other by an annular row of bridges (12) about the axis (X), the measuring ring (6) being axially located between the two flanges (lia, 11b) and being partially covered by the bridges (12).

3. Rotating module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the measuring ring (6) is guided in rotation relative to the frame (4) via two roller bearings (23a, 23b) axially separated from each other, each bearing (23a, 23b) comprising two external rings (24) housed in the frame (4), two internal rings (25) housed in the measuring ring (6) and rolling elements (26) placed radially between the external rings (24) and the internal rings (25).

4. Rotating module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the annular body (7) comprises at least a radial opening (31) opening inwards, the opening (31) receiving an instrumented shutter (32a) on which the measuring instrument (10) is fixed, the measuring instrument (10) protruding inside the annular body (7) of the ring (6), so that the measuring instrument (10) is immersed in the airflow (F).

5. Rotating module (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the measuring instrument (10) comprises a radial and profiled mast (33), the mast (33) being axially delimited by a leading edge (34) and a trailing edge (35), the mast (33) comprising a radial row of inlet nozzles (36), each inlet nozzle (36) projecting axially from the leading edge (34).

6. Rotating module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the measuring ring (6) comprises a peripheral chute (37), the chute (37) being open outwards and extending circumferentially around the axis (X), the chute (37) receiving an articulated chain (38) carrying at least the wiring of the measuring instrument (10).

7. Rotating module (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the rotating module (1) comprises a winder (40) of the chain (38), the winder (40) being configured so that the chain (38) is self-retracting.

8. Rotating module(l) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the winder (40) comprises a return pulley (41) which is fixed in translation and placed in the upper part of a frame (42) of the winder (40), and a tension pulley (43) which is movable in translation along an inclined part (44) of the frame (42), the tension pulley (43) being disposed below the return pulley (41) and weighted so as to permanently tension the chain (38) under the action of gravity.

9. Rotating module (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the tension pulley (43) is mounted movably in rotation between two cheeks (47), each cheek (47) being guided in translation relative to the inclined part (44) of the frame (42) via a slide (48), the slide (48) comprising a slide (49) engaged in a guide (50), the slide (49) being integral with the cheek (47) and the guide (50) being integral with the inclined part (44) of the frame (42).

10. Test turbomachine (2) of axis (X) comprising: - an external casing (55) and annular around the axis (X), the external casing (55) having an internal surface (56) which defines a flow vein (9) of an air flow (F); - a blower (57) mobile in rotation around the axis (X), the blower (57) being housed in the vein (9) and driven in rotation by a drive system (58) disposed downstream of the blower (57), the drive system (58) being at least partly housed in an internal casing (59) and annular around the axis (X); - at least one rotating module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, the chassis (4) and the ring (6) of the rotating module (1) forming part of the outer housing (55), and the inner surface (8) of the body (7) of the ring (6) forming part of the inner surface (56) of the outer housing (55).

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