Unlockable shimming assembly for test machine blade and associated shimming method

Abstract

Unlockable shimming assembly for a test machine blade and associated shimming method. One aspect of the invention relates to a shimming assembly (1) for a test machine blade (3), comprising an annular support (7) that encloses a receiving housing (15) for the blade foot (9). This housing has on its outer part (16) at least one re-entrant return (17) that narrows it, and contains a shimming device (8) for said foot. The shimming device comprises a fixed guide (23) with a radial threaded rod (27), a threaded shimming piece (24) that engages with the threaded rod, which is movable by screwing / unscrewing along the threaded rod and which pushes the foot against the re-entrant return when it moves outwards, and an actuating lever (25) whose pivoting causes the shimming piece to screw / unscrew onto the threaded rod. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Unlockable shimming assembly for a testing machine blade and associated shimming method. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The technical field of the invention is that of test machines for the development of aircraft turbomachinery.

[0002] The present invention relates to a unlockable shimming assembly for a turbine blade of a turbomachine test machine, preferably for a blade with adjustable angular orientation. It also relates to a turbomachine test machine comprising such a shimming assembly, as well as a shimming method using such a shimming assembly. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] To develop and optimize the settings of aircraft turbomachinery, it is common to use test machines. These test machines make it possible to test the aerodynamic and acoustic behavior of the various elements of the turbomachine and in particular to determine the optimal angular positioning of the moving blades of the rotors and the fixed blades of the stators in order to obtain the best possible performance.

[0004] These test machines conventionally include blades with adjustable angular orientation in order to be able to simulate a precise angular positioning of these blades and / or test different positionings according to the result of the tests, in order to optimize the air flow in the turbomachine.

[0005] These blades can be mounted on either a fixed or rotating hub and thus belong to a stator or rotor stage. Examples include the moving blades of the blower, the fixed flow straightening blades located downstream of the blower, called outlet guide vanes or OGVs (Outlet guide vanes), or the blades of the stator or rotor stages of compressors.

[0006] Before a test session with the test machine, the angular positioning of these blades (their angle of attack) relative to the airflow passing through them must be set while the test machine is stopped.

[0007] For this adjustment, these blades are first unlocked from their support, then pivoted around their axis until the desired angular position is reached. These blades must then be locked back into position so that the chosen angular position is maintained during the operation of the test machine.

[0008] A stabilizing system, capable of holding these blades in position during the operation of the test machine and which is easily unlockable when stopped for Therefore, allowing their adjustment is necessary.

[0009] Currently, in test machines, the blade alignment system is not designed to be unlockable. Therefore, to perform the angular adjustment, the alignment system of each blade must be manually disassembled, and then, once the adjustment is made, precisely reassembled without altering the angular setting, even though the assembly is difficult to access. This operation, which must be carried out blade by blade, is lengthy, tedious, and delicate.

[0010] An objective of the invention is to provide an alternative blade-locking system for a test machine, which is easily and quickly lockable and unlockable without dismantling the locking system. Summary of the invention

[0011] A first aspect of the invention relates to a shimming assembly for a turbine blade of an X-axis turbomachine test machine.

[0012] This shimming assembly comprises: • a blade, comprising a foot and a body extending radially from this foot; • an annular support with axis X, which contains a housing in which the foot of the blade is received and which has on its external face an opening for access to said housing through which the body passes, • a device for securing the base of the blade located in said housing.

[0013] According to the invention, said housing includes in its external part at least one re-entrant return which narrows the housing.

[0014] In addition, the shearing device comprises: • a threaded rod guide with radial Y axis, said guide being fixed relative to the annular support; • a shim piece which has a tapped bore engaging with said threaded rod, the shim piece being movable along the threaded rod inwards by screwing and outwards by unscrewing the tapped bore on the threaded rod, and which when it moves outwards pushes the foot of the blade against the inward return of the housing, • an actuating lever for the shim piece, attached to the shim piece and whose pivoting around the Y axis causes the threaded bore on the threaded rod to be screwed or unscrewed.

[0015] In this application, two elements are said to be "joined" to each other if they are made from a single piece or are fixed to each other permanently or temporarily so as to move together in a common motion. They may thus, for example, be monoblocs or be welded, glued, screwed or clipped to each other.

[0016] The lever can thus be integral with the shim or permanently fixed to it. It can also be removable and fixed to the shim, for example by screwing, just before performing the shim-setting or unlocking operation of the shim assembly, and then removed afterwards. The same lever can therefore be used for several shim assemblies.

[0017] Furthermore, screwing a tapped element onto a threaded element is defined as the movement that brings these two elements closer together and unscrewing as the movement that moves these two elements away from each other.

[0018] Thanks to the alignment assembly of the invention, the blade can be aligned or released very easily and quickly by simply pivoting the actuating lever. Furthermore, it is not necessary to disassemble any parts of the alignment assembly or the blade to achieve this.

[0019] Furthermore, with the leveling assembly according to the invention, the leveling device is housed within the annular support, and no part of this device or any fastening element is located or protrudes into the airflow channel of the test machine. The leveling system therefore does not generate any disturbance in the aerodynamic flow.

[0020] Advantageously, the shim piece can be a nut.

[0021] Advantageously, the guide can be fixed to the inner wall of the housing.

[0022] Advantageously, the shimming assembly may further include a locking device for the shim's actuating lever. This device locks the actuating lever in position once the shimming has been achieved. It thus prevents vibrations from causing the lever to pivot and loosen the shimming during operation of the test machine.

[0023] Advantageously, the lever can be a rod having a first end fixed to the shim and a second end extending out of the housing through an opening in the annular support. The free end of the lever can thus be easily grasped and actuated without having to open or disassemble the annular support.

[0024] Advantageously, the blade's base may include an inwardly open cavity in which the shim and threaded rod are housed. The shim assembly according to the invention is thus particularly compact.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the access opening to the housing may be a slot running around the annular support, and the housing itself a U-shaped groove running around the annular support and narrowed on the outside by two opposing inward-curving returns. The housing is thus a collective housing in which the feet of all the blades of the relevant blade ring can be housed.

[0026] According to another embodiment, the annular support may have on its circumference a plurality of round openings giving access to a plurality of individual housings, each narrowed on the outside by a single circular inward return. Each opening thus provides access to an individual housing in which is housed the base of a single blade from the relevant row of blades.

[0027] Advantageously, the annular support may comprise an upstream part and a downstream part which are assembled together. The positioning and assembly of the various elements of the shoring assembly are thus facilitated.

[0028] A second aspect of the invention relates to a turbomachine test machine comprising at least one calibration assembly as described above.

[0029] A third aspect of the invention relates to a method for aligning a turbine blade of an X-axis turbomachine test machine, carried out using an alignment assembly as described above and in which: • The actuating lever of the shim piece is rotated in the direction causing the threaded bore on the threaded rod to unscrew until the foot of the blade is wedged between the shim piece and the inward return of the housing.

[0030] This shimming method is therefore very easy and quick to implement and requires no dismantling.

[0031] Unlocking the shim assembly is very simple by a reverse movement of the actuating lever which, by causing the threaded bore to screw onto the threaded rod, releases the foot of the blade from the clamping stress.

[0032] The invention and its various applications will be better understood by reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0033] The figures are presented for illustrative purposes only and are in no way limiting of the invention.

[0034] [Fig.1] is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a test machine according to an example of the invention.

[0035] [Fig.2] and [Fig.3] are schematic cross-sectional views of an example assembly of shimming according to the invention, shown side view on [Fig.2], and top view without the blade or the annular support on [Fig.3], this shimming assembly being in the locked position.

[0036] [Fig.4] and [Fig.5] are schematic cross-sectional views corresponding respectively in [Fig.2] and [Fig.3], in which the shimming assembly is in the unlocked position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Unless otherwise specified, the same element appearing on different figures has a unique reference.

[0038] In the present application, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" are defined with respect to the normal direction of gas flow (upstream to downstream) through a turbomachine test machine.

[0039] The longitudinal axis of the test machine, corresponding to the axis of rotation of the rotor of that test machine, is also called the "axis of the test machine." This axis is designated X in the figures. The axial direction corresponds to the direction of this X axis, and a radial direction is a direction perpendicular to the X axis and intersecting it. For example, the Y axis has a radial direction.

[0040] Unless otherwise specified, the adjectives "interior", "internal", "exterior", " "external" are used in this application with reference to a radial direction, such that the inner part of an element is, along a radial direction, closer to the X-axis than the outer part of the same element.

[0041] Furthermore, the terms "top", "bottom", "upper", "lower" are defined with respect to the orientation of the parts as shown in the figures. It is clear that this orientation will not necessarily be maintained during use.

[0042] The figures show an example of a shimming assembly 1 according to the invention. This shimming assembly 1 is intended to be installed in a turbomachine test machine 2.

[0043] An example of a test machine 2 has been partially shown in [Fig. 1]. Such a test machine 2 makes it possible to simulate an aircraft turbomachine and to test its components under different aerodynamic conditions in order to study their performance.

[0044] The test machine 2 comprises numerous blades 3 arranged in a succession of rings 4 of axis X, such as for example the blower 5 which is located furthest upstream and which is a ring of movable blades 3, or the stator rectifier ring 6 which is located downstream of the blower 5 and which includes adjustable orientation blades 3 of the OGV type.

[0045] A shimming assembly 1 is advantageously installed for each of these blades 3.

[0046] An example of a shimming assembly 1 has been more specifically represented in Figures 2 to 5. It includes a blade 3, an annular support 7 with axis X and a shimming device 8.

[0047] The blade 3 comprises a foot 9 which is extended by a body 11 forming, via a web 10 of smaller diameter, a curved blade 12 which extends outwards in a generally radial direction.

[0048] The annular support 7 has at its external face 13 an opening 14 giving access to a housing 15 contained within the annular support 7 and intended to receive the foot 9 of the blade 3. The blade 3 is thus engaged through this opening 14 and its foot 9 housed in the housing 15.

[0049] In the example shown, the width of this housing 15 is narrowed in the outer part 16 (that is to say in the upper part according to the orientation shown) by two re-entrant returns 17 directed towards each other which engage in the narrowing 18 located at the level of the soul 10, between the foot 9 and the body 11 of the blade 3.

[0050] In this way, the re-entrant returns 17 ensure the centering of the foot 9 of the blade 3 in the housing 15, as well as its longitudinal retention.

[0051] The shape and number of the re-entrant returns 17 can vary depending on the variant. There may thus be a single re-entrant return 17, which preferentially goes around the opening 14 in the manner of a peripheral rim, but which may also occupy only part of its perimeter.

[0052] There may also be several inward returns 17, for example two, three or more, distributed around the opening 14 preferably regularly.

[0053] To avoid a possible slant of the foot 9 of the blade 3, the re-entrant return(s) 17 preferentially form a continuous stop which extends over more than half of the perimeter of the opening 14 or several discontinuous stops located on either side of the opening 14, for example according to locations symmetrical with respect to a plane or an axis of symmetry of the opening 14 or according to a regular angular arrangement around the opening 14.

[0054] According to the variants, the housing 15 can be an individual housing, for example substantially cylindrical, for the foot 9 of a single blade 3, the annular support 7 then comprising a plurality of housings 15 over its entire circumference for all the blades 3 of a ring 4.

[0055] Alternatively, it may be a collective and continuous housing for all the feet 9 of the blades 3 of the crown 4. The opening 14 may then be, for example, a slot going around the annular support 7 and the housing 15 a U-shaped groove whose outer part is narrowed by re-entrant returns 17 preferably in the form of two opposite annular ribs.

[0056] To facilitate assembly, the annular support 7 is preferably made in two parts, an upstream part 19 and a downstream part 20, which are assembled together, for example by screwing, once the different elements of the assembly have been arranged.

[0057] In the example shown, the internal wall 21 forming the bottom of the housing 15 belongs to the upstream part 19 of the annular support 7. According to the variants, it can alternatively belong to the downstream part 20, or be made in two pieces, one belonging to the upstream part 19 and the other to the downstream part 20.

[0058] The shimming device 8 is also located in the housing 15 of the annular support 7, preferably interposed between the inner wall 21 and the foot 9 of the blade 3. In the example shown, it is housed in a cavity 22, substantially cylindrical and open inwards (i.e. downwards), from foot 9 of dawn 3.

[0059] This shimming device 8 includes a guide 23, a shimming piece 24 and a lever 25 for actuating the shimming piece 24.

[0060] The guide 23 is fixed relative to the annular support 7 and its housing 15. It includes a support plate 26, for example circular, which is integral with the annular support 7. This support plate 26 is preferably placed on the internal wall 21 to which it is preferably fixed by screwing.

[0061] The guide 23 also includes a threaded rod 27 with radial axis Y, which starts from the support plate 26 and extends outwards.

[0062] The shim piece 24, which is preferably a bolt 28, includes a threaded bore 29 which is engaged on the threaded rod 27 of the guide 23. The shim piece 24 thus moves along the threaded rod 27, downwards (inside) if it is rotated in the direction of screwing, and upwards (outside) if it is rotated in the direction of unscrewing.

[0063] When the shim piece 24 moves upwards (outwards), it comes to rest against the foot 9 of the blade 3, then, if its movement continues, pushes it upwards (outwards) until the foot 9 is against the re-entrant returns 17.

[0064] The lever 25 is integral with the shim piece 24 and allows the shim piece 24 to be driven in screwing or unscrewing rotation on the threaded rod 27, by rotating the lever 25 around the Y axis.

[0065] In the example shown, this lever 25 is a rod whose first end 30 is made as a single piece with or fixed to the shim piece 24 and whose second end 31 protrudes out of the housing 15 through an opening 32 in the annular support 7 and allows the lever 25 to be actuated.

[0066] When the shim piece 24 is located in a cavity 22 of the foot 9 of the blade 3, an opening 33 is also provided in the foot 9 so that the lever 25 can pass through it.

[0067] The openings 32 and 33 have sufficient dimensions to allow the movement of the lever 25 and the displacement of the shim piece 24.

[0068] However, the movement of the lever 25 remains limited, since an angular displacement of less than a quarter turn is generally sufficient to achieve the shimming, the amplitude of the angular displacement required depending on the pitch chosen for the thread of the threaded rod 27. Indeed, the larger the pitch and the greater the radial displacement of the shimming piece 24 for the same angular displacement of the lever 25.

[0069] The method of leveling using leveling assembly 1 is derived from the means described above.

[0070] To wedge the foot 9 of the blade 3 into the housing 15, simply grasp the end 31 lever 25 and rotate lever 25 around the Y axis to cause the unscrewing of the tapped bore 29 on the threaded rod 27. By this movement, the shim piece 24 moves upwards (outwards) along the threaded rod 27 and comes to rest against the foot 9 of the blade 3 which it pushes upwards (outwards).

[0071] Lever 25 is continued to be operated until the foot 9 of the blade 3 comes to rest against the retractable returns 17. The foot 9 is then wedged between the shim 24 and the retractable returns 17, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. This wedges the blade 3 by wedging its foot 9 with a force that increases as the screw tightens. In this configuration, pivoting of the blade 3 is impossible.

[0072] The alignment assembly 1 according to the invention is thus perfectly capable of maintaining the blades in position during the operation of the test machine 2, despite the aerodynamic forces which the blades 3 are subjected to. On the contrary, the alignment is further improved by the centrifugal force which is exerted on the blades during their rotation and which tends to press the feet 9 even more against the re-entrant returns 17.

[0073] Optionally, the assembly can be completed by a lever locking device 25 which locks the lever in position once the foot 9 has been wedged. Such a device advantageously prevents the assembly from loosening due to vibrations during the operation of the test machine.

[0074] The locking assembly can be easily unlocked by proceeding in the opposite direction.

[0075] It is simply a matter of grasping the end 31 of the lever 25 and rotating it around the Y axis in the direction causing the tapped bore 29 on the threaded rod 27 to unscrew. By this movement, the shim 24 moves downwards (inwards) along the threaded rod 27 and releases the foot 9 from its jamming against the re-entrant returns 17. The shim assembly 1 is then unlocked as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. The blade 3, freed from the constraint at its foot 9, is then no longer wedged and can, for example, be rotated to change its angular orientation.

[0076] Thanks to the shimming assembly 1 according to the invention, the angular orientation of the blade 12 can be adjusted very simply and quickly.

[0077] Indeed, it is sufficient to remove the cover (if there is one) giving access to the free end 31 of the lever 25 and to rotate the lever 25 to obtain the unlocking of the shim assembly 1 without having to dismantle it.

[0078] The angular position of the blade 3 can then be freely modified until the desired final position for the blade 12 is obtained.

[0079] It is then simply a matter of rotating the lever 25 in the opposite direction to again lock the foot 9 of the blade 3 and obtain the blade 3 in the desired angular position. The cover is then closed and the test machine 2 can be used.

Claims

Demands

1. A shimming assembly (1) for a blade (3) of an X-axis turbomachine test machine (2), said shimming assembly comprising: - a blade (3), comprising a foot (9) and a body (11) extending radially from this foot; - an annular support (7) with axis X, which contains a housing (15) in which the foot (9) of the blade (3) is received and which has on its external face an opening (14) for access to said housing (15) through which the body (11) passes, - a wedge device (8) for the foot (9) of the blade (3) located in said housing (15), - a shimming assembly (1) characterized in that said housing (15) comprises in its external part (16) at least one re-entrant return (17) which narrows the housing (15), and - in that the stabilizing device (8) comprises: • a guide (23) with a threaded rod (27) with radial Y axis, said guide (23) being fixed relative to the annular support (7); • a shim piece (24) which has a tapped bore (29) engaging with said threaded rod (27), the shim piece (24) being movable along the threaded rod (27) inwards by screwing and outwards by unscrewing the tapped bore (29) on the threaded rod (27), and which when it moves outwards pushes the foot (9) of the blade (3) against the re-entrant return (17) of the housing (15), • a lever (25) for actuating the shim piece (24), attached to the shim piece (24) and whose pivoting around the radial Y axis causes the threaded bore (29) to be screwed or unscrewed onto the threaded rod (27).

2. Shim assembly (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that the shim piece (24) is a nut (28).

3. Shim assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it further comprises a locking device for the lever (25) of actuating the shim piece (24).

4. Shim assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the actuating lever (25) is a rod having a first end (30) integral with the shim piece (24) and a second end (31) which protrudes out of the housing (15) through an opening (32) in the annular support (17).

5. Shim assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the foot (9) of the blade (3) has an inwardly open cavity (22) in which the shim piece (24) and the threaded rod (27) are housed.

6. A shimming assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the access opening (14) to the housing (15) is a slot going around the annular support (7), and the housing (15) is a U-shaped groove going around the annular support (7) and which is narrowed in its outer part (16) by two opposing re-entrant returns (17).

7. A shimming assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the annular support (7) has on its circumference a plurality of round openings (14) giving access to a plurality of individual housings (15), each narrowed in its outer part (16) by a single circular re-entrant return (17).

8. A shimming assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the annular support (7) comprises an upstream part (19) and a downstream part (20) which are assembled to each other.

9. Turbomachine test machine (2) characterized in that it comprises at least one calibration assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

10. Method of setting a blade (6) of X-axis turbomachine test machine (2), characterized in that it is carried out by means of a setting assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and in which the lever (25) for actuating the setting piece (24) is rotated in the direction causing the tapped bore (29) on the threaded rod (27) to unscrew until the foot (9) of the blade (3) is wedged between the setting piece (24) and the retractable return (17) of the housing (15).

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