Gas Turbine Airfoil Actuator Synchronization via Controller Bias

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In gas turbine engines, the independent operation of first and second actuators for adjusting airfoil positions leads to unintended mismatches between airfoil arrays, necessitating a synchronization mechanism to maintain desired positional relationships.

Innovation Solution

A controller monitors operating parameters to determine position demands for both actuators, with the option to apply a bias value for the second actuator, ensuring synchronized operation and maintaining desired positional relationships between airfoil arrays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If separate actuators operate independently to adjust airfoil positions, then each actuator can be controlled individually, but mismatches occur between airfoil arrays

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIndependent actuator controlVSAvoidAirfoil array positional alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The controller receives feedback signals from position sensors that monitor the actual positions of both actuators. This feedback is used to continuously adjust control outputs and maintain synchronized operation, ensuring that position demands for the second actuator are coordinated with the first actuator's position while accounting for measured deviations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The controller is designed to manage multiple actuators and airfoil arrays simultaneously through a unified control architecture. It can determine position demands for both actuators based on operating parameters and apply coordination logic, making the control system universally applicable to multiple airfoil arrays while maintaining their positional relationships.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If a synchronization mechanism is implemented to maintain positional relationships, then airfoil array alignment is improved, but control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAirfoil array positional alignmentVSAvoidController coordination mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller determines position demands for the second actuator based on the position demands already established for the first actuator. By establishing the primary actuator's position demand first and then deriving the second actuator's demand from it, the system pre-coordinates the actuators before execution, reducing the complexity of real-time synchronization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller acts as an intermediary that translates operating parameters into coordinated position demands for multiple actuators. It mediates between the need for independent actuator control and the requirement for synchronized operation by applying coordination logic that accounts for actuator-specific characteristics and maintains desired positional relationships.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If position demands are determined based on operating parameters, then actuator response to engine conditions is improved, but synchronization between actuators becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveActuator response to operating conditionsVSAvoidActuator operation synchronization

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The controller continuously monitors the actual positions of both actuators through position sensors and uses this feedback to adjust control outputs. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that adaptability to operating conditions is maintained while simultaneously correcting any synchronization deviations, thereby ensuring reliable coordinated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control system dynamically adjusts position demands for the second actuator based on the actual measured positions of both actuators and the current operating parameters. This dynamic coordination allows the system to adapt to changing engine conditions while maintaining synchronized actuator operation through continuous real-time adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10400680B2System and method for synchronizing the operation of airfoil actuators of a gas turbine engine

Publication Date: 2019.09.03 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

A method for controlling the operation of a gas turbine includes monitoring an operating parameter of the gas turbine engine. The method also includes determining a first position demand for controlling an operation of a first actuator based on the monitored operating parameter. In addition, the method includes controlling the operation of the first actuator based on the first position demand to adjust the angular position of at least one airfoil included within a first array of airfoils. The method further includes determining a second position demand for controlling the operation of a second actuator based on the first position demand. In addition, the method also includes controlling the operation of the second actuator based on the second position demand to adjust the angular position of at least one airfoil included within a second array of airfoils.