Articulated Discharge Door Ring for Uniform Turbomachine Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuation systems for turbomachine discharge gates are bulky, complex, and inefficient due to their rigidity and actuation mechanisms, leading to high implementation costs and uneven door opening.
Innovation Solution
A control system for turbomachine discharge gates utilizing a ring of interconnected bars with rotational links and actuators, such as linear actuators or rotary motors, to pivot the bars and synchronously operate multiple doors, supported by bearings and lever systems, reducing bulkiness and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rotating control ring with connecting rods is used to actuate discharge gates, then synchronous operation of multiple doors is achieved, but the system becomes bulky and complex in both axial and radial directions
Solution Approach 1:
The control ring is segmented into multiple independent bars (first bars and second bars) connected by rotational links. Each bar can pivot independently to actuate a discharge gate, replacing the monolithic rotating control ring. This segmentation reduces the overall complexity and bulkiness while maintaining the synchronous operation capability through the interconnected rotational links.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a rigid rotating control ring to a dynamic articulated structure where bars can pivot relative to each other through rotational links. This dynamic configuration allows the control mechanism to adapt its shape during operation, reducing the required space and simplifying the overall system architecture while preserving synchronized door actuation.
2Strength
If a thick control ring is used to ensure sufficient rigidity, then structural stability is improved, but the system becomes more bulky and expensive to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The thick rigid control ring is divided into multiple thinner bars connected by rotational links. Each bar requires less material and occupies less space, yet the articulated structure as a whole maintains sufficient rigidity through the interconnected geometry and the constraint of synchronous motion, thereby reducing bulkiness while preserving structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The functionality of a single thick rigid ring is merged into multiple thinner bars working in unison through rotational links. The combined system achieves the necessary rigidity and stability through cooperative motion and geometric constraints, eliminating the need for excessive material in any single component and reducing overall system bulkiness.
3Device complexity
If a torsionally rigid control cable is used to actuate doors, then system simplicity is improved, but uneven door opening occurs due to insufficient torsional rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The static torsionally rigid cable is replaced with a dynamic articulated bar mechanism where rotational links enforce synchronized motion. This dynamic structure naturally ensures that all bars move through the same angular displacement, guaranteeing uniform door opening while maintaining relative simplicity through the use of standard pivot joints and connecting rods.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system (27) for controlling discharge doors (26a-26f) of a turbomachine, said system comprising a ring (28) and means for connecting this ring (28) to each discharge door (26a-26f). According to the invention, the ring (28) is made up of bars (29a-29f, 31a-31f) connected end-to-end by rotary links (32) ensuring that a bar pivoting on itself causes the other bars (29a-29f, 31a-31f) to pivot on themselves, with each discharge door (26a-26f) being connected to a corresponding bar (31a-31f) in order to open or close when this bar pivots.