Asymmetric Inlet Guide Vanes for Low-Loss Turbomachine Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional turbomachinery plenums with symmetrical inlet guide vanes introduce losses that negatively affect compressor performance and reduce efficiency due to inlet swirl corrections.

Innovation Solution

A plenum design with a plurality of inlet guide vanes having different profiles and orientations, including symmetrical, cambered, and varying lengths, to minimize losses and optimize flow paths, allowing for rotational adjustment to accommodate varying mass flow angles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If symmetrical inlet guide vanes are used to correct inlet swirl, then the ability to handle varying mass flow is improved, but losses in the plenum increase and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle varying mass flowVSAvoidlosses in the plenum

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by configuring inlet guide vanes with different profiles and orientations rather than using identical symmetrical vanes. Each vane is specifically shaped and angled to optimize flow guidance for its particular position in the plenum, reducing unnecessary flow disturbances and losses while maintaining the ability to handle varying mass flow conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by giving each inlet guide vane unique characteristics (different profiles, camber angles, and orientations) tailored to its specific location and local flow conditions. This localized optimization allows each vane to efficiently guide flow in its specific region without creating the losses associated with uniform symmetrical configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If inlet guide vanes are rotated about their axis to correct inlet swirl, then compressor operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressor operationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring each inlet guide vane with its optimal profile and orientation during manufacturing, rather than requiring runtime rotation adjustments. The vanes are designed beforehand to automatically correct inlet swirl for different mass flow conditions, eliminating the need for complex rotation mechanisms while maintaining operational effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3161322B1Turbomachine inlet nozzle for asymmetric flow, with vanes of different shapes

Publication Date: 2023.10.04 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

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AI summary

In some embodiments, a plenum of an apparatus for transferring energy between a rotating element and a fluid may include a through hole disposed through the plenum; a plurality of inlet guide vanes disposed proximate a peripheral edge of the through hole, the plurality of inlet guide vanes comprising a first group of inlet guide vanes having a symmetrical profile, a second group of inlet guide vanes, and a third group of inlet guide vanes, wherein each inlet guide vane of the second group and third group have a cambered profile, and wherein each inlet guide vane of the third group has a different cambered profile from each other inlet guide vane of the third group.