Asymmetric Inlet Guide Vane Strut for Gas Turbine Flow Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Variable geometry inlet guide vanes in gas turbine engines often result in unwanted airflow separation, leading to turbulent airflow and increased wear on downstream components due to the fixed strut and movable flap configuration.

Innovation Solution

The use of a fixed strut with chordwise asymmetry, which reduces airflow separation by enabling some gas turning prior to reaching the flap, thereby maintaining laminar flow and reducing the flap's deflection load.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed strut and movable flap configuration is used for variable geometry inlet guide vanes, then airflow deflection capability is improved, but airflow separation and turbulence increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow deflection capabilityVSAvoidairflow separation and turbulence

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fixed strut is designed with asymmetric cross-section where the suction side surface has a larger radius of curvature than the pressure side surface. This asymmetric geometry modifies the airflow patterns around the strut, reducing flow separation and turbulence while maintaining the ability to deflect airflow effectively through the combination of strut and flap components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Ease of operation

If the flap is positioned to alter deflection of airflow, then airflow control is improved, but wear on downstream components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow controlVSAvoidwear on downstream components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The asymmetric cross-section of the fixed strut reduces turbulence and flow separation, which directly decreases wear on downstream components. The suction side surface with larger radius of curvature creates smoother airflow transitions, reducing the turbulent wear effect while the flap maintains airflow control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The fixed strut performs preliminary airflow modification and turning before the airflow reaches the movable flap. By pre-conditioning the flow to be more stable and less turbulent, the strut reduces the workload and wear impact on subsequent components, including the flap and downstream engine components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration minimizes airflow separation and wear on components, allowing for efficient and smooth airflow deflection without the need for excessive flap deflection, enhancing the durability and performance of gas turbine engines.

Implementation Method 1

Some positions of the flap may result in unwanted airflow separation from the surface of the flap, resulting in a turbulent airflow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow separation: Flow Separation

Implementation Method 2

maintaining laminar flow and reducing the flap's deflection load

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaminar flow: Laminar Flow

Implementation Method 3

enabling some gas turning prior to reaching the flap, thereby maintaining laminar flow and reducing the flap's deflection load

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas turning:

Data Source

PatentUS9249736B2Inlet guide vanes and gas turbine engine systems involving such vanes

Publication Date: 2016.02.02 RTX CORP

AI summary

Inlet guide vanes and gas turbine engine systems involving such vanes are provided, In this regard, a representative an inlet guide vane for a gas turbine engine includes: a fixed strut; and a variable flap located downstream of the fixed strut and being movable with respect thereto; the fixed strut having a leading edge, a trailing edge and side surfaces extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge, the side surfaces being asymmetric with respect to each other.