Compressor Linkage for Variable Guide Vane and Bleed Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine engines face challenges in maintaining efficiency at varying flow rates due to the mismatch between axial and centrifugal compressor stages, requiring complex control systems and additional components for stability, which are costly and power-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A gas turbine engine design incorporating a variable outlet guide vane and a bleed assembly with a mechanical linkage assembly that couples the bleed valve actuator to the variable outlet guide vane, allowing for adjustable airflow and swirl control without separate actuators or control algorithms, optimizing compressor stability across different operating conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate bleed components and control algorithms are used to achieve compressor stability, then compressor stability is improved, but device complexity and computing power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the bleed valve actuator with the outlet guide vane actuator into a single integrated actuator that controls both components simultaneously. This merging eliminates the need for separate actuators and control algorithms for each component, reducing device complexity while maintaining compressor stability through coordinated control of bleed flow and vane angle.
Solution Approach 2:
The single actuator performs multiple functions by simultaneously controlling both the bleed valve and the outlet guide vane. This multi-functional approach replaces what would traditionally require separate dedicated actuators, reducing overall system complexity while achieving the same stability control objectives through combined action.
2Ease of operation
If separate actuators and control algorithms are used for bleed valve and outlet guide vane, then individual component control is improved, but weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate actuators into one integrated actuator that simultaneously controls both the bleed valve and outlet guide vane. This consolidation directly reduces the total weight of moving components while maintaining the capability to control each component individually through the shared actuator mechanism.
3Productivity
If compressor is sized for high power operations, then high pressure ratio and efficiency are improved, but part-speed flow matching deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs variable outlet guide vanes that can dynamically adjust their angle based on operating conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the compressor to adapt to varying flow rates and maintain optimal performance across different operating points, from high power to part-speed operations, without requiring multiple fixed-geometry compressors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the flow parameters by adjusting the outlet guide vane angle and bleed valve position according to operating conditions. This parameter adjustment enables the compressor to maintain stable operation and efficient performance across a wide range of flow rates, improving adaptability while preserving high power capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A turbine engine includes a compressor section including a compressor, the compressor including an axial compressor stage, a variable outlet guide vane, and a centrifugal compressor stage, the variable outlet guide vane positioned between the axial compressor stage and the centrifugal compressor stage; a bleed assembly including a bleed airflow duct in airflow communication with the compressor and a bleed valve operable with the bleed airflow duct, the bleed valve including a bleed valve actuator; and a linkage assembly coupling the bleed valve actuator with the variable outlet guide vane such that that variable outlet guide vane is moveable with the bleed valve.