Embedded Hydraulic Actuation in Gas Turbine Casing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face issues with weight and damage due to extensive high-pressure tubing for hydraulic fluid distribution, which increases the engine envelope and adds cost and weight, and traditional hydraulic linear actuators have separate housings.
Innovation Solution
A casing assembly with an embedded hydraulic cylinder and fluid passages within the engine case, connected to a synchronization ring, allowing for reduced external tubing and integrated hydraulic actuation, utilizing additive manufacturing for structural efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional hydraulic linear actuators with separate housings and extensive high-pressure tubing are used, then hydraulic actuation function is achieved, but weight and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hydraulic cylinder and fluid passages directly into the engine case structure, eliminating separate actuator housings and external tubing. The case itself becomes the hydraulic system containment, integrating structural support with hydraulic function to reduce weight and component count.
Solution Approach 2:
The engine case serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, contains hydraulic fluid, houses the hydraulic cylinder, and directs fluid flow through integrated passages. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated hydraulic system components, reducing overall weight.
2Reliability
If extensive high-pressure tubing is used for hydraulic fluid distribution, then hydraulic fluid delivery is achieved, but the engine envelope increases and components are exposed to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic fluid passages are merged into the engine case structure itself, eliminating external tubing. The case walls and internal structures become the fluid conduits, protecting the hydraulic system from external damage while maintaining fluid delivery function.
Solution Approach 2:
The vulnerable external tubing is extracted from the system by integrating the fluid passages directly into the case. The hydraulic function is maintained while removing the exposed, damage-prone components.
3Reliability
If extensive high-pressure tubing and separate actuator housings are used, then hydraulic actuation is achieved, but component count and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The engine case, hydraulic cylinder, and fluid passages are merged into a single integrated structure. The case becomes the hydraulic system housing and contains the fluid delivery network, eliminating multiple separate components and reducing assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The engine case performs multiple functions including structural support, hydraulic containment, and fluid distribution. This multi-functionality consolidates what would traditionally require separate components, reducing overall system complexity and cost.
4Reliability
If traditional separate housing actuators are used, then hydraulic actuation function is achieved, but weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic cylinder is merged into the case structure, with the case walls forming the cylinder housing. This integration eliminates the weight of separate actuator housings while maintaining the hydraulic actuation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The case structure serves as both the engine housing and the hydraulic cylinder, performing dual functions with a single component. This reduces the total weight by eliminating redundant structural elements.
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 design reduces component counts, weight, and the risk of damage, while enhancing durability and maintenance accessibility by embedding hydraulic components within the engine case, thus improving the overall efficiency and reliability of the gas turbine engine.
Implementation Method 1
A hydraulic cylinder and associated hydraulic fluid passages are embedded in the case. A hydraulic piston is located in the hydraulic cylinder and is movable in the hydraulic cylinder via hydraulic fluid flow into the hydraulic cylinder via the one or more hydraulic fluid passages.
Implementation Method 2
A linkage is operably connected to the hydraulic piston and extends through a coverplate installed over the open end. Movement of the hydraulic piston urges circumferential movement of the synchronization ring about the central axis.
Data Source
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AI summary
A casing assembly for a gas turbine engine (20) includes a case (72) having an outer case wall (90) extending around a central axis (A), an inner case wall (92) radially offset from the outer case wall, and one or more hydraulic fluid passages (86, 88) embedded in the case between the outer case wall and the inner case wall. A variable pitch stator vane system includes a plurality of stator vanes are located radially inboard of the inner case wall. Each stator vane is rotatable about a central vane axis (70). An actuation unit (76) is operably connected to the plurality of stator vanes and driven by hydraulic fluid through the one or more hydraulic fluid passages to urge rotation of the plurality of stator vanes about their respective central vane axes.