Adjustable Guide Vane Impact Chamber Resonance Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current turbomachines face challenges in effectively reducing resonances and vibrations, particularly in adjustable guide vanes, where existing damping methods are inadequate in dissipating resonances through friction or impact contacts.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable guide vane for turbomachines featuring a turntable with multiple impact chambers containing impulse bodies, arranged radially both externally and internally, which are designed to reduce resonances by utilizing offset shock chambers with impulse bodies in specific orientations and configurations to manage vibrations effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing damping methods (elastomeric materials, friction-based dampers) are used in adjustable guide vanes, then some vibration reduction is achieved, but they are inadequate in effectively dissipating resonances through friction or impact contacts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration reduction effectivenessVSAvoidenergy dissipation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies mechanical vibration principles by using impulse bodies that generate controlled impact contacts within impact chambers. These impact bodies strike against damping elements (such as elastomeric materials or viscoelastic materials) to create dissipative forces that counteract resonant vibrations of the guide vane blades, thereby effectively reducing vibrations through impact-based energy dissipation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful resonant vibrations into beneficial impact contacts. By allowing the vibration-induced movement of impulse bodies to strike against damping elements, the system transforms the harmful vibrational energy into useful impact forces that dissipate resonance through controlled collisions, turning the vibration problem into a vibration solution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If multiple impact chambers with impulse bodies are added to the turntable, then resonance reduction is significantly improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresonance reductionVSAvoidturntable structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the damping function into multiple independent impact chambers distributed on the turntable surface. Each impact chamber contains its own impulse body and damping element, creating modular units that can be independently positioned to target different vibration modes. This segmentation allows effective multi-directional resonance reduction while maintaining manageable structural complexity through standardized modular components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from single-point or single-line damping to a two-dimensional distributed array of impact chambers on the turntable surface. By arranging impact chambers in multiple rows and columns across the radial and axial dimensions, the system achieves comprehensive vibration coverage in multiple directions simultaneously, enhancing resonance reduction without proportionally increasing complexity through spatial distribution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Loss of energy

If impulse bodies are arranged with movement play in impact chambers, then effective impact contact for damping is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact contact effectivenessVSAvoidimpact chamber tolerance
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates damping elements (elastomeric materials, viscoelastic materials) within the impact chambers as pre-positioned cushioning components. These elements are installed beforehand to compensate for manufacturing tolerances and ensure that impulse bodies make effective contact regardless of minor dimensional variations. The cushioning material absorbs impact shocks and maintains consistent damping performance despite variations in impact chamber dimensions or impulse body positioning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the movement play (clearance) between impulse bodies and impact chamber walls as a design parameter rather than treating it as a tolerance deviation. By intentionally designing specific clearance values, the system ensures that impulse bodies can move freely to engage damping elements during vibration cycles while accommodating manufacturing variations. The movement play becomes a functional feature that enables effective impact contact across a range of manufacturing tolerances

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The described configuration significantly reduces resonances of the blade by leveraging the strategic placement and design of impact chambers and impulse bodies, enhancing vibration management and bearing technology.

Implementation Method 1

a turntable with a first impact chamber in which at least one, in particular exactly one, pulse body with play is arranged. Surprisingly, it has been shown that resonances of an adjustable guide vane can be particularly advantageously reduced by such a shock chamber with impulse bodies

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact contact: Impact Force

Implementation Method 2

WO 2012/095067 A1 discloses a turbomachine blade with resonating or impulse bodies which essentially do not reduce resonances of the blade in a dissipative manner through friction, but through impact contacts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3051063B1Variable guide vane, corresponding turbomachine and manufacturing method
Publication Date: 2019.10.09 MTU AERO ENGINES GMBH
  • EP3051063B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an adjustable guide vane for a turbomachine, comprising a blade (1) and a rotary plate (2, 3) which has a first impact chamber (4) in which a momentum body (5) is arranged with play. An associated turbomachine and a method for manufacturing an adjustable guide vane are also presented.