Variable Guide Vane Rolling Joint for Backlash-Free Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing turbine engines face challenges in effectively controlling the angular orientation of variable guide vanes due to conventional actuation methods, which often result in rotational slippage and backlash, especially under varying load conditions.

Innovation Solution

A variable guide vane control system utilizing a drive ring and rollers connected by flexible members, which eliminates rotational slippage and backlash through a tethered arrangement, ensuring precise vane positioning and control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional actuators are used to actuate variable guide vanes, then the control system is simple in structure, but rotational slippage and backlash occur under varying load conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidactuator mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical actuators with a magnetic coupling system that uses magnetic fields to transmit rotational force from the drive ring to the vanes. This eliminates mechanical contact, thereby eliminating rotational slippage and backlash while maintaining control precision under varying load conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a magnetic coupling field as an intermediary between the drive ring and the vanes. This magnetic field acts as a non-contact mediator that transmits rotational force without mechanical contact, preventing slippage and backlash while allowing precise control of vane angular orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If traditional vane actuation mechanisms are used, then the device complexity is low, but rotational slippage occurs under varying load conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovevanE positioning accuracyVSAvoidcontrol system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical actuation mechanisms with a magnetic coupling system. The magnetic field transmits rotational force without mechanical contact, eliminating slippage and ensuring accurate vane positioning under varying load conditions while maintaining relatively simple device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If conventional actuators are used for VGV control, then the system is easy to manufacture, but backlash occurs affecting control precision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevane angular orientationVSAvoidactuator assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical actuators with a magnetic coupling system that eliminates backlash by using magnetic fields instead of mechanical contact. This improves manufacturing precision of vane angular orientation while the modular magnetic coupling design maintains ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4269755B1Variable guide vane control system

Publication Date: 2026.03.18 PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

A variable guide vane control system (40) comprising an actuator (40A) and a rolling contact joint (40B). The joint includes a drive ring (50) rotatable about a drive axis (AD) and at least one roller (60) rotatable about a roller axis (AR) parallel to the drive axis (AD) and drivingly connectable to a vane (30). A first flexible member (70') and a second flexible member (70") connect the drive ring (50) and the roller (60) to one another. The first flexible member (70') and the second flexible member (70") are respectively tensioned when the drive ring (50) rotates about the drive axis in a first direction (R1) and in a second direction (R2) opposite the first direction (R1).