Radially Inward Actuator for Gas Turbine Variable Guide Vanes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas turbine engines with radially outer actuators for inlet guide vanes face challenges in achieving a compact engine design and simpler operation due to the complexity of rotating cam rings, which can lead to issues like roller binding and increased engine profile.

Innovation Solution

Positioning the actuator radially inwardly of the inlet guide vanes and using an axially moving cam ring with a roller cage to pivot the vanes, allowing for a smaller engine profile and simplified operation by preventing roller binding and enabling simultaneous axial and circumferential movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the actuator is positioned radially outwardly of the inlet guide vanes, then the structure is simpler to access, but the engine profile increases and compact design becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine profileVSAvoidactuator positioning complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator is inverted from the conventional radially outward position to a radially inward position between the inlet guide vanes and the compressor stage. This inversion allows the actuator to be housed within the existing engine structure, reducing the overall engine profile and enabling compact design without requiring additional external space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If a rotating cam ring is used to actuate the inlet guide vanes, then the actuation mechanism is established, but roller binding occurs and operation becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuator operation simplicityVSAvoidroller binding issue

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cam ring is transformed from a rotating mechanism to an axially moving mechanism. This dynamic change allows the cam ring to move along the axial direction rather than rotate, eliminating the roller binding issue associated with rotation while maintaining the actuation function. The axial movement provides a simpler and more reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Volume of moving object

If the actuator is positioned radially inwardly of the inlet guide vanes, then the engine design becomes compact, but the actuator must perform axial and circumferential movement simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine profileVSAvoidactuator movement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator mechanism merges axial and circumferential movements into a single integrated system. The axially moving cam ring with its cam profile simultaneously achieves both axial translation and circumferential positioning, combining two degrees of freedom into one unified mechanism that reduces overall system complexity despite the inward positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2551469B1Internally actuated variable inlet guide vane assembly and corresponding gas turbine engine

Publication Date: 2019.03.20 UNITED TECH CORP

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AI summary

A variable inlet guide vane assembly includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced inlet guide vanes (132) mounted to pivot to change an angle of the guide vanes (132) relative to an air flow. An actuator (44) actuates the plurality of inlet guide vanes (132) to change the angle, and is positioned radially inward of the inlet guide vanes (132). A corresponding gas turbine engine is also provided.