Lockable Turnbuckle for Turbomachine Vane Angle Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current adjustable turnbuckles in turbomachines are a liability after optimal vane angles are determined, as they can lead to undesirable length modifications during assembly, operation, and maintenance, affecting compressor efficiency and vane angles.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable and lockable turnbuckle design featuring an elongated body with internal threading, an extension rod with external threading, and a jam nut with internal threading, allowing for adjustable length and secure locking via pins through apertures in the body, rod, and jam nut skirt, preventing length adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an adjustable turnbuckle is used to determine optimal vane angles during installation and testing, then the compressor vane angles can be optimized, but the adjustability becomes a liability that allows undesired modifications during assembly, operation, and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The turnbuckle employs a dynamic design that transitions from an adjustable state during installation to a fixed state during operation. The jam nut and pin mechanism allows the system to be adjustable when needed and then lock into a fixed configuration to prevent undesired modifications, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The turnbuckle allows preliminary adjustment during installation and testing to achieve optimal vane angles, then incorporates a locking mechanism (jam nut and pin) that is activated after the optimal configuration is determined. This preliminary action followed by permanent fixation resolves the contradiction by allowing adaptability only when needed.
2Ease of operation
If the turnbuckle length is made adjustable, then optimal vane angles can be achieved during installation, but small changes in length lead to undesirable and less optimal compressor vane angles
Solution Approach 1:
The design allows preliminary adjustment during installation to achieve the optimal vane angle configuration, then permanently locks that configuration using the jam nut and pin mechanism. This ensures that once the precise optimal setting is achieved, it cannot be accidentally changed, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The turnbuckle is segmented into adjustable components (extension rod, jam nut) for initial setup and a locking component (pin) for final fixation. This segmentation allows the system to transition from an adjustable state where precision is being optimized to a fixed state where precision is maintained, resolving the contradiction between ease of adjustment and precision maintenance.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable and lockable turnbuckle may include an elongated body having internal threading within a first end thereof. The turnbuckle may include a first extension rod having external threading configured to mate with the internal threading at the first end of the elongated body. The turnbuckle may include a first jam nut having internal threading and a skirt. The internal threading of the first jam nut may be configured to mate with the external threading of the first extension rod to tighten the first jam nut against the first end of the elongated body so that the skirt of the first jam nut is positionable about the first end of the elongated body. A first aperture may extend through the elongated body, the first extension rod, and the skirt of the first jam nut. Moreover, a first pin may be positioned within the first aperture.