Modular Crank Shaft for Gas Turbine Guide Vane Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustment devices for guide vanes in gas turbine engines have limited flexibility in modifying the radial position of coupling elements and transmission ratios, making it difficult to achieve coordinated adjustments during the development phase.
Innovation Solution
A modular crank shaft design with multiple shaft modules that can be fixated relative to each other via toothing, allowing for different rotational positions and radial adjustments of coupling elements, enabling various transmission ratios and adjustment options without requiring a new crank shaft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a single-piece crank shaft is used with optimally positioned coupling elements, then the guide vane adjustment is precise and coordinated, but the adaptability to vary radial positions and transmission ratios is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The crank shaft is divided into multiple shaft modules that can be detached and reconfigured. Each shaft module can be independently positioned and fixed relative to others using toothing mechanisms, allowing the radial positions of coupling elements to be varied while maintaining precise coordinated adjustment of guide vanes.
2Device complexity
If the radial position of coupling elements is fixed on a solid shaft, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the flexibility to adjust transmission ratios and coordination is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The crank shaft structure transitions from a fixed single-piece design to a dynamic modular configuration. Shaft modules can be repositioned and reconfigured during the development phase to adjust transmission ratios and coordination, while maintaining structural simplicity through standardized toothing connection mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a modular crank shaft with adjustable shaft modules is used, then the flexibility and adaptability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The crank shaft is segmented into standardized shaft modules with uniform toothing interfaces. This segmentation enables flexibility and adaptability during the development phase while controlling complexity through modular standardization, allowing reconfiguration without requiring completely different structural designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft modules are designed with universal toothing connections that can accommodate different radial positions and transmission ratios. This multi-functionality allows the same modular components to serve multiple adjustment purposes, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustment device for adjusting several guide vanes of the engine, wherein the adjustment device includes at least one adjusting element that couples with the guide vanes and is mounted in an adjustable manner, a connection element that couples with the adjusting element, as well as a crank shaft for controlling an adjusting movement of the adjusting element, and the crank shaft has at least one coupling element which couples with the connection element and at which the connection element is hinged to transform a rotational movement of the crank shaft about a longitudinal axis of the crank shaft into an adjusting movement of the adjusting element for adjusting the guide vanes. The crank shaft has a modular design with at least two shaft modules that are arranged behind each other along the longitudinal axis of the crank shaft.