Morphable Rotor Blades for Turbine Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rotor blades in gas turbine engines are designed for optimal performance at a single operating condition, leading to inefficiencies at other design points, such as varying rotating speeds and temperatures, which affects aerodynamic efficiency and specific fuel consumption.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of morphable rotor blades featuring a lattice structure made from shape memory alloys or piezoelectric materials that can change shape in response to stimuli like temperature or electrical signals, allowing for passive or active control of the airfoil shape at different operating conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If rotor blades are designed for optimal performance at a single operating condition, then aerodynamic efficiency is improved at that specific condition, but aerodynamic efficiency deteriorates at other operating conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic efficiencyVSAvoidadaptability to different operating conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The rotor blade incorporates a morphable portion that can dynamically change its shape from a first configuration to a second configuration in response to operating conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the blade to optimize aerodynamic efficiency across varying operating conditions, resolving the contradiction between single-condition optimization and multi-condition adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the rotor blade by introducing a morphable portion that can alter its shape. This parameter change enables the blade to adjust its aerodynamic characteristics to match different operating conditions, thereby maintaining high aerodynamic efficiency across a range of speeds and temperatures rather than being optimized for only one condition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If rotor blades have fixed shape designed for single operating point, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but aerodynamic efficiency is lost at varying rotating speeds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidaerodynamic efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotor blade is segmented into a fixed portion and a morphable portion. The fixed portion maintains manufacturing simplicity while the morphable portion introduces adaptability. This segmentation allows the blade to combine the ease of manufacturing fixed structures with the performance benefits of variable geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The morphable portion is constructed using composite materials or structures that enable shape transformation while maintaining structural integrity. This composite approach allows the blade to achieve complex morphing capabilities without significantly complicating the overall manufacturing process, balancing manufacturing simplicity with aerodynamic efficiency across varying speeds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Device complexity

If conventional fixed airfoil shape is used, then device complexity is minimized, but specific fuel consumption increases due to inefficiency at non-design points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblade structure complexityVSAvoidspecific fuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The introduction of a morphable portion that can change shape dynamically adds complexity to the blade structure but enables optimization of aerodynamic efficiency across multiple operating conditions. This dynamic capability reduces energy losses and specific fuel consumption by ensuring the blade operates at or near optimal efficiency regardless of varying flight conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The morphable rotor blade design provides multi-functionality by enabling the same blade to optimize performance across different operating conditions (takeoff, cruise, etc.). This universal design reduces the need for condition-specific blades, and the energy savings from improved aerodynamic efficiency throughout operation offset the additional structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This solution enhances aerodynamic efficiency and reduces specific fuel consumption by adjusting the blade shape according to operating conditions, such as takeoff or cruise modes, thereby improving the overall performance of the turbine engine.

Implementation Method 1

The morphable portion includes a lattice structure including a morphable material, such as a shape memory alloy or a piezoelectric material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape memory alloy: Shape Memory Alloy

Implementation Method 2

The morphable portion includes a lattice structure including a morphable material, such as a shape memory alloy or a piezoelectric material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12065943B2Morphable rotor blades and turbine engine systems including the same

Publication Date: 2024.08.20 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

Morphable rotor blades for a turbine engine systems include a root portion and an airfoil portion having a morphable portion including a morphable material that changes shape in response to a stimulus.