Actively Morphable Stator Vane Radial Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional turbomachine vanes with fixed incidence angles are inefficient across a range of operating conditions, particularly at part-load operations, as they do not optimize flow conditions over the full radial dimension, leading to non-optimal flow conditions at the vane tip or hub.
Innovation Solution
The development of actively morphable stator vanes with a continuous pressure and suction surface, enabled by an actuator that selectively morphs the vane between two configurations, optimizing airflow efficiency for different operating conditions by altering the shape of the vane's surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If variable stator vanes are actuated to the closed position to reduce airflow during part-load operation, then compressor efficiency is improved, but flow conditions become non-optimal at the vane tip or hub
Solution Approach 1:
The vane is segmented into multiple independent control sections along its radial span, with each section having its own actuator. This allows different radial sections (hub, mid-span, tip) to be controlled independently, enabling optimization of flow conditions at each location simultaneously while maintaining overall compressor efficiency during part-load operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different radial sections of the vane are given different local control characteristics. The hub section, mid-span section, and tip section can be actuated to different positions tailored to their specific flow requirements, allowing each local region to operate at its optimal incidence angle for the given load condition.
2Device complexity
If a solid vane with fixed incidence angle is used, then the vane structure is simple, but it cannot function optimally under a range of operating load conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The vane transitions from a fixed static structure to a dynamically adjustable structure. Multiple actuators enable the vane sections to change their incidence angles dynamically in response to varying operating conditions, allowing the same vane to optimize performance across baseload, part-load, and other operating regimes.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-section controllable vane serves multiple functions: it can optimize for baseload operation, part-load operation, startup, and shutdown conditions. A single vane structure with independent section control replaces the need for different fixed vanes designed for specific operating ranges.
3Productivity
If variable stator vanes are used to control airflow, then compressor efficiency is enhanced, but the flow condition over the full radial dimension is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The vane is divided into multiple radially spaced sections (hub section, mid-span section, tip section), each with independent actuation capability. This segmentation allows precise control of the flow angle at each radial location, ensuring uniform optimization of flow conditions across the entire radial dimension while maintaining high compressor efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
An actively morphable vane includes a leading edge, a trailing edge downstream of the leading edge, a tip end, a hub end spaced radially outward from the tip end, a pressure side comprising a pressure surface, and a suction side comprising a suction surface. The pressure surface extends continuously between the tip end, the hub end, the leading edge, and the trailing edge. The suction side is positioned opposite of the pressure side and the suction surface extends continuously between the tip end, the hub end, the leading edge, and the trailing edge. The actively morphable stator vane also includes an actuator in mechanical communication with the tip end. The actuator is operable to selectively morph the actively morphable stator vane between a first configuration and a second configuration. The first configuration is optimized for a first operating condition, and the second configuration is optimized for a second operating condition.