Motorized Rotating Inlet Guide Vane for Turbofan Airflow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas turbine engines lack efficient control over airflow direction and preconditioning into the fan section, which limits compressor efficiency and thrust generation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a rotatable fan inlet guide vane system with electrical machine components, including stator windings and permanent magnets, allowing for independent rotation and power generation, enabling precise airflow direction and preconditioning through a controller-driven system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional fixed inlet guide vanes are used, then the structure is simple, but airflow direction control and compressor efficiency are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet guide vanes are made rotatable about the engine axis independently of fan blade rotation, allowing dynamic adjustment of vane angle to optimize airflow direction and compressor efficiency under different operating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical machine components serve dual functions: controlling the rotation of inlet guide vanes for airflow optimization and generating electrical power during windmilling operations, reducing the need for separate systems
2Ease of operation
If electrical machine components are added to control inlet guide vanes, then airflow control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Traditional mechanical linkage systems for controlling inlet guide vane position are replaced with electrical machine components (motors or actuators) that can precisely control vane rotation angles through electrical signals, enabling more accurate and responsive airflow direction control
Solution Approach 2:
The control system for inlet guide vanes is integrated with the fan control system through a common controller that receives engine operating parameters and coordinates the rotation of both fan blades and inlet guide vanes to optimize performance across different flight conditions
3Productivity
If inlet guide vanes are made rotatable independent of fan, then airflow optimization is improved, but mechanical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Electrical machine components act as intermediaries between the control system and the inlet guide vanes, providing a compact and controllable mechanism for independent rotation without requiring complex mechanical linkages to the fan shaft
Solution Approach 2:
The inlet guide vane system is segmented into individually controllable vanes that can rotate independently about the engine axis, allowing precise control of airflow distribution across different sections of the fan inlet
4Loss of energy
If electrical machine components generate power during windmilling, then energy recovery is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical machine components are configured to generate electrical power during windmilling operations when the inlet guide vanes rotate with the airflow, converting kinetic energy that would otherwise be lost into useful electrical energy to power engine systems or recharge batteries
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
Enhances fan section efficiency by optimizing airflow, increases thrust generation, and allows for electrical power generation during windmilling, improving overall engine performance and operational flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
the first and second electrical machine components are configured to generate electrical power when the plurality of inlet guide vanes windmill
Implementation Method 2
the first and second electrical machine components are configured to control rotation of the plurality of fan inlet guide vanes
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A gas turbine engine includes a turbine section (28) that is configured to drive a fan (22) through a fan shaft (47). The fan (22) includes a plurality of fan blades (42) rotatable about an axis of rotation of the gas turbine engine. A fan nacelle (18) includes a first electrical machine component (68). The fan (22) is located within the fan nacelle (18). A plurality of fan inlet guide vanes (66) includes a second electrical machine component (69). The plurality of fan inlet guide vanes (66) are rotatable about the axis.