Segmented Movable Stator for Turbomachine Fault Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft propulsion systems with embedded electric machines face challenges in managing fault conditions, such as shorts in stator coils, which can lead to excessive heat and damage due to continued rotor rotation.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a segmented and movable stator electric machine within the turbomachine, where stator segments can be actuated between engaged and disengaged positions to control the air gap with the rotor, thereby preventing damage during fault conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the electric machine is integrated into the gas turbine engine, then electrical power generation capability is improved, but the risk of damage from fault conditions worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The stator is divided into multiple independently movable stator segments that can be selectively positioned. Each segment can be independently controlled to engage or disengage from the rotor, allowing the system to maintain functionality while isolating fault conditions to specific segments rather than affecting the entire electric machine.
Solution Approach 2:
The stator segments are made movable between engaged and disengaged positions relative to the rotor assembly. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt its structure in response to fault conditions, transitioning from a static integrated design to a dynamically adjustable architecture that can prevent damage propagation.
2Reliability
If the stator segments are made movable to prevent damage, then reliability under fault conditions is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically detects fault conditions and actuates the stator segments to appropriate positions without requiring manual intervention. The system monitors its own operational state and self-adjusts the stator configuration in response to detected anomalies, reducing the need for complex external control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system integrates multiple functions including fault detection, decision-making, and actuation control into a single unified system. By combining these functions, the patent reduces the overall system complexity that would otherwise require separate independent systems for each function.
3Reliability
If stator segments are moved to increase air gap during faults, then damage prevention is improved, but power generation capability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The air gap between stator segments and rotor is dynamically adjusted based on operational conditions. During normal operation, stator segments are positioned to maximize power generation efficiency. During fault conditions, the same segments are moved to increase the air gap and prevent damage, allowing the system to optimize for different objectives at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the stator, the system can selectively position only the affected segments away from the rotor during fault conditions while maintaining optimal positioning of healthy segments. This selective approach preserves power generation capability from functional segments while protecting damaged areas.
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 effectively mitigates damage from fault conditions by increasing the air gap between the stator and rotor, allowing the turbomachine to continue operating safely without shutting down the gas turbine engine.
Implementation Method 1
continued rotation of the rotor continues to generate a magnetic flux/ electric flow through such fault
Data Source
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AI summary
A turbomachine equipped with an embedded electric machine having a segmented and movable stator is provided. In one aspect, a turbomachine defines a radial direction and includes a rotating component, actuators, and an electric machine. The electric machine includes a rotor assembly rotatable with and operatively coupled with the rotating component. The electric machine also includes a stator assembly having a stator split into stator segments. Each one of the stator segments is movable by one of the actuators between a first position and a second position along the radial direction, the stator segments each being closer to the rotor assembly along the radial direction when in the first position than when in the second position.