Open Rotor Blade Pitch Offset to Reduce 1P Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft propulsion systems with open rotor configurations face challenges in efficiently managing blade and vane pitch adjustments to mitigate 1P loading and enhance thrust efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method and system for open rotor propulsion systems that apply asymmetric blade and vane pitch schedules, where the pitch of rotor blades and stator vanes is adjusted using actuators to offset the reference line from the pitch axis by an angle between zero and forty-five degrees, reducing 1P loading and optimizing thrust.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If symmetric blade pitch schedule is applied to the propulsor rotor, then the structure is simple and easy to control, but 1P loading cannot be effectively mitigated and thrust efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetric blade pitch scheduling where the pitch of rotor blades varies asymmetrically during rotation. The pitch schedule is defined such that blades at different circumferential positions have different pitch angles, with maximum pitch at one circumferential position and minimum pitch at another position offset by a specific angle from the pitch axis. This asymmetry in pitch distribution mitigates 1P loading while optimizing thrust efficiency, resolving the contradiction between control simplicity and thrust efficiency.
2Productivity
If blade pitch is adjusted to mitigate 1P loading, then thrust efficiency improves, but the pitch adjustment system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic pitch adjustment where the blade pitch follows a predetermined schedule that repeats each rotation cycle. The pitch varies periodically with the angular position of the blades, following a defined pattern that includes maximum pitch at a first circumferential position and minimum pitch at a second circumferential position. This periodic action achieves 1P loading mitigation and thrust optimization through systematic pitch variation without requiring overly complex real-time control systems.
3Device complexity
If the reference line is aligned with the pitch axis (zero offset angle), then the pitch control is simplified, but 1P loading mitigation effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the offset angle parameter between the reference line and pitch axis to balance control complexity and 1P loading mitigation effectiveness. By carefully selecting the offset angle within a specific range, the system achieves effective 1P loading reduction while maintaining manageable pitch control complexity. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between simplifying pitch control and improving 1P loading mitigation effectiveness.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for operating an aircraft propulsion system comprises rotation of a propulsor rotor (68) of the propulsion system about a rotational axis (52). The propulsor rotor (68) includes a plurality of rotor blades (118). A first blade pitch schedule is applied to the propulsor rotor (68) while the propulsor rotor (68) is rotating about the rotational axis (52) such that: (a) a pitch of each of the rotor blades (118) has a maximum blade pitch value when located at a first circumferential position (140A) about the rotational axis (52); (b) the pitch of each of the rotor blades (118) has a minimum blade pitch value when located at a second circumferential position (140B) about the rotational axis (52); and (c) a reference line (142) extending between the first circumferential position (140A) and the second circumferential position (140B) is angularly offset from a pitch axis (28) of the aircraft by a first offset angle (144) between zero degrees and forty-five degrees.