Piezoelectric Actuators for Fast Turbine Blade Tip Clearance Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional Active Clearance Control (ACC) systems in gas turbine engines are limited by slow response times and unidirectional clearance modulation, failing to effectively manage blade tip clearance fluctuations due to thermal and mechanical loads, leading to potential component degradation and performance issues.

Innovation Solution

Employing piezoelectric actuators with multilayer stacks to provide fast response clearance control, allowing bi-directional modulation of blade tip clearance through axial, axial/radial, and circumferential displacements, utilizing an engine controller to manage clearance adjustments based on operating conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If conventional Active Clearance Control systems are used, then the system structure is simple, but the response time is slow and clearance modulation is unidirectional

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse timeVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical clearance control mechanisms with piezoelectric actuators that convert electrical signals directly into mechanical displacement. This substitution enables fast response clearance control by eliminating mechanical delays inherent in traditional systems, while the piezoelectric material's direct conversion capability provides bidirectional modulation without requiring complex mechanical linkages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and response characteristics of the clearance control system by introducing piezoelectric materials that respond instantaneously to electrical field changes. This parameter change from slow mechanical actuation to fast electrical-field-driven actuation resolves the contradiction between response speed and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional ACC systems are used, then the device complexity is low, but the clearance control is unidirectional and cannot effectively manage thermal and mechanical load fluctuations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclearance modulation capabilityVSAvoidactuator configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements multi-functionality by configuring piezoelectric actuators to provide axial, radial, and circumferential displacement capabilities within a single integrated system. This universal actuator design enables bidirectional clearance modulation and effective management of both thermal and mechanical load fluctuations, replacing multiple specialized components with a versatile piezoelectric-based solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If fast response clearance control is implemented using piezoelectric actuators, then the response time and clearance control precision are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclearance control precisionVSAvoidactuator structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical precision control systems with piezoelectric actuators that inherently provide high precision through direct electrical-to-mechanical conversion. This substitution eliminates mechanical play, backlash, and wear issues, achieving superior clearance control precision while the modular piezoelectric actuator design keeps the overall system complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables precise and rapid adjustment of blade tip clearance, enhancing engine performance by reducing mechanical delays, improving specific fuel consumption (SFC), and providing better exhaust gas temperature (EGT) control without additional margin for transient conditions.

Implementation Method 1

Fast response active clearance systems with piezoelectric actuator in axial, axial/radial combined, and circumferential directions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12398653B2Fast response active clearance systems with piezoelectric actuator in axial, axial/radial combined, and circumferential directions

Publication Date: 2025.08.26 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

Certain examples disclose and describe apparatus and methods to provide fast response active clearance system with piezoelectric actuator in axial, axial/radial combined, and circumferential directions. In some examples, an apparatus includes an actuator to control clearance between a blade and at least one of a shroud or a hanger, the actuator including a multilayer stack of material, and wherein the actuator is outside a case. The apparatus further includes a rod coupled to the actuator and the at least one of the shroud or the hanger through an opening in the case, the rod to move the at least one of the shroud or the hanger in a radial direction based on axial movement of the multilayer stack of material.