Slipring Bushing Assembly for Turbine Vane Ice Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face challenges in efficiently removing ice accretion from inlet guide vanes while maintaining engine efficiency, as direct use of bleed air requires heavy infrastructure and electrical heating is complicated by the need to support variable inlet guide vanes under significant gas loads and in tight spaces.
Innovation Solution
A bushing assembly for pivotable inlet guide vanes that allows rotational freedom and provides electrical current to a heater element for ice protection, featuring a bore for the trunnion, electrical contacts, and conductors for connecting to a power source, with a housing for rotating relative to the bushing to ensure reliable electrical connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If electrical heating is used for de-icing inlet guide vanes, then ice protection is provided, but delivering electrical current is difficult due to gas loads and tight space constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds the electrical contact system within the bushing assembly structure. The bushing contains a bore for the trunnion while also incorporating electrical contacts and conductors inside its structure, nesting the electrical current delivery system within the mechanical support component to save space and simplify installation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sliding electrical contact mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the stationary electrical supply and the rotating heater element. The contact maintains electrical connection through relative motion, enabling current delivery while accommodating the rotational movement of the inlet guide vane
2Strength
If inlet guide vanes are firmly supported to react gas loads, then structural stability is improved, but rotational freedom is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the bushing assembly into distinct functional components: a stationary bushing body that provides structural support and reacts gas loads, and a rotating housing that accommodates the inlet guide vane's rotational movement. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function independently
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic interface between the stationary bushing and the rotating housing, allowing the housing to rotate freely within the bushing while the bushing itself remains fixed to react gas loads. This dynamic design enables both structural stability and rotational freedom simultaneously
3Object-affected harmful factors
If bleed air is used for ice removal, then ice protection is achieved, but engine efficiency is reduced and heavy infrastructure is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/thermal bleed air system with an electrical heating system. Instead of using high-temperature bleed air requiring heavy pipes and valving, the invention uses electrical current delivered through the bushing assembly to heat the inlet guide vane surface, achieving ice protection with lighter infrastructure and reduced energy loss
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 unimpeded operation of inlet guide vanes by transferring gas loads and providing effective ice protection without the inefficiencies of direct bleed air use, while accommodating the unique demands of variable inlet guide vanes.
Implementation Method 1
a heater element disposed on the airfoil and electrically connected to the second conductor via the bushing assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A bushing assembly for a turbine vane includes a bushing and a housing. The bushing includes a bore for receiving a trunnion of the vane, a first electrical contact carried on an outer surface thereof, and a first conductor extending from the first electrical contact. The first electrical contact is adapted to be connected to a heater element disposed on the vane. The housing is positioned over the bushing and rotatable relative to the bushing. The housing includes a second electrical contact disposed in contact with the first electrical contact and a second conductor extending from the second electrical contact for connection to an electrical power source.