Variable-Pitch Stator Vane Adjustment Mechanism for Turbine Flow Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing turbine engine systems lack the ability to individually adjust the pitch of fixed vanes to account for distortions in the air flow due to boundary layer ingestion or side winds, leading to inefficiencies and reduced reliability, as current adjustment mechanisms only allow uniform pitch variation.

Innovation Solution

A device with two control rings and multiple connecting rods allows for individual adjustment of the pitch of radial stator vanes, enabling adaptive deflection of the air flow based on azimuthal position, reducing system complexity and improving reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If individual adjustment of each vane is implemented, then the ability to adapt to flow distortions is improved, but the number of actuators increases reducing reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to adapt to flow distortionsVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into two independent control rings, each capable of adjusting the pitch of vanes individually. The first control ring handles uniform pitch adjustment while the second control ring handles azimuth-dependent pitch adjustment, allowing each vane to be independently controlled without requiring a separate actuator for each vane.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each vane is connected to both control rings through connecting rods, making the vanes multi-functional in response to different control inputs. The same vane can respond to both uniform pitch commands from the first control ring and azimuth-specific pitch commands from the second control ring, reducing the total number of actuators needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If uniform pitch variation is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to correct flow distortions is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol mechanism complexityVSAvoidability to correct flow distortions

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control system transitions from a single-dimensional uniform pitch control to a two-dimensional control space by introducing a second control ring. The first control ring provides uniform pitch adjustment while the second control ring adds azimuth-dependent pitch adjustment, enabling correction of flow distortions without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple control rings are introduced, then the individual adjustment capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividual vane adjustment capabilityVSAvoidcontrol ring and connecting rod system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The two control rings are merged into a single integrated control system where both rings operate simultaneously on the same set of vanes through connecting rods. This merging allows individual vane adjustment capability to be achieved while sharing common structural elements, thereby limiting the overall complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10598039B2Device for the individual adjustment of a plurality of variable-pitch radial stator vanes in a turbomachine

Publication Date: 2020.03.24 SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES SAS

AI summary

A device for adjusting the pitch of at least one annular row of stator vanes for a turbine engine module. The device includes a first control ring mounted to rotate freely about an axis of the turbine engine. The device also includes connecting rods for connecting the first control ring to the vanes and a second control ring mounted to rotate freely about the axis. Each vane of the at least one row is simultaneously connected to the first and second control rings by a set of at least two connecting rods. The device is suitable for use as part of a module and is suitable for use in a turbine engine.