Variable Stator Vane Alignment Projection for Gas Turbine Compressor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas turbine engine stator vane assemblies lack a visible indicator for correct alignment between the stator vane and lever arm, leading to potential misalignment and aerodynamic excitation issues during engine operation, which can result in disc post cracking and failure.
Innovation Solution
A variable stator vane assembly with an upper stem featuring an alignment projection that passes through an aperture in the lever arm, providing a visible indication of correct axial orientation, ensuring proper mounting and preventing misalignment, while maintaining a standard mounting process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no alignment indicator is provided on the lever arm, then the mounting process remains simple and cost-effective, but correct alignment between the stator vane and lever arm cannot be verified, leading to potential misalignment and aerodynamic excitation issues
Solution Approach 1:
The lever arm assembly itself provides the alignment indication through its own structural features (aperture and engagement face geometry) without requiring separate external indicators or complex alignment tools. The system uses its inherent components to verify correct installation orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment verification is achieved by adding a dimensional feature (the aperture positioned at a specific location relative to the engagement face) that provides a new degree of alignment checking beyond the basic mechanical connection, allowing visual confirmation of correct orientation.
2Loss of information
If an alignment indicator is added to the lever arm, then correct orientation can be visually confirmed, but the device complexity and machining requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment information is provided by the lever arm's own structural features (aperture and engagement face) rather than requiring separate external indicators, markings, or complex alignment tools to be added during manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment verification is achieved by incorporating a positional dimension (the aperture located at a specific offset from the engagement face) that provides visual confirmation of correct orientation without adding complex manufacturing steps.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the bolt is removed for instrumentation fitting, then testing capabilities are improved, but the relative alignment between stator vane and lever arm may be lost, causing disc post cracking and failure
Solution Approach 1:
The lever arm assembly provides its own alignment verification capability through the aperture-feature relationship, allowing operators to confirm correct reassembly after bolt removal without requiring specialized alignment tools or procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The visible alignment indication provided by the aperture and engagement face geometry gives immediate feedback to operators during assembly and reassembly operations, confirming whether components are correctly oriented before securing with the bolt.
Data Source
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AI summary
A variable stator vane assembly for a gas turbine engine has a projection protruding from the upper stem of the vane and which engages an aperture in the vane lever to provide a visual indication of correct alignment between the lever and the vane.