Gas Turbine Synchronization Ring Roller Brackets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines with variable vanes experience elastic deflection of synchronization rings due to reaction forces, leading to inconsistent vane angle variations, which affects engine performance.
Innovation Solution
The synchronization ring design incorporates roller brackets with pivot openings, elongated clevis openings, and rollers made of woven fiber composite, supported by pins, allowing for adjustable force distribution and reduced deformation, ensuring precise vane angle control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a traditional synchronization ring is used, then the structure is simple, but elastic deflection occurs under reaction forces causing vane angle variation
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization ring is divided into multiple segments that can move relative to each other along the circumferential direction. This segmentation allows the ring to flex and accommodate reaction forces without undergoing elastic deflection, thereby maintaining vane angle consistency while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization ring transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure. The segments are designed to move relative to one another in response to applied forces, enabling the ring to adapt to operational loads without deforming the vane angles, thus improving strength characteristics without excessive complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If the synchronization ring is made more rigid to prevent deflection, then vane angle consistency improves, but the ring cannot accommodate reaction forces
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the ring into multiple movable sections, the structure can maintain precise vane angle positioning for each segment while allowing relative movement between segments to accommodate reaction forces. This ensures manufacturing precision is maintained locally even as the overall structure flexes to handle forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring's physical parameters are changed by allowing variable spacing between segments. This enables the structure to maintain consistent vane angles (precision) while the inter-segment gaps allow the ring to expand or contract in response to reaction forces, simultaneously achieving both goals.
3Force
If the synchronization ring is allowed to flex to accommodate forces, then force accommodation improves, but vane angle variation increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each segment is designed to maintain its own structural integrity and vane angle precision independently, while the joints between segments allow relative movement. This segmentation isolates the flexibility to inter-segment motion, preventing vane angle variation within each segment even as the overall ring flexes to accommodate forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The inter-segment joints act as intermediaries that absorb and accommodate reaction forces through relative movement, while the segments themselves maintain precise vane angle positioning. The joints serve as the flexible element that protects the precision elements (vanes) from force-induced variations.
4Ease of manufacture
If a single-piece synchronization ring is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but elastic deflection cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The ring is manufactured as multiple separate segments that are then assembled together. While this involves an additional assembly step, each segment can be manufactured using standard processes, and the segmented design inherently prevents elastic deflection by allowing controlled movement at the joints, thus maintaining strength without requiring complex single-piece manufacturing.
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
This design enhances the synchronization ring's ability to maintain concentricity and optimize vane angle adjustments, improving engine performance and efficiency by minimizing elastic deflection and maintaining consistent vane positioning.
Implementation Method 1
a first plurality of rollers (100) mounted on a circumferential surface of the first annular member (76) and configured to contact an outer surface of the high pressure compressor case (70)
Implementation Method 2
During operation of the engine, the sync-ring experiences reaction forces that can elastically deflect the sync-ring out of concentric
Implementation Method 3
The plurality of rollers are made of a woven fiber composite
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
A synchronization ring for a gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a synchronization ring for a variable vane assembly. A plurality of rollers are attached to the synchronization ring for engaging a case on the gas turbine engine.