Turbine Stator Vane Camber Arrangement for Pressure Loss Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas turbine engines face efficiency reduction and stress on fan and compressor blades due to air flow disruption caused by mounting pylons, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed through stator vane arrangement and assembly methods.
Innovation Solution
The method involves assembling stator vanes with varying camber angles in groups, using inspection features to ensure correct positioning and quantity, and incorporating spacing vanes to manage airflow and thermal expansion, thereby achieving uniform airflow and reducing aerodynamic losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If mounting pylons or struts are used to support the compressor and turbine portions, then the engine structure is supported within the engine casing, but air flow disruption occurs causing efficiency reduction and increased stress on fan and compressor blades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the camber angles of individual stator vanes at different circumferential positions. Specifically, stator vanes are configured with different camber angles (e.g., first, second, and third camber angles) to create localized flow control that compensates for the adverse effects of mounting struts in specific regions, thereby reducing circumferential pressure variation while maintaining overall structural support
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of stator vanes by varying camber angles across different circumferential positions. This parameter variation allows the air flow to be actively controlled and redistributed around the engine circumference, counteracting the disruption caused by mounting struts and improving overall engine efficiency
2Strength
If substantial mounting pylons or struts are used within the engine, then support for compressor and turbine portions is achieved, but circumferential pressure variation around the engine's air intake increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by positioning stator vanes with specific camber angles at specific circumferential locations relative to mounting struts. For example, stator vanes adjacent to struts have different camber angles than those farther away, creating localized pressure compensation that reduces overall circumferential pressure variation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-configuring stator vanes with varying camber angles before air flow enters the compressor stages. This pre-positioning of flow control elements creates counteracting pressure distributions that neutralize the adverse pressure variations caused by mounting struts before they can significantly impact engine performance
Data Source
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AI summary
A turbine engine stator stage (100) comprises a plurality of vanes (120) with each of the plurality of vanes having a camber angle. The plurality of vanes is arranged in a plurality of groups (170) with each group comprising a pre-determined sequence of vanes. The ordering of vanes within each group is determined by the camber of the individual vanes. This results in an arrangement of vanes within the stator stage (100) which can modify the flow characteristics of the air entering the stator stage to reduce the circumferential pressure variation in the flow region immediately downstream of the stator stage.