Turbine Vane Adjustment Synchronization via Opposing Coupling Rods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing guide vane adjustment devices for compressors and turbines suffer from uneven pivoting angles due to tangential forces, leading to suboptimal operation, and previous solutions have increased complexity, cost, and space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A passive coupling mechanism using a second transmission device opposite the first transmission device ensures forced synchronization of guide vane adjustment rings, allowing precise rotation and adjustment of guide vanes with a simple and cost-effective design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single actuating device is used to rotate the guide vane adjustment ring, then the structure is simple and cost-effective, but tangential forces cause uneven pivoting angles of guide vanes
Solution Approach 1:
The guide vane adjustment system is segmented into multiple independent adjustment rings (first guide vane adjustment ring and second guide vane adjustment ring), each capable of rotating independently. This segmentation allows each ring to be adjusted separately while maintaining overall synchronization through the coupling mechanism, resolving the conflict between simple actuation and uniform pivoting.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple guide vane adjustment rings are merged into a single synchronized system through the coupling mechanism comprising first and second coupling rods. This merging allows the rings to move independently during actuation but remain synchronized in their final positions, ensuring uniform pivoting angles across all guide vanes while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple guide vane adjustment rings are used to improve adjustment precision, then pivoting angle uniformity is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it couples the first and second guide vane adjustment rings, transmits rotational movement between them, and ensures synchronized positioning. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve precise uniform pivoting without proportionally increasing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism creates an equipotential relationship between the first and second guide vane adjustment rings, ensuring they operate at the same mechanical potential during rotation. This allows multiple rings to be used for precision adjustment while maintaining a simplified structure through symmetric coupling rod arrangements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the guide vane adjustment ring is rotated to adjust guide vanes, then the angle of attack is adapted to operating conditions, but tangential forces cause different pitch angles around the circumference
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism provides mechanical feedback between the first and second guide vane adjustment rings. When one ring rotates in response to actuating forces, the coupling rods transmit this movement to the other ring, creating a self-correcting system that maintains pitch angle uniformity while adapting to varying operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The symmetric arrangement of coupling rods acts as a mechanical counterbalance system. The first and second coupling rods are positioned to counteract tangential forces that would otherwise cause uneven pitch angles, allowing the guide vanes to adapt to operating conditions while maintaining uniform pitch angle distribution around the circumference.
Data Source
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AI summary
The guide vane adjusting device has multiple guide vanes (20) pivoting around a radial axis. The guide vanes are arranged in two radial planes. Two guide vane adjusting rings are coupled with the guide vanes and are rotatable in peripheral direction by an actuating device (30). The actuating device is coupled with the guide vane adjusting rings by a transmitting device (31). The transmitting device is arranged in another opposite transmitting device (32) which is coupled with the guide vane adjusting rings.