Single Actuator Control for Turbine Variable Geometry Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Turbine engines with multiple bodies require separate control systems for variable geometry equipment items, leading to increased weight, cost, and complexity, with risks of engine failure due to uncontrolled conditions like water or hail ingress during idling.
Innovation Solution
A single actuator system controls multiple variable geometry equipment items across different turbine engine bodies, synchronizing their operation through a shared actuation parameter, such as speed of rotation, to reduce the number of parts and enhance control efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate control systems are provided for variable geometry equipment items of different turbine engine bodies, then each equipment item can be controlled independently, but the weight, cost, and complexity of the control system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control functions into a single integrated control system that manages variable geometry equipment across different turbine engine bodies. Instead of providing separate actuators and control circuits for each equipment item (such as VSVs in the high-pressure body and VBVs in the low-pressure body), the invention uses one shared actuator with control means that can selectively actuate different equipment items based on operating conditions, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining independent control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system employs a universal actuator that can perform multiple functions by controlling different variable geometry equipment items at different times or under different conditions. The single actuator serves as a multi-functional device that can actuate high-pressure stator vanes during normal operation and low-pressure discharge valves during idling conditions, eliminating the need for dedicated actuators for each function.
2Weight of moving object
If a single actuator controls multiple variable geometry equipment items, then the weight, volume, and cost of the control system are reduced, but the complexity of coordinating control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single actuator is designed as a universal control device that can actuate different variable geometry equipment items (high-pressure stator vanes and low-pressure discharge valves) depending on the operating regime. This multi-functional approach significantly reduces the weight and volume of the control system compared to using separate actuators for each equipment item, while the control means manages the coordination complexity through conditional logic based on engine speed and operating conditions.
3Weight of moving object
If VBVs are eliminated to reduce weight, then the weight saving is significant, but the risk of engine failure increases during idling when water or hail may penetrate
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adapts its behavior based on engine operating conditions. During normal operation above idling speed, the system controls high-pressure stator vanes to maintain proper airflow. During idling conditions, the system automatically switches to controlling low-pressure discharge valves to prevent water or hail ingress. This dynamic switching capability allows the elimination of permanent VBV hardware while maintaining protective functionality when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the single actuator based on engine speed and operating conditions. At different speed ranges, the actuator controls different equipment items with different actuation parameters. This parameter-based control strategy enables the system to provide engine protection during idling without requiring dedicated protective hardware, thereby reducing overall equipment weight while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling at least two sets of variable geometry equipment of a turbine engine. The turbine engine includes at least one first body and a second body, the first set of equipment being a stage of variable stator vanes of a compressor of the first body moving between a closed position during idling and an open position at high speed, and the second set of equipment being at least one bleed valve of a compressor of the second body moving between an open position during idling and a closed position at high speed. The actuator drives the second set of equipment by an actuating part that is actuated over part of the course of the actuator and idle on an abutment over the rest of the course, and by a sliding joining element providing a backlash in the actuation of the second set of equipment.