Vane Lever Arm Anti-Rotation Design for Turbine Surge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vane lever arms in turbine engines, particularly those made of sheet metal, fail under surge forces such as those caused by foreign objects, necessitating an improved design for enhanced durability and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A vane lever arm design featuring a base with first and second tabs, where the shaft extends through an aperture and engages anti-rotation elements, allowing for rotation of the stator vane while providing structural integrity to withstand surge forces by engaging additional anti-rotation elements during extreme conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If sheet metal vane lever arms are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates under surge forces
Solution Approach 1:
The vane lever arm is divided into multiple tabs (first tab, second tab, third tab) that can independently deform and engage with anti-rotation elements. This segmentation allows the structure to distribute surge forces across multiple engagement points rather than failing as a single sheet metal component would.
Solution Approach 2:
The tabs are designed to be movable relative to the base, allowing them to deform dynamically under surge forces and then engage with anti-rotation elements to prevent excessive rotation. This dynamic behavior transforms the lever arm from a static sheet metal piece into an adaptive structure that responds to loading conditions.
2Reliability
If the vane lever arm structure is strengthened to withstand surge forces, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-rotation elements are integrated directly into the tab structures rather than being separate components. The first, second, and third anti-rotation elements are formed as part of the tab assembly, combining the anti-rotation function with the existing lever arm structure and avoiding additional complex components.
Solution Approach 2:
The tabs automatically engage with the anti-rotation elements through their own deformation and positioning under surge forces. The structure self-regulates by having the tabs move and engage with the anti-rotation elements without requiring external control mechanisms or complex actuation systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A variable area vane arrangement includes a stator vane including a shaft having an axis. The vane arrangement also includes a vane lever arm that rotates the stator vane about the axis. The vane lever arm includes a base, a first tab and a second tab. The base is arranged laterally between the first tab and the second tab. The first tab laterally overlaps the base. The second tab includes an aperture and laterally overlaps the base and the first tab. The shaft extends through the aperture and is connected to the base.