Variable Turbine Vane Sealing for Gap Flow Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems in gas turbine engines are inadequate in mitigating fluid flow between movable airfoil members and adjacent walls, leading to inefficiencies and performance issues.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a brush seal with flexible bristles and wear surfaces, along with moveable members like pistons, to manage and minimize the gap between variable vanes and walls in gas turbine engines, utilizing ceramic fiber bristles and adaptive sealing mechanisms to discourage fluid flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a brush seal with flexible bristles is used to minimize the gap between variable vanes and walls, then fluid flow between airfoil members and walls is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid flow lossVSAvoidsealing mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a brush seal composed of flexible bristles that can deform to conform to the varying gap between the variable vane and the engine wall. This flexible structure effectively blocks fluid flow paths while adapting to dynamic geometric changes during engine operation, resolving the contradiction between reducing fluid loss and maintaining device simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The brush seal is designed as a dynamic sealing solution where the bristles can move and flex in response to changes in the gap size between the variable vane and wall. This dynamic adaptation allows the seal to maintain effectiveness across different operating conditions without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If wear surfaces are added to the brush seal system to manage gap variations, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing system reliabilityVSAvoidwear surface precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The wear surfaces are strategically positioned to provide a cushioning effect that accommodates manufacturing tolerances and operational variations. By designing the wear surfaces with appropriate geometry and material properties, the system can absorb minor dimensional deviations while maintaining reliable sealing performance, thus improving reliability without excessively stringent manufacturing precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the brush seal is designed to adapt to varying gap sizes based on vane positions, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegap adaptation capabilityVSAvoidadaptive mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The brush seal is designed as a self-adapting system where the flexible bristles automatically adjust their configuration in response to varying gap sizes caused by different vane positions. The seal requires no external control mechanisms or active adjustment systems, achieving adaptability through its inherent flexible structure and passive response to geometric changes, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 solution effectively reduces fluid flow between airfoil members and walls, enhancing the operational efficiency and adaptability of gas turbine engines by maintaining minimal interaction and varying gap sizes based on vane positions, thereby improving power generation and engine performance.

Implementation Method 1

brush seal with flexible bristles... utilizing ceramic fiber bristles... to discourage fluid flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

brush seal with flexible bristles... to manage and minimize the gap between variable vanes and walls

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier:

Data Source

PatentUS11326464B2Gas turbine engine vane end devices

Publication Date: 2022.05.10 ROLLS ROYCE NORTH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

A turbomachinery component of a gas turbine engine is disclosed having a number of techniques of reducing the effects of a gap flow between an airfoil member of the gas turbine engine and a wall of the gas turbine engine. The airfoil member can be variable and in one form is a variable turbine vane. In one embodiment a brush seal is included between the vane and the wall. In another form a wear surface is disposed between the vane and the wall. In yet another form a moveable member capable of being actuated to change position can be disposed between the vane and the wall to alter the size of a gap between the two.