Variable Area Turbine Vane Cooling Flow Modulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas turbine engines with fixed flow area vanes are optimized for a single flight point, leading to inefficiencies and increased cooling fluid requirements due to changing pressure distributions when altering the flow area.

Innovation Solution

A variable area turbine arrangement that includes a variable vane assembly with adjustable airfoils and a secondary flow system, where the actuation of the variable vane assembly is coupled with the modulation of a cooling fluid flow to condition the vanes and nearby hardware.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If variable vanes are used to alter the flow area, then the adaptability to different flight conditions is improved, but the pressure distribution changes require increased cooling fluid consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different flight conditionsVSAvoidcooling fluid consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses sensors to detect pressure distribution changes and cooling fluid temperature, then feeds this information back to the control system. The control system adjusts the variable vane position and cooling fluid flow rate accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes cooling fluid consumption while maintaining adaptability to different flight conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The variable vanes are made dynamically adjustable, allowing the flow area to be changed in real-time based on flight conditions. The vanes can rotate about a given axis to vary the flow area, enabling the system to adapt to different operating conditions while the control system dynamically adjusts cooling fluid flow to match the changing pressure distributions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the flow area is altered by rotating variable vanes, then the productivity across varying conditions is improved, but the complexity of the variable vane assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproductivity across varying conditionsVSAvoidcomplexity of variable vane assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system merges the variable vane actuation mechanism with the cooling fluid flow control system. By coupling the actuation of the variable vane assembly with the modulation of cooling fluid flow through a unified control architecture, the system reduces overall complexity while maintaining high productivity across varying flight conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The variable vane assembly is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a flow area control mechanism and as a integration point for cooling fluid flow modulation. This universal design reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If fixed flow area vanes are used, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the efficiency at multiple flight points deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidefficiency at multiple flight points

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from fixed to dynamic flow area control by incorporating variable vanes that can rotate to adjust the flow area. This dynamic capability enables the turbine arrangement to maintain high efficiency across multiple flight points while the control system manages the complexity of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 reduces hardware requirements, weight, cost, and complexity by synchronizing the actuation of the variable vane assembly with the secondary flow system, effectively addressing the cooling needs and improving efficiency across varying flight conditions.

Implementation Method 1

modulating a flow of a cooling fluid through the secondary flow system to condition the variable vane assembly and/or nearby hardware

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3907374B1Variable area turbine arrangement with secondary flow modulation

Publication Date: 2025.05.28 RTX CORP

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AI summary

A variable area turbine arrangement (100) according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a variable vane assembly (165-1; 165-2; 165-3) and a secondary flow system (180-1; 180-2; 180-3) associated with the variable vane assembly (165-1; 165-2; 165-3). Flow modulation of a cooling fluid through the secondary flow system (180-1; 180-2; 180-3) is changed simultaneously with actuation of the variable vane assembly (165-1; 165-2; 165-3).