Variable Guide Vane Device for Gas Turbine Engine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing variable guide vane devices in gas turbine engines face challenges in maintaining efficient airflow characteristics across varying operating conditions, particularly at low rotor speeds, where flow separation and turbulence can occur, leading to instability and potential component failures.
Innovation Solution
A variable guide vane device comprising a fixed first vane and a pivotable second vane, where the pivot axis is located within the body of the first vane, forming a radially extending slot for fluid flow, which helps to re-energize the boundary layer and prevent flow separation by allowing air to flow from the pressure surface of the first vane to the suction surface of the second vane, thereby maintaining a non-tortuous flow path and altering the airflow direction without causing turbulence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If variable guide vanes are used to deflect incoming air, then airflow optimization and engine stability are improved, but flow separation and turbulence can occur at low rotor speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The guide vane is divided into two separate sections: a fixed first section and a movable second section. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each section's function, with the fixed section providing structural stability and the movable section enabling airflow control without causing flow separation.
Solution Approach 2:
A slot is introduced between the fixed first section and movable second section, acting as an intermediary flow path. This slot allows controlled air flow that prevents turbulence and flow separation while maintaining the ability to adjust airflow direction for engine stability.
2Productivity
If the guide vane shape is changed to optimize airflow, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide vane is segmented into a fixed first section and a movable second section. The fixed section maintains simple structural geometry while the movable section provides aerodynamic adjustment capability, thus achieving improved aerodynamic performance without significantly increasing overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The second section of the guide vane is made movable relative to the first section, allowing dynamic adjustment of the guide vane's effective shape and angle. This enables optimization of airflow characteristics for different operating conditions while keeping the basic structure relatively simple through controlled motion rather than complex reconfiguration.
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 configuration allows for precise adjustment of airflow characteristics, reducing turbulence and flow separation, thereby enhancing the performance and stability of the gas turbine engine across different operating conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the second vane is pivotable relative to the first vane about a pivot axis, characterised in that the pivot axis is located within a body of the first vane
Implementation Method 2
re-energize the boundary layer and prevent flow separation by allowing air to flow from the pressure surface of the first vane to the suction surface of the second vane
Implementation Method 3
prevent flow separation by allowing air to flow from the pressure surface of the first vane to the suction surface of the second vane
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A variable guide vane device (24) for a gas turbine engine comprises first and second vanes (26,32) arranged in axial flow series. The first and second vanes (26,32) are spaced apart so as to define a radially extending slot for fluid flow therebetween. The first vane comprises a pressure surface and a suction surface which taper to meet at the trailing edge of the first vane pressure and suction surfaces to form a line at the trailing edge. The first vane (26) is a fixed vane that is not pivotable and the second vane (32) is pivotable relative to the first vane (26) about a pivot axis (38).