Variable Guide Vanes for Gas Turbine Compressor Strut Wake Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The presence of load-bearing struts in the gas path of gas turbine engines induces undesirable flow conditions and energy losses due to their interaction with air flow, which affects the efficiency and operable range of the compressor section.
Innovation Solution
The use of variable orientation guide vanes (VGVs) strategically positioned and spaced relative to struts in the compressor section, allowing for adjustable orientation to modify air flow, reduce energy losses, and improve aerodynamic loading by confining and interacting with strut wakes, thereby enhancing flow conditions and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If load bearing struts are disposed in the gas path upstream of downstream rotors, then structural support and load bearing capability are improved, but flow conditions deteriorate and energy losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
Variable orientation guide vanes are introduced as intermediary elements positioned between the struts and the downstream rotors. These guide vanes interact with the strut wakes and modify the flow patterns, acting as a mediator that allows the struts to maintain their structural function while reducing their harmful impact on downstream flow conditions and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide vanes possess variable orientation capability, allowing their angular position to be adjusted. This parameter change enables the system to optimize flow conditions across different operating regimes by changing the orientation angle of the guide vanes, thereby controlling the interaction between strut wakes and the downstream airflow to minimize energy losses.
2Strength
If struts are positioned in the gas path, then structural support is improved, but flow separation and non-parallel flow components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The variable orientation guide vanes serve as intermediary flow control elements that interact with the non-parallel flow components generated by the struts. By strategically positioning these vanes, the system can redirect and realign the flow, reducing flow separation and restoring parallel flow conditions downstream while the struts maintain their structural support function.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide vanes incorporate variable orientation mechanism that can dynamically adjust their angular position. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to different flow conditions and operating speeds, optimizing flow parallelism and reducing separation effects across varying operational regimes while maintaining structural support.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed orientation guide vanes are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different operating conditions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The guide vanes transition from fixed to variable orientation, incorporating a mechanism that allows dynamic adjustment of the vanes' angular position. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt to different operating conditions such as varying speeds and flow rates, optimizing performance across the operating range while maintaining reasonable manufacturing complexity through standardized variable orientation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes parameter changes in the orientation angle of the guide vanes to adapt to different operating conditions. By varying the angular position parameter of the guide vanes, the system can optimize flow control and energy efficiency across different operating regimes, providing versatility without requiring completely different hardware configurations.
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 improves flow conditions, reduces energy losses, and expands the operable range of the compressor section by modifying strut wakes and reducing non-parallel flow components, leading to increased efficiency and performance.
Implementation Method 1
variable orientation guide vanes (VGVs) strategically positioned and spaced relative to struts in the compressor section, allowing for adjustable orientation to modify air flow
Data Source
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AI summary
Assemblies and methods for directing a flow of air (56) through a compressor section (14) of a gas turbine engine (10) are disclosed. A method includes receiving the flow of air (56) over a strut (42A) extending radially across a substantially annular gas path (22) of the gas turbine engine (10), and at least partially confining and modifying a strut wake (68) generated in the flow of air (56) by the strut (42A) using one or more variable orientation guide vanes (24).