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 existing technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a compressor section assembly with an outer and inner shroud defining a substantially annular gas path, featuring radially extending struts and uniformly angularly spaced variable orientation guide vanes that overlap the strut passages, allowing for the partial confinement and modification of strut wakes to improve flow conditions and reduce energy losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If struts are disposed in the gas path to provide structural support, then structural strength is improved, but flow conditions deteriorate and energy losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
Guide vanes are introduced as intermediary elements between the struts and the rotor. These vanes modify the flow patterns generated by the struts, confining and redirecting the flow to reduce energy losses while maintaining the structural support function of the struts
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the flow parameters (velocity distribution, flow direction) by positioning guide vanes at specific angular spacings relative to the struts. This modifies the flow conditions downstream of the struts to reduce turbulence and energy losses
2Strength
If struts are disposed in the gas path to provide structural support, then structural strength is improved, but flow conditions deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Guide vanes serve as intermediary elements that mediate between the harmful flow disturbances created by struts and the downstream flow. The vanes reconfigure the flow patterns to reduce harmful effects such as turbulence and flow separation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful flow disturbances generated by struts into beneficial patterns by using guide vanes to organize and redirect the flow. The wake regions behind struts are transformed into controlled flow paths that reduce overall energy losses
3Loss of energy
If variable orientation guide vanes are added to modify strut wakes, then energy losses are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide vanes are designed with variable orientation capability, allowing them to be rotated to different angular positions. This dynamic adjustment enables optimization of flow modification under varying operating conditions, reducing energy losses across different ranges
Solution Approach 2:
The compressor section is segmented into distinct functional elements: struts for structural support, guide vanes for flow modification, and rotors for compression. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to reduce overall energy losses
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 enhances the performance of gas turbine engines by improving flow conditions, expanding the operable range of the compressor, and reducing energy losses and aerodynamic loading on rotors.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of variable orientation guide vanes extending radially in the gas path, the variable orientation guide vanes uniformly angularly spaced-apart around the central axis, one or more of the variable orientation guide vanes having a leading edge axially overlapping the strut passage
Data Source
AI summary
Assemblies and methods for directing a flow of air through a compressor section of a gas turbine engine are disclosed. A method includes receiving the flow of air over a strut extending radially across a substantially annular gas path of the gas turbine engine, and at least partially confining and modifying a strut wake generated in the flow of air by the strut using one or more variable orientation guide vanes.