Variable Inlet Guide Vane Ice Removal via Periodic Oscillation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ice formation on gas turbine engine compressor inlet guide vanes reduces airflow and prevents vane movement, leading to detrimental effects on compressor operation and engine performance, necessitating a system to effectively remove and prevent ice reformation.
Innovation Solution
A compressor inlet guide vane control system that uses logic configurations to control the movement of inlet guide vanes, employing anti-ice logic to remove existing ice and prevent reformation by repeatedly moving vanes between positions, thereby shedding ice and maintaining airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If inlet guide vanes are kept stationary to maintain optimal airflow positioning, then compressor efficiency is improved, but ice accumulation occurs on the vanes reducing airflow and preventing movement
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic movement of the inlet guide vanes between a first position and a second position. This periodic action prevents ice accumulation by continuously disrupting ice formation while maintaining overall compressor efficiency through controlled positional changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions the inlet guide vanes from a static configuration to a dynamic one, where the vanes are continuously moved between positions based on operational conditions. This dynamic adjustment prevents ice buildup while optimizing airflow throughout varying operational states.
2Reliability
If inlet guide vanes are moved frequently to prevent ice formation, then ice removal effectiveness is improved, but compressor efficiency decreases due to disrupted airflow positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic movement cycles where the vanes oscillate between positions at predetermined intervals. This approach effectively removes ice while limiting the duration of non-optimal airflow positioning, thus maintaining overall compressor efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system adjusts operational parameters such as the frequency and amplitude of vane movement based on detected ice conditions and compressor performance. By dynamically changing these parameters, the system optimizes the balance between ice removal effectiveness and maintaining compressor efficiency.
3Reliability
If anti-ice measures are continuously applied to prevent ice formation, then reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous anti-ice operation, the system employs periodic movement of the inlet guide vanes. This intermittent approach maintains ice prevention reliability while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing airflow through the compressor to remove ice from the vanes by utilizing the kinetic energy already present in the flow. This self-service approach prevents ice accumulation without requiring additional energy input for heating or other active anti-ice measures.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method are provided for effectively removing ice that may have formed on gas turbine engine compressor (102) inlet guide vanes (116) and/or preventing, or at least inhibiting, reformation of ice on gas turbine engine compressor (102) inlet guide vanes (116) after the ice has been removed. A determination is made as to whether flow through the compressor is below a predetermined flow value. If the flow through the compressor is below the predetermined flow value, then the inlet guide vanes (116) are repeatedly moved between at least two predetermined positions to remove ice and/or prevent, or at least inhibit, reformation of ice on the inlet guide vanes (116).