Variable Positioner for Gas Turbine Rotor Axial Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face challenges in maintaining rotor position due to size and weight constraints, which can lead to insufficient radial clearance for traditional shoulder/spacer arrangements, resulting in inadequate axial positioning of rotors.
Innovation Solution
A variable positioner with radially inward facing threading and anti-rotation slots is used to interface with the shaft, allowing axial adjustment and prevention of rotation, thereby maintaining rotor position and facilitating torque transfer through splines without relying on the anti-rotation features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional shoulder/spacer arrangement is used to maintain rotor position, then axial positioning is achieved, but the radial clearance becomes insufficient under size and weight constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transforms the static shoulder/spacer arrangement into a dynamic adjustable system. The variable positioner can be rotated to different angular positions, allowing the axial location of the rotor to be adjusted dynamically. This resolves the contradiction by providing reliable axial positioning without requiring fixed radial clearance, as the positioner adapts to available space through rotational adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the positional parameter of the rotor by rotating the variable positioner to different angular positions. This allows the axial location to be varied within the available radial clearance, resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliable axial positioning and working within limited radial space constraints.
2Volume of moving object
If the radial clearance is reduced to meet size constraints, then the engine size decreases, but the traditional shoulder/spacer arrangement becomes insufficient for maintaining rotor position
Solution Approach 1:
The variable positioner introduces dynamic adjustability that allows reliable rotor position maintenance even with reduced radial clearance. By rotating the positioner to different angular positions, the system adapts to the reduced clearance while maintaining positioning reliability, thus resolving the contradiction between engine size reduction and positioning reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention resolves the radial clearance limitation by utilizing the angular dimension. The variable positioner rotates about the shaft axis, transforming the problem from a radial clearance constraint into an angular positioning solution. This allows the rotor to be reliably positioned axially without requiring adequate radial clearance, thus resolving the contradiction between reduced engine size and maintained positioning reliability.
3Reliability
If anti-rotation features are used to prevent positioner rotation, then rotational prevention is achieved, but torque transfer capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The variable positioner features localized anti-rotation slots that engage with anti-rotation features on the shaft only when needed for positioning. During normal torque transfer, these slots remain disengaged, allowing full torque transfer through the spline interface. This local engagement approach resolves the contradiction by providing anti-rotation capability only when required, without continuously impeding torque transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-rotation slots act as intermediaries that selectively engage to prevent rotation during positioning operations. During torque transfer, the slots remain disengaged, allowing the spline to transfer torque efficiently. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction between preventing rotation and maintaining torque transfer capability by engaging only when necessary.
Data Source
AI summary
A variable positioner includes a body portion with a cylindrical component, and an axially aligned through hole in the body position. A threading protrudes radially inward from an inner surface of the axially aligned through hole. A first axial end of the variable positioner defines an interface surface for interfacing with a rotor arm.