Variable Stator Blade Device for Axial Compressor Thermal Elongation

Solution Overview

Problem

In axial compressors, a difference in thermal elongation between the casing and the rotating ring can cause misalignment of stator blades, requiring a structure that can absorb and manage this thermal expansion effectively without increasing complexity.

Innovation Solution

A variable stator blade operating device with a rotating ring connected to a stator blade arm, a drive mechanism, and elastic bodies between the rotating ring and the casing, allowing for elastic deformation to absorb thermal elongation differences and maintain alignment, while reducing mechanical backlash and facilitating assembly and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If elastic bodies are disposed between the rotating ring and the casing to absorb thermal elongation differences, then misalignment is suppressed, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs elastic bodies (flexible elements) disposed between the rotating ring and the casing to absorb thermal elongation differences. These elastic bodies deform elastically under thermal expansion/contraction, maintaining alignment between the rotating ring and casing without requiring complex compensation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the elastic properties of the elastic bodies to dynamically adapt to thermal parameter changes. The elastic bodies change their physical state (deformation) in response to temperature variations, automatically compensating for thermal elongation differences between the rotating ring and casing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If a simple and compact structure is adopted for the compressor, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to cope with thermal elongation differences is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidthermal elongation compensation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs elastic bodies (flexible elements) disposed between the rotating ring and the casing to absorb thermal elongation differences. These elastic bodies deform elastically under thermal expansion/contraction, maintaining alignment between the rotating ring and casing without requiring complex compensation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic bodies act as intermediary elements between the rotating ring and the casing. They mediate the thermal elongation differences by providing a flexible interface that can deform to accommodate dimensional changes, thereby protecting the alignment relationship between the rotating ring and casing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If the rotating ring is externally fitted to the casing with an interval, then thermal expansion is accommodated, but misalignment may occur without additional components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal expansion accommodationVSAvoidalignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs elastic bodies (flexible elements) disposed between the rotating ring and the casing to absorb thermal elongation differences. These elastic bodies deform elastically under thermal expansion/contraction, maintaining alignment between the rotating ring and casing without requiring complex compensation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic bodies act as intermediary elements between the rotating ring and the casing. They mediate the thermal elongation differences by providing a flexible interface that can deform to accommodate dimensional changes, thereby protecting the alignment relationship between the rotating ring and casing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The solution effectively suppresses misalignment and thermal elongation differences with a simple, compact structure, ensuring accurate operation and reducing the complexity of assembly, thereby enhancing the stability and performance of the gas turbine engine.

Implementation Method 1

a difference in thermal elongation between the casing and the rotating ring is absorbed by elastic deformation of the elastic bodies disposed between the rotating ring and the casing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10669882B2Variable stator blade operating device

Publication Date: 2020.06.02 KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KK

AI summary

A variable stator blade operating device is a variable stator blade operating device that manipulates the mounting angle of a stator blade of an axial compressor. The variable stator blade operating device includes: an arm which is connected to the stator blade; a rotating ring which is connected to one end of the arm and is externally fitted to a casing of the compressor with an interval between the rotating ring and an outer wall of the casing; a drive mechanism which turns the stator blade via the arm by rotating the rotating ring; and a plurality of elastic bodies arranged in the circumferential direction around the casing, between the rotating ring and the outer wall of the casing. Each of the plurality of elastic bodies is mounted to one of the rotating ring and the outer wall of the casing and contacts the other to energize the rotating ring radially outward.