Variable Vane Adjustment Assembly with Nested Collars
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine engines face challenges in precisely adjusting variable vanes to maintain optimal airflow direction and stall/surge margin at different power settings, requiring precise positioning of vane assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A vane adjustment assembly featuring an annular ring coupled to variable vanes, a base frame with a cylindrical cavity, and a roller pin system with collars that allow for multiple rotational positions, enabling precise adjustment of the annular ring and vanes through a cam plate mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If variable vanes are used to provide stall or surge margin at different power settings, then the adaptability of the gas turbine engine is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirement increases due to the need for extreme precision in vane positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is divided into multiple collars (first collar, second collar) that can be independently positioned at discrete rotational locations. Each collar can be selectively placed at different angular positions, allowing incremental adjustment of the vane assembly in precise segments rather than requiring continuous high-precision manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a fixed vane positioning system to a dynamic adjustable system where collars can be selectively positioned at multiple discrete locations. This allows the vane assembly to adapt its positioning based on operational requirements while maintaining precision through the discrete, selectable nature of the adjustment locations.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple collars with discrete rotational positions are used to enable precise adjustment, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second collar is positioned within the first collar, and both are received within the base frame's cylindrical cavity. This nested arrangement allows multiple adjustment stages to be compactly integrated into a single structural envelope, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the precision benefits of multiple discrete positioning options.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller pin serves as an intermediary element that connects the collars to the adjustment mechanism. By using the roller pin to engage with the cam plate and transmit motion, the system achieves precise positional control without requiring complex direct drive mechanisms for each collar.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the first and second collars are selectively arranged at multiple rotational positions, then the adaptability of the vane assembly is improved, but the ease of operation decreases due to the multi-step adjustment process
Solution Approach 1:
The collars are designed with pre-defined discrete rotational positions that can be selectively achieved. The cam plate mechanism allows operators to quickly transition between these pre-configured positions without requiring complex calculation or continuous adjustment, making the multi-position adaptability more easily operable.
Data Source
AI summary
A vane adjustment assembly includes vanes, an annular ring coupled to the vanes, and a ring adjustment assembly. The adjustment assembly includes a base frame mounted on the ring and including a support body having a first cavity, a first collar removably arranged within the first cavity and having a second cavity formed therein, a second collar removably arranged within the second cavity, and a roller pin coupled to the second collar. The second cavity is offset relative to the first collar and the roller pin is offset relative to the second collar. The first and second collars can be selectively arranged at rotational positions within the first and second cavities such that the roller pin can be positioned at distinct roller pin positions each corresponding to a rotational position of the first collar and a rotational position of the second collar.