Variable Vane Assembly Wear Reduction via Rotational Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current synchronizing ring and lever arm assemblies in gas turbines experience excessive wear due to inadequate support and sliding engagement, leading to inefficient operation and reduced compressor performance.
Innovation Solution
A variable vane assembly with a synchronizing ring and attachment studs, where lever arms are rotatably coupled through rotational attachment devices, eliminating relative radial and circumferential sliding motion, thereby providing enhanced support and reducing wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sliding engagement is used between lever arms and synchronizing ring, then the assembly allows rotational movement, but excessive wear occurs on the sliding interface components
Solution Approach 1:
A bearing is introduced as an intermediary component between the lever arm and synchronizing ring. The bearing's inner raceway rotates with the lever arm while the outer raceway remains fixed to the synchronizing ring, enabling rotational movement through rolling contact instead of sliding contact. This intermediary bearing structure eliminates direct sliding wear between the lever arm and synchronizing ring surfaces.
2Ease of operation
If sliding engagement is used between lever arms and synchronizing ring, then rotational operation is enabled, but inadequate support is provided for the synchronizing ring weight
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing serves as an intermediary that provides structural support for the synchronizing ring. The outer raceway of the bearing, which is fixed to the synchronizing ring, distributes the ring's weight across multiple contact points with the lever arms. This intermediary bearing structure ensures adequate support capacity while allowing rotational movement.
3Strength
If lever arms are rigidly attached to synchronizing ring, then support is maximized, but rotational movement is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment between the lever arm and synchronizing ring is made dynamic through the bearing. The bearing allows the lever arm to rotate relative to the synchronizing ring while maintaining continuous contact and support. This dynamic connection provides both rotational movement capability and structural support, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and mobility.
Data Source
AI summary
A variable vane assembly for a compressor having a plurality of vanes is disclosed. The variable vane assembly may generally include a synchronizing ring and a plurality of attachment studs secured to the synchronizing ring. The variable vane assembly may also include a plurality of lever arms, with each lever arm having a first end and a second end. The first end of each lever arm may be attached to one of the vanes. Additionally, a plurality of rotational attachment devices may be configured to rotatably couple the second end of each lever arm to one of the attachment studs so as to define a rotational interface therebetween. Further, each of the attachments studs may be rigidly attached to one of the rotational attachment devices at the rotational interface such that there is substantially no relative radial and circumferential sliding motion between the synchronizing ring and the plurality of lever arms during rotation of the synchronizing ring.