Variable Vane Annular Sleeve Bearing for Gas Turbine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Turbine engine stator vanes that rotate experience high torsional, compressive, and bending stresses, leading to reduced reliability and durability, and often require more expensive or robust spindles to manage these stresses effectively.
Innovation Solution
A turbomachine design featuring a vane with a rotation support and spindle aligned rotationally, where an annular sleeve contacts the rotation support and turbine casing, with rolling elements engaging the sleeve at both ends, and a cantilever translating rotational force to the spindle to control vane orientation, reducing stress on the spindle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a robust spindle design is used to withstand high stresses, then the strength and durability improve, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spindle system is segmented into multiple functional components: the annular sleeve bearing structure, the actuator mechanism, and the vane mounting portion. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall complexity while maintaining strength requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
An annular sleeve is introduced as an intermediary component between the spindle and the bearing support structure. This sleeve distributes loads more evenly and reduces stress concentrations, allowing for a simpler overall spindle design while maintaining durability under high stress conditions.
2Reliability
If the spindle is made more robust to handle high stresses, then reliability improves, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The design incorporates dynamic load distribution through the annular sleeve bearing arrangement, which adapts to varying operational stresses. This dynamic approach allows the use of standard manufacturing processes for common components while achieving high reliability through intelligent design rather than over-engineered materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes geometric parameters of the annular sleeve and bearing arrangement to distribute stresses within acceptable limits for standard materials and manufacturing processes. By carefully selecting sleeve thickness, bearing placement, and contact surfaces, the design achieves high reliability using conventionally manufactured components.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If rolling elements are added to reduce stress on the spindle, then durability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The annular sleeve integrates multiple functions: it serves as a structural support element, a load-distributing bearing surface, and a mounting feature for the rolling element bearings. By merging these functions into a single component, the design reduces overall complexity while still providing the durability benefits of rolling element support.
Solution Approach 2:
The annular sleeve is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides structural support, facilitates rotation through bearing integration, and distributes mechanical loads. This universal component approach reduces the total number of parts needed while achieving improved spindle durability through rolling element support.
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
This design enhances the reliability and durability of turbine engine vanes by distributing stress more evenly and reducing the need for overly robust spindles, while allowing for controlled vane rotation.
Implementation Method 1
A first rolling element engages the annular sleeve substantially near the radially outward extent. The first rolling element is coupled to the turbine casing. A second rolling element engages the annular sleeve substantially near the radially inward extent.
Data Source
AI summary
A turbomachine includes a vane, a rotation support coupled to an end of the vane, and a spindle coupled to the rotation support. The spindle, the vane, and the rotation support are rotationally aligned. An annular sleeve defines the spindle. The annular sleeve contacts the rotation support at a radially inward extent and contacts a turbine casing at a radially outward extent. A first rolling element engages the annular sleeve substantially near the radially outward extent. The first rolling element is coupled to the turbine casing. A second rolling element engages the annular sleeve substantially near the radially inward extent. The second rolling element is coupled to an outer endwall ring. A center of mass of the annular sleeve is positioned between the first and second rolling elements.