Apparatus and method for rotating fluid controlling vanes in small turbine engines and other applications

摘要

Actuation systems and methods for varying the angle of small turbine engine inlet guide vanes (IGV) and/or compressor stator vanes (CSV). Such systems and methods may employ a piezoelectric inchworm actuator (or a piezo stack actuator or magnetostrictive actuator, depending upon actuation requirements) to actively modify the angle of attack of a single or a cascade of inlet guide vanes or compressor stator vanes. The change in angle of attack is necessary due to large variations in engine operating envelope including but not limited to air density, velocity, temperature, and the like. The present invention is especially suitable to actuate small inlet guide vanes and compressor stator vanes found in small turbine jet engines including but not limited to those under ten (10) inches in diameter.

主权项

1. An apparatus for rotating fluid controlling vanes in a turbine engine Having a longitudinal axis, comprising:
at least one actuator; a slider ring further comprising at least one slider ring guide which is adapted to be slidingly engaged with at least one guide rail groove in a first supporting structure said at least one slider ring guide running in a direction along said longitudinal axis, such that the slinding engagement of said at least one guide rail groove with said at least one slider ring guide constrains said slider ring to translate only along said longitudinal axis; at least one crank slider mechanism which is further comprised of a first arm having a proximal end and a distal end and a second arm having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said first arm proximal end is rotatably attached to said slider ring, and wherein said first arm distal end is rotatably attached to said second arm proximal end, and wherein said second arm distal end is attached to a fluid controlling vane; wherein said fluid controlling vane comprises an inner mounting point and an outer mounting point, wherein said inner mounting point is rotatably attachable to a second supporting structure and wherein said outer mounting point is rotatably attachable to a third supporting structure such that said fluid controlling vane is able to rotate about an axis while held in a fixed position; whereby operation of said at least one actuator causes translation of said slider ring along said longitudinal axis and further causes articulation of said at least one crank slider mechanism, and further causes rotation of said fluid controlling vane.