ACTUATION ARRANGEMENT

摘要

An actuation arrangement for effecting actuation of pivotable vane, for example, variable inlet guide vane in gas turbine engine. The actuation arrangement includes an actuator having a support plate and pivotable plate. The pivotable plate is fixedly connected to pivotable vane and pivotable plate and pivotable vane are pivotable about a pivot axis. The actuator further includes at least one actuation element having a length extending from support plate to proximal a transverse edge portion of pivotable plate substantially perpendicular to pivot axis. The or each actuation element is fixedly connected to each of the support and pivotable plates and formed of a material that changes dimension upon application of external energy. Thus, upon application of external energy, for example, heat, a change in length of the or each actuation element occurs such that change in length effects pivoting of pivotable plate and pivotable vane about the pivot axis.

主权项

1. An actuation arrangement for effecting actuation of a pivotable vane in a gas turbine engine, said actuation arrangement comprising an actuator having:
a support plate; a pivotable plate fixedly connected to the pivotable vane, the pivotable plate and pivotable vane being pivotable about a pivot axis;wherein the actuator further comprises at least one actuation element having a length extending from the support plate to proximal a transverse edge portion of the pivotable plate substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis, the or each actuation element being fixedly connected to each of the support and pivotable plates and formed of a material that changes dimension upon application of external energy to effect a change in the length of the or each actuation element such that the change in length effects pivoting of the pivotable plate and pivotable vane about the pivot axis.