Abstract:
Variable stator vane assemblies and stator vanes thereof having a local swept leading edge are provided. The variable stator vane comprises an airfoil disposed between spaced apart inner and outer buttons centered about a rotational axis. The inner and outer buttons each having a button forward edge portion and the airfoil including leading and trailing edges, pressure and suction sides, and a root and a tip. The leading edge, at least a portion of which extends forward of the buttons, includes a local aft sweep at the tip, thereby forming a locally swept tip of the leading edge thereat. The button forward edge portion of the outer button is substantially vertically aligned with the locally swept tip of the leading edge. Methods are also provided for minimizing endwall leakage in the variable stator vane assembly using the same.
Abstract:
A compressor for a turbine engine includes a shroud having a grooved section including a plurality of groove segments extending radially into a shroud surface. A rotor assembly rotatably supported in the shroud includes a rotor hub and a plurality of rotor blades. Each rotor blade extends radially from the rotor hub and terminates at a blade tip, which is spaced from the shroud surface by a tip gap and defines a non-constant clearance region between a leading edge position and a medial chord position along the blade chord at the minimum tip clearance. The rotor blades generate an aft axial fluid flow through the shroud and the grooved section is formed in the shroud surface upstream of the medial chord position within the non-constant clearance region for resisting a reverse axial fluid flow through the tip gap when the compressor section is operated at near stall conditions.
Abstract:
Variable vane devices containing rotationally-driven translating vane structures are provided, as are methods for fabricating variable vane devices. In one embodiment, the variable vane device includes a flow assembly having a centerline, an annular flow passage extending through the flow assembly, cam mechanisms, and rotationally-driven translating vane structures coupled to the flow assembly and rotatable relative thereto. The translating vane structures include vane bodies positioned within the annular flow passage and angularly spaced about the centerline. During operation of the variable vane device, the cam mechanisms adjust translational positions of the vane bodies within the annular flow passage in conjunction with rotation of the translating vane structures relative to the flow assembly. By virtue of the translational movement of the translating vane structures, a reduction in the clearances between the vane bodies and neighboring flow assembly surfaces can be realized to reduce end gap leakage and boost device performance.
Abstract:
A rotor blade comprises a mount and a blade that extends from the mount along a radial axis. The leading edge includes an indent segment. The leading edge has a leading edge radial length measured along the radial axis. The indent segment has an indent radial length measured along the radial axis. The indent segment has an indent depth. A first ratio of the indent radial length to the leading edge radial length is at most 0.5. A second ratio of the indent depth to the indent radial length is at least 0.05.
Abstract:
A compressor for a turbine engine includes a shroud having a grooved section including a plurality of groove segments extending radially into a shroud surface. A rotor assembly rotatably supported in the shroud includes a rotor hub and a plurality of rotor blades. Each rotor blade extends radially from the rotor hub and terminates at a blade tip, which is spaced from the shroud surface by a tip gap and defines a non-constant clearance region between a leading edge position and a medial chord position along the blade chord at the minimum tip clearance. The rotor blades generate an aft axial fluid flow through the shroud and the grooved section is formed in the shroud surface upstream of the medial chord positon within the non-constant clearance region for resisting a reverse axial fluid flow through the tip gap when the compressor section is operated at near stall conditions.
Abstract:
Variable stator vane assemblies and stator vanes thereof having a local swept leading edge are provided. The variable stator vane comprises an airfoil disposed between spaced apart inner and outer buttons centered about a rotational axis. The inner and outer buttons each have a button forward edge portion. The airfoil includes leading and trailing edges, pressure and suction sides, and a root and a tip. The leading edge, at least a portion of which extends forward of the buttons, includes a local forward sweep at the root, thereby forming a locally swept root of the leading edge thereat. The button forward edge portion of the inner button is substantially vertically aligned with the locally swept leading edge root. Methods are also provided for minimizing endwall leakage in the variable stator vane assembly using the same.
Abstract:
Variable stator vane assemblies and stator vanes thereof having a local swept leading edge are provided. The variable stator vane comprises an airfoil disposed between spaced apart inner and outer buttons centered about a rotational axis. The inner and outer buttons each have a button forward edge portion. The airfoil includes leading and trailing edges, pressure and suction sides, and a root and a tip. The leading edge includes a local forward sweep at the root, a local aft sweep at the tip, or both, thereby forming a locally swept leading edge thereat. The button forward edge portion of one or both of the inner and outer buttons is substantially coextensive with the locally swept leading edge. Methods are also provided for minimizing endwall leakage in the variable stator vane assembly using the same.
Abstract:
Variable vane devices containing rotationally-driven translating vane structures are provided, as are methods for fabricating variable vane devices. In one embodiment, the variable vane device includes a flow assembly having a centerline, an annular flow passage extending through the flow assembly, cam mechanisms, and rotationally-driven translating vane structures coupled to the flow assembly and rotatable relative thereto. The translating vane structures include vane bodies positioned within the annular flow passage and angularly spaced about the centerline. During operation of the variable vane device, the cam mechanisms adjust translational positions of the vane bodies within the annular flow passage in conjunction with rotation of the translating vane structures relative to the flow assembly. By virtue of the translational movement of the translating vane structures, a reduction in the clearances between the vane bodies and neighboring flow assembly surfaces can be realized to reduce end gap leakage and boost device performance.
Abstract:
A rotor blade comprises a mount and a blade that extends from the mount along a radial axis. The leading edge includes an indent segment. The leading edge has a leading edge radial length measured along the radial axis. The indent segment has an indent radial length measured along the radial axis. The indent segment has an indent depth. A first ratio of the indent radial length to the leading edge radial length is at most 0.5. A second ratio of the indent depth to the indent radial length is at least 0.05.
Abstract:
Variable stator vane assemblies and stator vanes thereof having a local swept leading edge are provided. The variable stator vane comprises an airfoil disposed between spaced apart inner and outer buttons centered about a rotational axis. The inner and outer buttons each have a button forward edge portion. The airfoil includes leading and trailing edges, pressure and suction sides, and a root and a tip. The leading edge includes a local forward sweep at the root, a local aft sweep at the tip, or both, thereby forming a locally swept leading edge thereat. The button forward edge portion of one or both of the inner and outer buttons is substantially coextensive with the locally swept leading edge. Methods are also provided for minimizing endwall leakage in the variable stator vane assembly using the same.