Compact IGV for turboexpander application

1. An inlet guide vane actuation apparatus, comprising:

an actuation ring with a first connector for connecting an actuator rod, wherein the first connector positions the actuator rod outwards of the actuation ring in a plane corresponding to a center of an axial width of the actuation ring;

a plurality of crank rods with a first end connected respectively to a plurality of second connectors, wherein the plurality of second connectors positions the plurality of crank rods outwards of the actuation ring in the plane corresponding to the center of the axial width of the actuation ring; and

a plurality of cranks with each having a third connector connected respectively to a second end of the plurality of crank rods and respectively to vanes associated with a nozzle, wherein the third connector positions the respective crank outside of the actuation ring in the plane corresponding to the center of the axial width of the actuation ring.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cranks are connected to the vanes with a spline joint and the spline joint is centered by a bushing.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the actuation ring, the plurality of crank rods, and the plurality of cranks is a plurality of single-plane four-bar mechanisms.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the actuation ring rotates around the center of the axial width of the actuation ring in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction based on a direction of movement associated with the actuator rod.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a second connector from the plurality of second connectors on the first end and the third connector on the second end of the plurality of crank rods are centered respectively by a plurality of bushings.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the actuator rod is connected to and positioned between two brackets extending outwards of the actuation ring from the axial width of the actuation ring.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the two brackets extending outwards of the actuation ring from the axial width of the actuation ring are symmetrical and allow the actuation rod to rotate with respect to the two brackets in the plane corresponding to the center of the axial width of the actuation ring.

8. A turbo-machine comprising:

an inlet guide vane actuation apparatus, comprising:

an actuation ring with a first connector for connecting an actuator rod, wherein the first connector positions the actuator rod outwards of the actuation ring in a plane corresponding to a center of an axial width of the actuation ring;

a plurality of crank rods with a first end connected respectively to a plurality of second connectors, wherein the plurality of second connectors positions the plurality of crank rods outwards of the actuation ring in the plane corresponding to the center of the axial width of the actuation ring; and

a plurality of cranks with each having a third connector connected respectively to a second end of the plurality of crank rods and respectively to vanes associated with a nozzle, wherein the third connector positions the respective crank outside of the actuation ring in the plane corresponding to the center of the axial width of the actuation ring.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the cranks are connected to the vanes with a spline joint and the spline joint is centered by a bushing.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the actuation ring, the plurality of crank rods, and the plurality of cranks is a plurality of single-plane four-bar mechanisms.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the actuation ring rotates around the center of the axial width of the actuation ring in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction based on a direction of movement associated with the actuator rod.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein a second connector from the plurality of second connectors on the first end and the third connector on the second end of the plurality of crank rods are centered respectively by a plurality of bushings.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the actuator rod is connected to and positioned between two brackets extending outwards of the actuation ring from the axial width of the actuation ring.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the two brackets extending outwards of the actuation ring from the axial width of the actuation ring are symmetrical and allow the actuation rod to rotate with respect to the two brackets in the plane corresponding to the center of the axial width of the actuation ring.

15. A method for manufacturing an inlet guide vane system associated with turbo-machinery, the method comprising:

connecting a first end of an actuator rod to an actuation ring associated with the turbomachinery, wherein the actuator rod is located outwards of the actuation ring in a plane corresponding to a center of an axial width of the actuation ring;

connecting a first end of each of a plurality of crank rods respectively to a plurality of connectors on the actuation ring, wherein the plurality of crank rods are located outwards of the actuation ring in the plane corresponding to the center of the axial width of the actuation ring; and

connecting a plurality of cranks respectively to a second end of each of the plurality of crank rods and respectively to a plurality of vanes associated with the turbo-machinery, wherein the plurality of cranks are located outside of the actuation ring in the plane corresponding to the center of the axial width of the actuation ring.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the cranks are connected to the vanes with a spline joint and the spline joint is centered by a bushing.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the actuation ring, the plurality of crank rods, and the plurality of cranks is a plurality of single-plane four-bar mechanisms.

18. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:

rotating the actuation ring around the center of the axial width of the actuation ring in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction based on a direction of movement associated with the actuator rod.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the actuator rod is connected to and positioned between two brackets extending outwards of the actuation ring from the axial width of the actuation ring.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the two brackets extending outwards of the actuation ring from the axial width of the actuation ring are symmetrical and allow the actuation rod to rotate with respect to the two brackets in the plane corresponding to the center of the axial width of the actuation ring.