IP Library Granted Patent US 9,103,228
Granted Patent B2
US 9,103,228 · App. 13/204,771 · Granted Aug 11, 2015

Variable stator vane control system

Inventors: Daniel Richard Waugh (Simpsonville, SC); Brian Allen Rittenhouse (Simpsonville, SC)
Assignee: General Electric Company
F01D17/162
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,103,228
App. No.
13/204,771
Granted
Aug 11, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present application provides a variable stator vane control system. The variable stator vane control system may include a variable stator vane positioned by an actuator and a trimmer motor, a resolver to determine a position of the variable stator vane, and a controller in communication with the resolver, the actuator, and the trimmer motor to prevent over travel of the variable stator vane.

Claims (35)

1. A variable stator vane control system, comprising:

a plurality of variable stator vanes positioned on an actuation ring;

each of the plurality of variable stator vanes positioned by an actuator and an individual trimmer motor, the individual trimmer motor positioned in between the respective variable stator vane and the actuator;

a resolver configured to determine a position of each of the plurality of variable stator vanes; and

a controller in communication with the resolver, the actuator, and each individual trimmer motor to prevent over travel of the variable stator vane.

2. The variable stator vane control system of claim 1 , wherein each individual the trimmer motor is in communication with the actuation ring.

3. The variable stator vane control system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of actuation rings and wherein the actuator is in communication with the plurality of actuation rings.

4. The variable stator vane control system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a hydraulic actuator.

5. The variable stator vane control system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a piston.

6. The variable stator vane control system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of actuators.

7. The variable stator vane control system of claim 1 , wherein each individual trimmer motor comprises an electrical trimmer motor.

8. The variable stator vane control system of claim 1 , further comprising a linkage assembly in communication with each of the plurality of variable stator vanes, the actuator, and each individual trimmer motor.

9. The variable stator vane control system of claim 8 , wherein the linkage assembly comprises a crossbar in communication with the actuator.

10. The variable stator vane control system of claim 9 , wherein the linkage assembly comprises a ring arm in communication with the crossbar and each individual trimmer motor.

11. The variable stator vane control system of claim 10 , wherein the linkage assembly comprises a plurality of ring arms.

12. A method of controlling a variable stator vane by an actuator and an individual trimmer motor associated with the variable stator vane to prevent interference with a rotor blade, comprising:

determining a rotational position of the variable stator vane; and

if the variable stator vane is too far open, then:

closing the actuator; and

stopping the trimmer motor; or

if the variable stator vane is too far closed, then:

opening the actuator;

starting the trimmer motor associated with the variable stator vane while stopping another trimmer motor associated with a different variable stator vane; and

stopping the trimmer motor after the variable stator vane does not interfere with the rotor blade.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising the step of alerting an operator is the variable stator vane is too far open or too far closed.

14. The method of claim 12 , further comprising the step of determining if the variable stator vane is in an open position or a closed position.

15. A variable stator vane control system to prevent interference with a rotor blade, comprising:

a plurality of variable stator vanes positioned on an actuation ring;

the plurality of variable stator vanes positioned by an actuator and a trimmer motor in communication with the actuation ring, wherein each of the plurality of variable stator vanes comprises an individual trimmer motor associated therewith, and the trimmer motor is positioned in between one of the plurality of variable stator vanes and the actuator;

a resolver to determine the position of one or more of the variable stator vanes; and

a controller in communication with the resolver, the actuator, and the trimmer motor to prevent interference with the rotor blade by the plurality of variable stator vanes.

16. The variable stator vane control system of claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of actuation rings and wherein the actuator is in communication with the plurality of actuation rings.

17. The variable stator vane control system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a hydraulic actuator.

18. The variable stator vane control system of claim 1 , wherein the trimmer motor comprises an electrical trimmer motor.

19. The variable stator vane control system of claim 15 , further comprising a linkage assembly in communication with the actuation ring, the actuator, and the trimmer motor.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 17, 2023
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
To: GE INFRASTRUCTURE TECHNOLOGY LLC
Reel/Frame 065727/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 8, 2011
From: WAUGH, DANIEL RICHARD; RITTENHOUSE, BRIAN ALLEN
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Reel/Frame 026712/0929 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20130039736A1 · Feb 14, 2013