Profiled bellcrank vane actuation system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10662804-B2
Application number	US-201815907401-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 28, 2018
Priority date	Feb 28, 2018
Publication date	May 26, 2020
Grant date	May 26, 2020

Abstract

A variable vane assembly according to an example of the present disclosure includes an actuator. A connection linkage is pivotable by the actuator. A component receives direct input from the connection linkage providing a cam surface. A driving linkage is interfaced with the cam surface. A variable vane is coupled to the driving linkage. The pivoting of the component and cam surface causes the driving linkage to pivot the vane.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A variable vane assembly, comprising:
an actuator;
a connection linkage pivotable by the actuator;
a profiled bellcrank including a linking arm coupled to the connection linkage for receiving direct input from the connection linkage and a profiled arm providing a cam surface;
a driving linkage interfaced with the cam surface; and
a variable vane coupled to the driving linkage, wherein pivoting of the bellcrank and cam surface causes the driving linkage to pivot the vane.

2. The variable vane assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the profiled arm and the linking arm extend from a rotation portion, and the component is pivotable about a pivot point at the rotation portion.

3. The variable vane assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the connection linkage includes a bellcrank coupled to a fourbar, the bellcrank is different from the profiled bellcrank, and the linking arm is coupled to the fourbar.

4. The variable vane assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the driving linkage includes a follower having a rotatable disk that interfaces with the cam surface.

5. The variable vane assembly as recited in claim 4 , wherein the driving linkage includes:
a link coupled to the follower;
a ring coupled to the link; and
a vane arm coupled to the ring and the variable vane.

6. The variable vane assembly as recited in claim 5 , wherein pivoting of the component causes the disk to rotate along the cam surface, which drives the follower to move linearly, linear movement of the follower rotates the ring through the link, and rotation of the ring pivots the variable vane through the vane arm.

7. The variable vane assembly as recited in claim 4 , wherein the follower includes a main body portion and a tapered end portion extending from the main body portion, and the disk is received in the tapered end portion.

8. The variable vane assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the cam surface is convex.

9. The variable vane assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the driving linkage includes a follower having a rotatable disk interfaced with the cam surface.

10. The variable vane assembly as recited in claim 9 , wherein the follower is movable within a fixed sleeve.

11. The variable vane assembly as recited in claim 10 , wherein pivoting of the profiled bellcrank causes the disk to rotate along the cam surface, which drives the follower to move linearly within the fixed sleeve.

12. The variable vane assembly as recited in claim 11 , wherein the cam surface is convex.

13. A gas turbine engine comprising:
a compressor; and
a variable vane assembly of the compressor, comprising
an actuator;
a connection linkage pivotable by the actuator;
a component receiving direct input from the connection linkage and including a profiled arm providing a cam surface and a linking arm;
a driving linkage including a follower having a rotatable disk interfaced with the cam surface; and
a variable vane coupled to the driving linkage, wherein pivoting of the component and cam surface causes the driving linkage to pivot the vane.

14. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 13 , wherein the component is a profiled bellcrank.

15. The variable vane assembly as recited in claim 13 , wherein the linking arm is coupled to the connection linkage.

16. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 15 , wherein the profiled arm and the linking arm extend from a rotation portion, and the component is pivotable about a pivot point at the rotation portion.

17. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 13 , wherein the driving linkage includes
a link coupled to the follower;
a ring coupled to the link; and
a vane arm coupled to the ring and the variable vane.

18. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 17 , wherein pivoting of the component causes the disk to rotate along the cam surface, which drives the follower to move linearly, linear movement of the follower rotates the ring through the link, and rotation of the ring pivots the variable vane through the vane arm.

19. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 18 , wherein the follower moves linearly in a direction substantially tangential to the rotation of the ring.

20. A variable vane assembly, comprising:
a linear actuator;
a connection linkage including:
a direct bellcrank having a first arm and a second arm, wherein the first arm receives input from the linear actuator; and
a fourbar coupled to the second arm;

a profiled bellcrank including
a rotation portion providing a pivot point;
a profiled arm providing a cam surface and extending from the rotation portion; and
a linking arm extending from the rotation portion and coupled to the fourbar;

a follower having a rotatable disk that interfaces with the cam surface, wherein the follower is linearly movable within a fixed sleeve;
a link coupled to the follower;
a ring coupled to the link;
a plurality of vane arms coupled to the ring; and
a variable vane coupled to each of the plurality of vane arms, wherein pivoting of the profiled bellcrank about the pivot point causes the disk to rotate along the cam surface, which drives the follower to move linearly within the sleeve, linear movement of the follower rotates the ring through the link, and rotation of the ring pivots each variable vane through the plurality of vane arms.

Assignees

• United Technologies Corp

Inventors

• Awtry Eric Weston
• Kassel Kevin

Classifications

• F05D2220/323

  for aircraft propulsion, e.g. jet engines · CPC title

• F05D2260/56

  using cams or eccentrics · CPC title

• F04D29/563

  specially adapted for elastic fluid pumps · CPC title

• F01D17/162 Primary

  for axial flow, i.e. the vanes turning around axes which are essentially perpendicular to the rotor centre line (F01D17/167 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F05D2260/50

  Kinematic linkage, i.e. transmission of position · CPC title