TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure is directed, in general, to an anti-rotation locking system, and more specifically, to an-anti rotation locking system for a gas turbine compressor variable vane system.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Variable vanes are commonly used in gas turbine compressor sections to optimize the blade angles to accommodate varying flow conditions. In many gas turbines, a mechanism is provided to link each of the blades of a particular row to one another to assure that each blade within the row rotates as desired and in unison.

SUMMARY

[0003] A locking assembly for locking a first attachment member to a second attachment member wherein the first attachment member and the second attachment member are operable to connect a first rotatable guide vane and a second rotatable guide vane respectively to a synchronizing ring includes a first locking member having a first band member. A first aperture is sized to allow passage of the first band member therethrough, and a first lock portion is formed as a closed loop when a portion of the first band member extends through the first aperture. The first lock portion is sized to fixedly engage the first attachment member. A second locking member includes a second band member, a second aperture sized to allow passage of the second band member therethrough, and a second lock portion formed as a closed loop when a portion of the second band member extends through the second aperture, the second lock portion sized to fixedly engage the second attachment member. A tie member is operable to fixedly attach the first band member to the second band member to inhibit movement of the first attachment member and the second attachment member with respect to the synchronizing ring. [0004] In another construction, a locking member for locking a first attachment member to a second attachment member is provided. The first attachment member and the second attachment member are operable to connect a first rotatable guide vane and a second rotatable guide vane respectively to a synchronizing ring. The locking member includes a band member defining an aperture at a first end, the band member extending through the aperture to define a closed loop locking portion. The locking portion includes six substantially planar sides arranged such that the locking portion is hexagonal, a tab member coupled to a first of the planar sides and extending normal to the planar side into a space define by the locking portion, and a pad extending inward toward the space from each of the planar sides.

[0005] A method of fixing the position of a first attachment member and a second attachment member of a row of variable guide vanes with respect to a synchronizing ring is also provided. The method includes maintaining the connection between the variable guide vanes, the first attachment member and the second attachment member, wrapping a first locking member around an exterior of the first attachment member, and passing a first end of the first locking member through an aperture in a second end of the first locking member to define a first closed loop lock portion that engages the first attachment member and a first band portion that extends from the first attachment member. The method further includes wrapping a second locking member around an exterior of the second attachment member, passing a first end of the second locking member through an aperture in a second end of the second locking member to define a second closed loop lock portion that engages the second attachment member and a second band portion that extends from the second attachment member, applying a tension to the first band portion and the second band portion to apply a tightening torque to both the first attachment member and the second attachment member, and connecting the first band portion to the second band portion to maintain the tension.

[0006] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the technical features of the present disclosure so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description that follows.

Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that they may readily use the conception and the specific embodiments disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure in its broadest form.

[0007] Also, before undertaking the Detailed Description below, it should be understood that various definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this specification, and those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that such definitions apply in many, if not most, instances to prior as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases. While some terms may include a wide variety of embodiments, the appended claims may expressly limit these terms to specific embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a compressor section of a gas turbine.

[0009] Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of a variable guide vane assembly of the compressor section of Fig. 1.

[0010] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a synchronizing ring of the variable guide vane assembly of Fig. 2 including a locking assembly.

[0011] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a locking member of the locking assembly of Fig. 3.

[0012] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the locking assembly of Fig. 3.

[0013] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the locking member engaged with the synchronizing ring.

[0014] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a tie member.

[0015] Fig. 8 is a cross section of the tie member taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 5 in the unlocked position.

[0016] Fig. 9 is a cross section of the tie member taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 5 in the locked position. [0017] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Various technologies that pertain to systems and methods will now be described with reference to the drawings, where like reference numerals represent like elements throughout.

The drawings discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged apparatus. It is to be understood that functionality that is described as being carried out by certain system elements may be performed by multiple elements. Similarly, for instance, an element may be configured to perform functionality that is described as being carried out by multiple elements. The numerous innovative teachings of the present application will be described with reference to exemplary non-limiting embodiments.

[0019] Also, it should be understood that the words or phrases used herein should be construed broadly, unless expressly limited in some examples. For example, the terms“include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The singular forms“a”,“an” and“the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Further, the term“and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The term“or” is inclusive, meaning and/or, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The phrases “associated with” and“associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like.

[0020] Also, although the terms "first", "second", "third" and so forth may be used herein to refer to various elements, information, functions, or acts, these elements, information, functions, or acts should not be limited by these terms. Rather these numeral adjectives are used to distinguish different elements, information, functions or acts from each other. For example, a first element, information, function, or act could be termed a second element, information, function, or act, and, similarly, a second element, information, function, or act could be termed a first element, information, function, or act, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0021] In addition, the term "adjacent to" may mean: that an element is relatively near to but not in contact with a further element; or that the element is in contact with the further portion, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Further, the phrase“based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0022] Gas turbine engines are used for many purposes including power generation. A typical gas turbine engine includes a compressor section 15, a combustion section, and a turbine section. During operation, air is drawn into the compressor section 15 and compressed. The compressed air is mixed with a fuel in the combustion section and combusted to produce a flow of combustion gases. The combustion gases pass through the turbine section where energy is extracted to drive the compressor section 15 and, in the case of power generation to also drive a generator to generate electricity.

[0023] The compressor section 15, shown in Fig. 1 , includes a series of compression stages 30 with each stage 30 including a row of stationary blades or guide vanes 33 (partially illustrated) and a corresponding row of rotating blades (not shown). The guide vanes 33 receive the flow of air from an upstream stage (unless it is the inlet guide vane or first stage) and direct that air toward their corresponding rotating blades. To enhance operation and efficiency, some guide vanes 33 are arranged to rotate about a radial axis to change their angle with respect to the incoming air. The construction illustrated in Fig. 1 includes three variable stages 30a with each variable stage 30a including a variable guide vane assembly 35. [0024] As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, each variable guide vane assembly 35 includes a plurality of linkage assemblies 40 with each linkage assembly 40 connected to one of the guide vanes 33 and operable to rotate that guide vane 33 about its radial axis to a particular position or angle. A synchronizing ring 45 includes a plurality of attachment members or pin members 50 with each pin member 50 connecting one of the linkage assemblies 40 to the synchronizing ring 45. The synchronizing ring 45 surrounds the compressor section 15 and is rotatable about a long axis 55 of the compressor section 15 to rotate each of the guide vanes 33 of the particular stage 30a to a particular angle. The synchronizing ring 45 assures that each guide vane 33 rotates to the desired position or angle in unison.

[0025] In most constructions, the pin members 50 are threaded into the synchronizing ring 45 and an adhesive is used to inhibit the unwanted removal of the pin members 50 from the synchronizing ring 45. As is best illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, each pin member 50 includes a nut portion 55 that includes a conventional hexagonal shape. A ball portion 60 is positioned above the nut portion 55 with a narrower neck region 65 therebetween. The linkage assembly 40 connects to the ball portion 60 of the pin member 50 such that the ball portion 60 can provide a desired freedom of movement for the linkage assembly 40.

[0026] Fig. 3 illustrates a locking assembly 70 that further inhibits the unwanted removal of the pin members 50. The locking assembly 70 attaches to two adjacent pin members 50 and is arranged in a manner that would force one pin member 50 to thread inward (i.e., tighten) in response to the other pin member 50 threading outward (i.e., loosening). Thus, the adjacent pin members 50 cooperate to hold one another in place.

[0027] The locking assembly 70 includes two locking members 75 that are connected to one another with one or more tie members 80. One locking member 75 is illustrated in Fig. 4 and includes an elongated band portion or band member 85 that includes an aperture 90 at a first end. In the illustrated construction, the band member 85 has a rectangular cross-section with other cross-sections, aspect ratios, or shapes being possible. The aperture 90 is sized to closely match the cross-section of the band portion 85 to allow the band portion 85 to pass through the aperture 90 and form a closed loop that defines a lock portion 115. In preferred constructions, the top and bottom surfaces of the band portion 85 are smooth. However, in some constructions, a ratcheted surface is formed on a portion of at least one side surface of the band member 85. The ratcheted surface typically includes a plurality of parallel steps that are spaced along the length of the band member and include a steep walled surface that inhibits movement in a first direction and a ramped surface that allows movement in a second direction opposite the first direction.

[0028] As illustrated in Fig. 4, the locking member 75 includes five bends 120 that define six separate substantially planar walls 125 that cooperate to define the hexagonal closed loop or lock portion 115. The bends 120 are positioned to allow the lock portion 115 to fit over the nut portion 55 of the pin member 50 while reducing any stress concentrations that could arise in the bends 120 or comers. A pad 130 is formed or attached to each of the walls 125 with each pad 130 extending inward toward a space 135 defined by the lock portion 115. Each pad 130 is sized to be smaller than the wall 125 such that the pads 130 are spaced from the bends 120. The pads 130 are arranged to engage the surfaces of the nut portion 55 and to space the bends 120 away from the nut portion 55 to reduce the likelihood of the comers of the nut portion 55 contacting and damaging the lock portion 115. Tab members 140 extend toward the space 135 from an upper edge of three of the walls 125 and include a curved end 145 sized to closely fit in the neck region 65 of the pin member 50. The tab members 140 fit in the space between the nut portion 55 and the ball portion 60 of the pin members 50 as illustrated in Fig. 6 and cooperate to inhibit the unwanted removal of the locking member 75. In the illustrated construction, every other wall 125 includes a tab member 140. However, other constructions may include fewer tabs 140, more tabs 140, or tabs 140 arranged in a different manner.

[0029] As illustrated in Fig. 5, two locking members 75 attach to one another to lock the position of the pin members 50. The band members 85 of the two lock members 75 are long enough to extend past one another and to allow the receipt of at least one tie member 80.

[0030] One possible tie member 80 is illustrated in Fig. 7 and includes a body 150, a locking tab 155, and a channel 160. The band members 85a, 85b of the two lock members 75 pass through the channel 160 to facilitate there attachment as is better illustrated in Fig. 8.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 8, the first band member 85a passes through the channel and includes a 180 degree bend 175 that wraps around the bottom of the tie member 80 to inhibit removal of the tie member 80 from the first band member 85a. The second band member 85b passes through the channel 160, entering in the opposite direction as the first band member 85a, and extends out the end of the tie member 80. A ball 170 is positioned within the tie member 80 with the locking tab 155 inhibiting the removal of the ball 170. Movement of the second band member 85b in a tightening direction 165 moves the ball 170 toward the locking tab 155 as shown in Fig. 8. In this position, the ball 170 is free to move away from the first band member 85a and the second band member 85b to allow freedom of movement of the second band member 85b. However, if the second band member 85b is moved in the opposite direction, the ball 170 is moved to the position illustrated in Fig. 9. In this position, the ball 170 wedges between the body 150 and the second band member 85b. The second band member 85b is also forced into the first band member 85a to fix the position of the first band member 85a, the second band member 85b, and the tie member 80.

[0032] In order to install the lock assembly 70, the user first passes the band portion 85 through the aperture 90 to form the lock portion 115. The lock portion 115 is much larger than the ball portion 60 of the pin member 50 and can be easily positioned around the nut portion 55 before the lock portion 115 is tightened. Alternatively, the lock portion 115 is formed by first wrapping the band portion 85 around the exterior of the nut portion 55. The band portion 85 is then passed through the aperture 90 and the lock portion 115 is tightened to engage the nut portion 55. This allows for the installation of the lock members 115 without disconnecting the linkage assembly 40. In most constructions, the walls 125 are pre-formed so that as the lock portion 115 is tightened, the tab members 140 move into position in the neck region 65 between the nut portion 55 and the ball portion 60 and the pads 130 engage the flats of the nut portion 55. The lock portion 115 is arranged on the nut portion 55 so that the band portion 85 passes through the aperture 90 without making an additional bend 120 or making as small a bend as possible. The lock member 75 is also arranged so that the band portion 85 wraps around the nut portion 55 in a counter clockwise direction. Thus, if one were to pull on the band portion 85 to reduce the size of the lock portion 115, one would also apply a torque to the pin member 50 that tends to tighten the pin member 50. The second lock member 75 is positioned on an adjacent pin member 50 in the same manner and is arranged such that the band portions 85 extend toward the adjacent pin members 50 and are substantially parallel to one another. [0033] The tie member 80 receives the band portions 85 in the channel 160. The first band member 85a is bent (bend 175) around the tie member 80 as described with regard to Fig. 8 and the second band member 85b is passed through the channel 160 of the tie member 80. A tensile force is applied to the second band member 85b to tighten the first band member 85a and the second band member 85b to a desired level. The second band member 85b is free to move in the tightening direction 165. However, when the applied tensile load is released from the second band member 85b, the second band member 85b tends to move in the reverse direction until the ball 170 moves into the locked position illustrated in Fig. 9. The result is a tension applied to both the first band member 85a and the second band member 85b that applies a torque that tends to tighten the lock portions 115. In some constructions, a tension up to 2500 N can be applied to each locking member 75, with higher tension levels being possible, but typically not necessary. Typically, a tension in excess of 1000 N should be applied to adequately retain the pin members 50.

[0034] Although an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure has been described in detail, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, substitutions, variations, and improvements disclosed herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure in its broadest form.

[0035] None of the description in the present application should be read as implying that any particular element, step, act, or function is an essential element, which must be included in the claim scope: the scope of patented subject matter is defined only by the allowed claims.

Moreover, none of these claims are intended to invoke a means plus function claim construction unless the exact words "means for" are followed by a participle.