Variable position guide vane actuation system and method

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a turbine variable position guide vane actuation system. The system includes, a plurality of variable position guide vanes, a plurality of actuators and each actuator is in operable communication with one of the plurality of variable position guide vanes, and at least one structure in operable communication with a plurality of the plurality of actuators and movable parallel to an axis of the turbine.

1 . A turbine variable position guide vane actuation system, comprising:
 a plurality of variable position guide vanes;   a plurality of actuators with each actuator being in operable communication with one of the plurality of variable position guide vanes; and   at least one structure in operable communication with a plurality of the plurality of actuators being movable parallel to an axis of the turbine.   
     
     
         2 . The turbine variable position guide vane actuation system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one structure includes a plurality of pins, each pin being in operable communication with an actuator. 
     
     
         3 . The turbine variable position guide vane actuation system of  claim 2 , wherein each pin has a sleeve rotationally mounted thereto. 
     
     
         4 . The turbine variable position guide vane actuation system of  claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of actuators includes a slot receptive of one of the plurality of pins. 
     
     
         5 . The turbine variable position guide vane actuation system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one structure is arcuate shaped and is substantially concentric with a casing of the turbine. 
     
     
         6 . The turbine variable position guide vane actuation system of  claim 1 , wherein movement of the at least one structure in a direction parallel to an axis of the turbine causes rotation of each of the actuators in operable communication therewith. 
     
     
         7 . The turbine variable position guide vane actuation system of  claim 6 , wherein rotation of each of the actuators causes rotation of one of the variable position guide vanes in operable communication therewith. 
     
     
         8 . The turbine variable position guide vane actuation system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of actuators are a plurality of levers. 
     
     
         9 . The turbine variable position guide vane actuation system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one structure is at least one plate. 
     
     
         10 . The turbine variable position guide vane actuation system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of variable position guide vanes are from more than one stage of the turbine. 
     
     
         11 . The turbine variable position guide vane actuation system of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of actuators in operable communication with one of the at least one structure are in operable communication with variable position guide vanes from more than one stage of the turbine. 
     
     
         12 . A method of actuating a plurality of turbine variable position guide vanes, comprising:
 moving a structure in a direction parallel to an axis of a turbine; and   rotating a plurality of turbine variable position guide vanes in operable communication with the structure.   
     
     
         13 . The method of actuating a plurality of turbine variable position guide vanes of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 rotating a plurality of actuators in operable communication with the structure; and   rotating the plurality of turbine variable position guide vanes in operable communication with the plurality of actuators.