Systems and Methods to Control Variable Stator Vanes in Gas Turbine Engines

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application include a variable stator vanes control mechanism for a gas turbine engine. The control mechanism may include a moveable actuation rod in operative communication with a torque shaft such that movement of the actuation rod rotates the torque shaft. The control mechanism also may include a first unison ring in operative communication with the torque shaft such that rotation of the torque shaft drives the first unison ring. Moreover, the control mechanism may include a second unison ring in operative communication with the torque shaft such that rotation of the torque shaft drives the second unison ring.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A variable stator vanes control mechanism for a gas turbine engine, comprising:
 a torque shaft;   a moveable actuation rod in operative communication with the torque shaft such that movement of the actuation rod rotates the torque shaft;   a first unison ring in operative communication with the torque shaft such that rotation of the torque shaft drives the first unison ring; and   a second unison ring in operative communication with the torque shaft such that rotation of the torque shaft drives the second unison ring.   
     
     
         2 . The control mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the first unison ring and the second unison ring are in operative communication with the torque shaft such that rotation of the torque shaft drives the first unison ring and the second unison ring in opposite directions. 
     
     
         3 . The control mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the first unison ring and the second unison ring are in operative communication with the torque shaft such that rotation of the torque shaft drives the first unison ring and the second unison ring in similar directions. 
     
     
         4 . The control mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the first unison ring is in operative communication with a plurality of variable stator vanes. 
     
     
         5 . The control mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the second unison ring is in operative communication with a plurality of variable stator vanes. 
     
     
         6 . The control mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the torque shaft is at least partially secured to a casing of a compressor. 
     
     
         7 . The control mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the moveable actuator rod is at least partially secured to a casing of a compressor. 
     
     
         8 . The control mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the torque shaft is disposed about a casing of a compressor by a support structure. 
     
     
         9 . A method to control variable stator vanes in a gas turbine engine, comprising:
 actuating a moveable actuation rod in operative communication with a torque shaft such that movement of the actuation rod rotates the torque shaft;   driving a first unison ring in operative communication with the torque shaft such that rotation of the torque shaft drives the first unison ring; and   driving a second unison ring in operative communication with the torque shaft such that rotation of the torque shaft drives the second unison ring.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first unison ring and the second unison ring are in operative communication with the torque shaft such that rotation of the torque shaft drives the first unison ring and the second unison ring in opposite directions. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first unison ring and the second unison ring are in operative communication with the torque shaft such that rotation of the torque shaft drives the first unison ring and the second unison ring in similar directions. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein movement of the first unison ring and the second unison ring adjusts respective variable stator vanes attached thereto. 
     
     
         13 . A variable stator vanes control mechanism for a gas turbine engine, comprising:
 a compressor having a compressor casing;   a torque shaft disposed about the compressor casing;   a moveable actuation rod in operative communication with the torque shaft such that movement of the actuation rod rotates the torque shaft;   a first unison ring in operative communication with the torque shaft such that rotation of the torque shaft drives the first unison ring about the compressor casing; and   a second unison ring in operative communication with the torque shaft such that rotation of the torque shaft drives the second unison ring about the compressor casing.   
     
     
         14 . The control mechanism of  claim 13 , wherein the first unison ring and the second unison ring are in operative communication with the torque shaft such that rotation of the torque shaft drives the first unison ring and the second unison ring in opposite directions about the compressor casing. 
     
     
         15 . The control mechanism of  claim 13 , wherein the first unison ring and the second unison ring are in operative communication with the torque shaft such that rotation of the torque shaft drives the first unison ring and the second unison ring in similar directions about the compressor casing. 
     
     
         16 . The control mechanism of  claim 13 , wherein the first unison ring is in operative communication with a plurality of variable stator vanes. 
     
     
         17 . The control mechanism of  claim 13 , wherein the second unison ring is in operative communication with a plurality of variable stator vanes. 
     
     
         18 . The control mechanism of  claim 13 , wherein the torque shaft is at least partially secured to the compressor casing. 
     
     
         19 . The control mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the moveable actuator rod is at least partially secured to the compressor casing. 
     
     
         20 . The control mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the torque shaft is disposed about the compressor casing by a support structure.