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 includes a moveable actuation rod in operative communication with a first unison ring such that movement of the actuation rod drives the first unison ring. The control mechanism also includes a linkage in operative communication with the first unison ring and a second unison ring such that movement of the first unison ring drives the second unison ring.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A variable stator vanes control mechanism for a gas turbine engine, comprising:
 a first unison ring;   a second unison ring;   a moveable actuation rod in operative communication with the first unison ring such that movement of the actuation rod drives the first unison ring; and   a linkage in operative communication with the first unison ring and the second unison ring such that movement of the first unison ring drives the second unison ring.   
     
     
         2 . The control mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the linkage pulls the second unison ring. 
     
     
         3 . The control mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the linkage pushes the second unison ring. 
     
     
         4 . The control mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the linkage comprises a turnbuckle. 
     
     
         5 . The control mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the first unison ring is in operative communication with a plurality of variable stator vanes. 
     
     
         6 . The control mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the second unison ring is in operative communication with a plurality of variable stator vanes. 
     
     
         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 an angle variation between stages of variable stator vanes is achieved by adjusting lever arm lengths. 
     
     
         9 . The control mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more additional unison rings; and   one or more additional linkages in operative communication with the one or more additional unison rings such that movement of the first unison ring drives the one or more additional unison rings.   
     
     
         10 . A method to control variable stator vanes in a gas turbine engine, comprising:
 actuating a moveable actuation rod in operative communication with a first unison ring such that movement of the actuation rod drives the first unison ring; and   driving a linkage in operative communication with the first unison ring and a second unison ring such that movement of the first unison ring drives the second unison ring.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the linkage pulls the second unison ring. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the linkage pushes the second unison ring. 
     
     
         13 . A variable stator vanes control mechanism for a gas turbine engine, comprising:
 a compressor having a compressor casing;   a first unison ring disposed about the compressor casing;   a second unison ring disposed about the compressor casing;   a moveable actuation rod in operative communication with the first unison ring such that movement of the actuation rod drives the first unison ring about the compressor casing; and   a linkage in operative communication with the first unison ring and the second unison ring such that movement of the first unison ring about the compressor casing drives the second unison ring about the compressor casing.   
     
     
         14 . The control mechanism of  claim 13 , wherein the linkage pulls the second unison ring. 
     
     
         15 . The control mechanism of  claim 13 , wherein the linkage pushes the second unison ring. 
     
     
         16 . The control mechanism of  claim 13 , wherein the linkage comprises a turnbuckle. 
     
     
         17 . The control mechanism of  claim 13 , wherein the first unison ring is in operative communication with a plurality of variable stator vanes. 
     
     
         18 . The control mechanism of  claim 13 , wherein the second unison ring is in operative communication with a plurality of variable stator vanes. 
     
     
         19 . The control mechanism of  claim 13 , wherein the moveable actuator rod is at least partially secured to the casing compressor. 
     
     
         20 . The control mechanism of  claim 13 , wherein an angle variation between stages of variable stator vanes is achieved by adjusting lever arm lengths.