Abstract:
A system for directing the flow of a fluid which comprises a channel for containing the fluid; an articulating vane positioned within the channel for directing the flow of the fluid, the vane comprising a fixed segment rigidly connected to the channel and a first moveable segment operably connected to the fixed segment by a first hub, the first hub configured to allow relative articulation between the segments; an actuator member operably connected to the moveable segment to articulate the moveable segment about the first hub; and wherein the vane further comprises a second moveable segment operably connected to the vane by a second hub, wherein the actuator member articulates the first and second moveable segments by applying a single moment to the first hubs.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is related to concurrently filed and co-pending applications U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ entitled “Splayed Inlet Guide Vanes”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ entitled “Propulsive Force Vectoring”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ entitled “A System and Method for a Fluidic Barrier on the Low Pressure Side of a Fan Blade”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ entitled “Integrated Aircraft Propulsion System”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ entitled “A System and Method for a Fluidic Barrier from the Upstream Splitter”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ entitled “Gas Turbine Engine Having Radially-Split Inlet Guide Vanes”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ entitled “A System and Method for a Fluidic Barrier with Vortices from the Upstream Splitter”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ entitled “A System and Method for a Fluidic Barrier from the Leading Edge of a Fan Blade.” The entirety of these applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The present disclosure generally relates to systems used to control the direction of a fluid flow. More specifically, the present disclosure is directed to systems which use articulating vanes to control the direction of a fluid flow. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Many fluid systems use vanes to control the direction and flow rate of a fluid flow. Gas turbine engines are one example of such a fluid system. The typical gas turbine engine controls the direction of the air moving through engine with an array of vanes located in the inlet or outlet of the engine or in a duct internal to the engine. These vanes are typically unitary pieces which rotate about a single axis or consist of a fixed strut portion about which a variable vane, or flap, rotates. In some applications the vane may consist of two moveable portions which are connected and rotate about a common axis. 
         [0004]    As these vanes are articulated, incongruences in the vane surface and discontinuities in the vane profile disrupts the air flow and reduce the pressure of the working fluid, thereby introducing inefficiencies in the fluid system. Some vanes attempt to mitigate these losses by incorporating flexible skins over the junctions between moving parts. Other vanes use deformable materials for the structural portions of the vane which form the contact surface with the working fluid. 
         [0005]    The present application discloses one or more of the features recited in the appended claims and/or the following features which, alone or in any combination, may comprise patentable subject matter. 
         [0006]    The present disclosure is directed to a system which addresses the deficiencies of traditional vane designs by increasing the number of moveable segments, and the number of pivot points around which the segments move, used in an articulating vane in order to lessen flow disruptions and pressure reductions of the working fluid, thereby introducing increasing the efficiency of in the fluid system 
         [0007]    According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a system for directing the flow of a fluid comprises a channel for containing the fluid; an articulating vane positioned within the channel for directing the flow of the fluid, the vane comprising a fixed segment rigidly connected to the channel and a first moveable segment operably connected to the fixed segment by a first hub, the first hub configured to allow relative articulation between the segments; an actuator member operably connected to the moveable segment to articulate the moveable segment about the first hub; and wherein the vane further comprises a second moveable segment operably connected to the vane by a second hub, wherein the actuator member articulates the first and second moveable segments by applying a single moment to the first hubs. 
         [0008]    According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a system for directing the flow of a fluid comprises a channel for containing the fluid; an articulating vane positioned within the channel for directing the flow of the fluid, the vane comprising a fixed segment rigidly connected to the channel and a first moveable segment operably connected to the fixed segment by a first hub, the first hub configured to allow relative articulation between the segments; an actuator member operably connected to the moveable segment to articulate the moveable segment about the first hub; and wherein the vane further comprises a plurality of moveable segments operably connected to the vane by a plurality of hubs, wherein the actuator member articulates the moveable segments by applying a single moment to the first hubs. 
         [0009]    According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a system for directing the flow of a fluid in a turbofan jet engine comprises a duct for containing the fluid; an articulating vane positioned within the duct for directing the flow of the fluid, the vane comprising a fixed segment rigidly connected to the duct and a first moveable segment operably connected to the fixed segment by a first hub, the first hub configured to allow relative articulation between the segments; an actuator member operably connected to the moveable segment to articulate the moveable segment about the first hub; and wherein the vane further comprises a plurality of moveable segments operably connected to the vane by a plurality of hubs, wherein the actuator member articulates the moveable segments by applying a single moment to the first hubs. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are illustrations representing a multi-segmented articulating vane in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an illustration representing a multi-segmented articulating vane in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are illustrations representing a multi-segmented articulating vane in which the leading segment is fixed in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 4 and 5  are illustrations representing a multi-segmented articulating vane in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
       [0014]    While the present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the present disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to a number of illustrative embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. 
         [0016]    This disclosure presents numerous embodiments to overcome the aforementioned deficiencies of articulating vanes used in fluid system. More specifically, this disclosure is directed to multi-segmented vanes. 
         [0017]    An illustrative multi-segmented vane  100  for directing the flow of a fluid is shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . The vane  100  comprises segments  102 ,  104 , and  106 , hubs  108  and  110 , pins  112  and  114 , stem  116  and  118 , and cable  120 . Segments  102  and  106  are moveable vanes which are capable of articulating about hubs  108  and  110 . Segment  104  is a fixed segment, as shown by  122 , which does not move relative to the channel, duct, or structure (not shown) to which it is fixed. Hubs  108  and  110  may comprise the mating portions of segments  102 / 104  and  104 / 106 , respectively. Pins  112  and  114  are disposed in a channel passing through the hubs  110  and  108 , respectively, to maintain the alignment of the segments  102 ,  104  and  106  about a common axis of the hubs during articulation of the moveable segments  102  and  106 . The hub axis is collinear with the longitudinal axis of the pins. The stems  116  and  118  may protrude through a channel, duct, or structural wall (not shown) to which the vane  100  is attached. 
         [0018]    The segments  102 ,  104  and  106  may comprise any segment profile as is required by the particular application. The segments  102 ,  104  and  106  may vary from one another in terms of length, width, or thickness or profile. As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , segments  102  and  106  comprise a portion of similar thickness to the thickness of segment  104  nearer their inner portion by hubs  108  and  110  and taper toward their outer leading and trailing edges, respectively. Any segment may also taper or expand toward its lateral edges. The gaps between the segments of vane  100  have been exaggerated to show the details of their mating surfaces. 
         [0019]    The hubs  108  and  110  may comprise the mating junction of two segments as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . Other junctions may be used. For example, the portion of the fixed segment  104  partially forming hub  108  may by a single part centered between the lateral edges of the vane  100  surrounded on either lateral side by a portion of segment  102 . In some embodiments, the fixed segment  102  may comprise the lateral portions of the hub  108  while segment  102  comprises a single portion laterally centered on the vane  100 . Other designs are contemplated by the disclosure in which two segments can be joined such that at least one of the segments is capable of articulation relative to the other. 
         [0020]    The stems  116  and  118  are used to couple the articulation of segments and may convert relative motion between segments into relative articulation. As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , stems  116  and  118  are comprised of elongated portions extending from segments  102  and  106 , respectively, near an edge proximate to the fixed segment  104 . These portions may extend through a wall of the channel, duct, or structure to which the segment  104  is fixed and may be connected to an actuating mechanism. In some embodiments, the stems, or an equivalent structure, are located internal to the segments  102  and  104 , in which case an articulating mechanism may protrude through the duct, channel, or structural wall to operably engage a segment or stem. 
         [0021]    Disposed on the stems  116  and  118  may be a set of teeth or gears used to operably engage a chain or belt coupling stems  116  and  118 . The stems may also be smooth along their entire length. The cable  120  comprise carbon fiber or carbon nano-tube threads. The cable  120  may be replaced by solid link ties, belt(s), or other methods which similarly couple the motion of stems  116  and  118 . The cable  120  may be located internal to segments  102  and  104  and pass through an internal cavity in segment  104 . 
         [0022]    In some embodiments, each stem  116  and  118  may comprise a structure of a radius different from that of the other stem. Using stems  116  and  118  with different radii allow the variation in rates of articulation of each stem and segment. This also allows the articulation of each segment to be individually tuned such that a more precise and complex vane profile can be achieved. 
         [0023]    As shown in  FIG. 1B , applying a single moment to one of the stems  116  or  118  results in the articulation of both moveable segments  102  and  104 . A single moment  124  may be applied to the applied to the stem  116  by an actuating mechanism (not shown). This moment  124  will articulate the stem  116 , causing both the downward movement of segment  102 , as shown by  130 , as well as the counterclockwise rotation of stem  116  about the axis of hub  108 . As the stem  116  rotates, the gears or teeth will rotate and engage cable  120  causing the cable to move as indicated by arrows  126 . The cable  120  will then engage the gears or teeth on stem  118 , translating the linear motion of the cable  120  into the clockwise rotation motion of the stem  118  about the axis of the hub  110 , articulating the segment  106  downward as shown by  132 . In some embodiments, friction between the cable  120  and the stems may translate the linear motion to rotational motion. The clockwise rotation of stem  118  is effectuated by the figure eight use of the cable  120  between stems  116  and  118 . 
         [0024]    An embodiment of a multi-segmented vane  200  for directing the flow of a fluid is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In this embodiment, the cable  220  is connected such that the longitudinal length of the cable runs are parallel with one another between stems  216  and  218 . Here, a moment  224  is applied to stem  216  which causes the stem  216  to rotate counterclockwise, thereby articulating segment  202  downward, as indicated by arrow  230 , driving the movement of cable  220 . In turn, the linear motion of cable  220  will be translated into the counterclockwise rotational motion of stein  218 . Finally, segment  206  is articulated upward as indicated by arrow  232 . 
         [0025]    In some embodiments, a segment other than a middle, internal, or non-leading or -trailing segment may be fixed to the channel, duct or structure which supports the vane.  FIG. 3A  illustrates an embodiments of a multi-segmented vane  300  in which the a leading vane  302  is fixed as shown by  322 . The multi-segmented vane  300  comprises a fixed segment  302 , moveable segments  304  and  306 , hubs  308  and  310 , pins (not shown) connecting the respective segments about the hubs  308  and  310 , stems  316  and  318 , cable  320  and stem  312 . The stem  312  is rigidly connected to moveable segment  304  and stem  316  is rigidly connected to the fixed segment  302  and the moveable segment  306  is rigidly connected to stem  318 . While the stem  312  is connected to the vane  300  on the lateral side opposite that of stems  316  and  318 , the stems may be located on the same lateral side of the vane  300 . Additionally, equivalent functioning structures may be located internally to the segments  302 ,  304  and  306 . Stein  312  is operably connected to an actuating mechanism (not shown), and stems  316  and  318  are operably coupled to translate the relative motion between segments  302  and  306  (or, hub  310 ) into an articulating motion. Each stem  312 ,  316  and  318  may be located at any point along the longitudinal length of segments  304 ,  302  and  306 , respectively. 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIG. 3B , applying a single moment to the stem  312  results in the articulation of both moveable segments  304  and  306 . A single moment  324  may be applied to the applied to stem  312  by an actuating mechanism (not shown). This moment  324  will articulate the stem  312 , causing the upward movement of segment  304 , as shown by  330 . As the segment  304  articulates, relative motion is driven between hub  310  and the fixed segment  302 , or stems  316  and  318 . This relative motion places a tension on the cable  320  which causes a moment  328  to rotate stem  318 , thereby articulating segment  306  upward, as indicated by  332 . 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, the cable  320  may be rigidly fixed stems  316  and  318 . The cable may comprise two separate segments which may wrap fully, partially or more than once around the stems in directions opposite from one another. In some embodiments hub  310  further comprises a restoring spring (not shown) which deflects from its neutral position when there is relative motion between segments  304  and  306 . This deflection will introduce a force to drive the realignment of segment  306  with segment  304  when the actuator returns segment  304  to the position as shown in  FIG. 3A . This spring may be an angular spring in which one end of the spring is rigidly fixed to segment  306  and the other end is rigidly fixed to segment  304 . 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, the stem  318  may be operably connected to an arcuate gear track mounted to the wall of the channel, duct or structure to which the vane  300  is attached. The stem  318  may comprise gear teeth that operably engage the gear track. The movement of segment  304  drives hub  310  (and stem  318 ) along the gear track, thereby creating relative motion between the stem  318  and gear track and articulating segment  306 . 
         [0029]    In some embodiments, the cable  320  may be operable connected to stem  318  and fixed to the wall. The cable  320  may wrap around the stem  316  partially, fully, or more than once. An internal tensioning mechanism contained in the stem  318  functions to maintain tension in the cable  320  such that it will rewrap around the stem  318  when the vane  300  returns to its normal positon. From its normal position, movement of the hub  310  will cause tension in the cable  320  because one end of the cable is fixed to the wall and the other wrapped around the moving stem  318  connected to hub  310 . This tension will be relieved by the rotation of the stem  318  thereby unwinding as the cable  320 . The direction of rotation of stem  318  can be controlled by wrapping the cable  320  around the stein  318  in a clockwise or counterclockwise fashion. 
         [0030]    An illustrative example of a multi-segmented vane  400  is disclosed in  FIG. 4 . The vane  400  comprises segments  402 ,  404 ,  406  and  408 , hubs  410 , stems  412 ,  414 ,  416  and  418 , cables and  420  and  422 . Vane  404  is rigidly fixed to the channel, duct or structural wall (not shown). The segment are connected by pivoting hubs  410  which contain aligning pins (not shown). The stems  412 ,  414 ,  416  and/or  418  may protrude through the channel, duct or structural wall or may be located within segments  402 ,  404 ,  406  or  408 . Stem  416  is rigidly connected to segment  404 , in some embodiments by a connecting rod (not shown) which passes through stem  414 . The cables  420  and/or  422  may be located within the segments. 
         [0031]    A single moment may be applied by an articulating mechanism (not shown) to either stems  412  or  414  which articulates segments  402  and  406  as described above. This will drive relative motion between operation stem  418  and  416  because the hub  410  between segments  406  and  408  is driven by the articulation of segment  406 . The relative motion will lead to the articulation of segment  408  as described above. Alternatively, stem  418  may be operably connected to fixed point or structure in order to effectuate the rotation of stem  418 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of a multi-segmented vane  500 . The vane comprises segments  502 ,  504 ,  506  and  508 , hubs  510 , stems  512 ,  514 ,  516 ,  518 , and  524  and cables  520  and  522 . Segment  502  is rigidly fixed to a channel, duct or structural wall. Segments  504 ,  506  and  508  are free to articulate. 
         [0033]    A single moment may be applied by an articulating mechanism to stem  524  to articulate segment  504 ,  506  and  508 . This movement will drive relative motion between stems  514  and  512 . Stem  512  is connected to segment  502  and is therefore fixed. This relative motion will articulate segment  506 , which in turn drive relative motion between segments  508  and  504 . This second relative motion also drives relative motion between stems  518  and  516  (which are fixed to segments  508  and  504 , respectively), causing tension in cable  522  which will rotate stem  518  and articulate segment  508 . In some embodiments stem  516  is rigidly fixed to segment  504  by a connection rod (not shown) which passes through stem  514 . In some embodiments the stems  514  and  518  may be operably connected to a fixed point or structure on the channel, duct or structural wall in order to effectuate rotation of segments  506  and  508 . 
         [0034]    The disclosure contemplates fixing any segment of the multi-segmented vane while affecting the articulation of a plurality of moveable segments by apply a single moment. Increases in the number of segments and pivot hubs allows the design of more gradual and/or controlled changes in the profile of a vane. These smoother profiles will lead to the redirection of an airflow with minimal disruption to the flow and lower pressure losses than with other vane systems. 
         [0035]    While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it is to be understood that the embodiments described are illustrative only and that the scope of the invention is to be defined solely by the appended claims when accorded a full range of equivalence, many variations and modifications naturally occurring to those of skill in the art from a perusal hereof.