Patent Description:
Gas turbine engines are typically employed to power aircraft. Typically a gas turbine engine will comprise a fan driven by an engine core. The engine core is generally made up of one or more turbines (e.g. high pressure and intermediate pressure turbines) which drive respective compressors via coaxial shafts.

The compressors compress air that flows into the engine core and is directed into combustion equipment where it is mixed with fuel and the mixture combusted, the resulting hot combustion products expanding through and thereby driving the turbines.

Compressors, more particularly axial compressors, typically comprise multiple stages, each stage consisting of a row of rotating blades called rotor blades that are connected to a central shaft and a row of stationary or fixed blades called stators. As air passes through each compressor stage the air pressure and temperature increases. The aerodynamic performance and handling characteristics of the compressor are largely determined by the geometries of the rotor blades and the stators in the compressor stages.

Stators straighten or align the airflow, i.e. the swirl coming off the blades, ready for the next set of rotating blades. They are also known as stator vanes or guide vanes.

While stator vanes are intended to be stationary in use, it can be advantageous to be able to adjust their positioning to optimise their function. Such adjustable stator vanes are known as variable stator vanes or simply variable vanes. Compressors that include variable vanes are known as variable geometry compressors.

Variable vanes can typically pivot about axes such as to vary the angle of the vane aerofoil to optimize compressor operability and/or efficiency over the compressor speed range. These variable vanes may include variable inlet guide vanes (IGV), which are located directly upstream of the first compressor stage, or variable vanes, which form part of one or more of the subsequent downstream stages in a multistage compressor. As the engine power / rotational speed of the compressor vary the vanes are rotated to optimise compressor performance for efficiency and aerodynamic stability. More specifically, variable vanes enable optimized compressor efficiency and/or operability by providing a close-coupled direction of the gas flow into the immediately downstream compressor rotor, and/or may introduce swirl into the compressor rotor to improve low speed operability of the compressor, and thus the engine, as well as to increase the flow capacity at high speeds.

Each variable vane typically has an aerofoil cross-section with an integral spindle to allow rotation or variation of stagger. It is mounted in bushes in a casing or inner shroud ring and has a lever fitted to its outer end. The levers are connected to a unison ring via spherical bearings so that when the unison ring is rotated the vanes all re-stagger together. The casing or inner shroud ring is known as a penny.

When building a gas turbine engine the variable vanes must be set at the intended stagger angle(s). This however is difficult in practice due to multiple sources of mechanical tolerance being at play, especially to achieve the desirably high levels of consistency and accuracy that are needed to optimise compressor and engine performance.

To allow for such variations in setting stagger angles it is necessary to introduce margins in to the design of the engine that cover worst case scenarios of noncompliance with aerodynamic design intent, i.e. "malschedule". These allowances include compromises to compressor aerodynamics and engine acceleration / deceleration times. Compromises to compressor efficiency adversely affect fuel efficiency. And compromises to acceleration adversely affect landing glide scope capture ability.

It is known to use an inclinometer to set the stagger angle of a compressor variable vane. An inclinometer or clinometer is an instrument used for measuring angles of slope (or tilt), elevation, or depression of an object with respect to gravity's direction. Handheld clinometers are used for a variety of surveying and measurement tasks.

European patent application <CIT> discloses a device for determining the angular position of a compressor guide vane pivotable about the longitudinal axis thereof disposed in a compressor, associated with a synchronously rotating, flat measuring surface. In order to allow reliable, simple, and nearly error-free detection of the angular positions by means of a robust device, the angular position of the compressor guide vane rotatable about the longitudinal axis thereof is semiautomatically determined by means of the device. The device includes at least one mounting unit for temporarily fastening the device in alignment on the compressor, and a measuring unit including an angle measuring device having a rotary plate rotatable about the rotary axis, on which rotary plate a vertically protruding measuring arm extending parallel to the rotary axis is provided for making planar contact, via the free end thereof, with the measuring surface.

International patent application <CIT> discloses an in-situ boroblending tool for the computer-assisted (automated) blend repair of an airfoil of a turbomachine. The tool has a flexible borescope line that is connected to a robotic head unit that is capable of inspecting and boroblending the airfoil. The head unit has a stereoscopic camera suite for monitoring movement and positioning of the head unit toward and on the airfoil, at least two gripping elements which are configured to be capable of being positioned on opposite main surfaces of the airfoil, of gripping the airfoil and of moving along the airfoil, and a grinding element for executing the blend repair.

United States patent application <CIT> discloses a variable vane mechanism for adjusting the angle of stator vanes in a gas turbine engine. The mechanism includes a circumferentially extending unison ring that is driven circumferentially around a casing by an actuator. The unison ring is connected to the stator vanes via levers such that the angle of the vanes changes with circumferential movement of the unison ring. The unison ring and the casing are each provided with at least one rigging hole in order to set the initial angle of the vanes. At least one of the unison ring and the casing are each provided with at least two rigging holes, so that the initial angle of the vanes can be adjusted by selecting different combinations of rigging holes. This may allow accumulations in tolerances to be compensated for and/or may allow the engine to be tested at different initial vane angles. However it does not provide the aerodynamic stagger angles necessary to understand the aerodynamic performance of a compressor.

Some known inclinometers have rotating arms with electrical contactors or mechanical contact points that bear against the surface of an aerofoil and various angles are measured by rotary encoders and/or mechanical protractors. However experience has demonstrated that such inclinometers are operator sensitive and prone to significant operator to operator discrepancies.

Other known inclinometers include optical sensors but they are designed to measure exterior engine features, e.g. actuator arms, rather than internal engine components such as aerofoils. And they are generally incapable of providing the richness of data or accuracy needed to usefully inform the effective design of inclinometers and/or the effective positioning of internal engine components such as aerofoils using inclinometers.

It is therefore desirable to provide an approved compressor variable angle measurement system or at least a system that provides a useful alternative to known compressor vane installation systems and methods.

The present invention provides a compressor variable angle measurement system and a method as set out in the appended claims.

In a first aspect the present invention provides a compressor variable angle measurement system for guiding the positioning variable vanes supported on a penny of a compressor of a gas turbine engine, the compressor variable angle measurement system comprising a gauge assembly that is connectable to a computing device; the gauge assembly comprises: a baseplate that has a first section and a second section, the first section having a first trailing edge vane engaging portion, a second trailing edge vane engaging portion, at least three vane contact portions, and a radial setting pin, the second section having an inertial measurement unit, the radial setting pin being configured to contact the penny that supports the vane; a clamp arm that is pivotally attached to the baseplate and has a first section that has a vane contact portion, the first section of the clamp arm being spring urged towards the first section of the baseplate; the gauge assembly being configured to removably grip a variable vane between the vane contact portions of the baseplate and the vane contact portion of the clamp arm and on the first trailing edge vane engaging portion and the second trailing edge vane engaging portion of the base plate, the stagger angle of the variable vane with respect to the radial setting pin being determined by the computing device from measurements made by the inertial measurement unit.

The compressor variable angle measurement system generates accurate (for example. +/-<NUM> degrees) aerodynamic stagger angles for compressor blading.

The compressor variable angle measurement system facilitates data of sufficient fidelity to allow engine design to be modified to realise fuel burn and noise benefits.

Such a system is useful for reducing malschedule uncertainty.

In some embodiments the first trailing edge vane engaging portion and the second trailing edge vane engaging portion are located adjacent where the baseplate is pivotally attached to the clamp arm.

In some embodiments the first trailing edge vane engaging portion and the second trailing edge vane engaging portion are located adjacent pivot portions formed in the clamp arm about which the baseplate is pivotally attached to the clamp arm.

In some embodiments the first trailing edge vane engaging portion and the second trailing edge vane engaging portion are located adjacent pivot supports formed in the baseplate about which the clamp arm is pivotally attached to the baseplate.

In some embodiments the vane contact portions of the baseplate have vane contact cushions. These assist to prevent or at least minimise any scratching or other damage to the surface of the vane.

In some embodiments the vane contact cushions are formed of nylon. Nylon has a sufficiently low coefficient of friction to enable the vane contact cushions to slide on the surface of a variable vane thereby avoiding or at least minimising any scratching or other damage to the surface of the vane.

In some embodiments the or each vane contact portion of the clamp arm has a vane contact cushion. These assist to prevent or at least minimise any scratching or other damage to the surface of the vane.

In some embodiments the vane contact cushions are formed of nylon. Nylon has a sufficiently low coefficient of friction to enable the vane contact cushion to slide on the surface of a variable vane thereby avoiding or at least minimising any scratching or other damage to the surface of the vane.

In some embodiments the baseplate and/or the clamp arm include an aperture. The provision of such apertures assists the user to see whilst using the equipment better. It also enables the gauge assembly to be lighter in weight.

In some embodiments the radial setting pin is elongate and/or has a substantially circular cross-section.

In some embodiments the compressor variable angle measurement system comprises a set of guide assemblies configured to measure the positioning of different variable vanes in the gas turbine engine. This reflects that the size of variable vanes typically differs within a gas turbine engine and that the size of variable vanes typically differs between engine models. For a given engine model a set of guide assemblies may, for example, consist of three gauge assemblies i.e. a large, an intermediate and a small gauge assembly.

The judicious positioning of variable vanes in a gas turbine engine compressor can improve compressor aerodynamics and therefore compressor efficiency and engine fuel efficiency.

In a second aspect the present invention provides a method of positioning variable vanes in a compressor of a gas turbine engine, the method comprising the steps of: (a) removably gripping a variable vane of the compressor within a gauge assembly of the compressor variable angle measurement system of the first aspect; (b) bringing the radial setting pin into contact with the penny that supports the vane; (c) measuring the position of the variable vane with respect to the radial setting pin; and (c) adjusting the position of the variable vane to a desired position informed by data obtained from the compressor variable angle measurement system.

In some embodiments in step (a) the variable vane is located on the first trailing edge vane engaging portion and the second trailing edge vane engaging portion of the baseplate and gripped between the at least three vane contact portions of the baseplate and the at least one vane contact portion of the clamp arm.

The term "compressor variable vane" as used herein means a stator vane of a compressor of a gas turbine engine that is moveable in angle to set compressor aerodynamics performance at different operating points.

The term "stagger angle" as used herein means the aerodynamic stagger angle of the aerofoil.

The term "baseplate angle" as used herein means the angle of the baseplate of the gauge (specifically the underside which is datum). This angle has a fixed relationship with stagger angle and differs from one vane design to another / engine type and stage.

The term "cottage roof angle" as used herein means the angle of the mechanical feature on the end of the vane spindle that is used to apply torque to a variable vane to rotate it around the spindle axis. This angle has a fixed relationship with stagger angle and differs from one vane design to another / engine type and stage.

The term "aero stagger angle" as used herein is the sum of the baseplate angle, the cottage roof angle and another offset angle.

The term "vane average baseplate angle" as used herein means the average of the whole set of baseplate angle measurements for a given stage/row of vanes.

The term "aero stagger delta values" as used herein means the delta stagger angle relative to design intent.

The term "vane average aero stagger angle" as used herein means as vane average baseplate angle but aero stagger angle. It is calculated by summing the vane average baseplate angle the appropriate delta angle between baseplate and aero stagger angle from the config. file, determined at initialisation.

Other than in the operating examples, or where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities or measures used herein are to be understood as modified in all instances by the term "about".

Throughout this specification and in the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other stated integer or group of integers.

The following table lists the reference numerals used in the drawings with the features to which they refer:.

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The present invention concerns a compressor variable angle measurement system, more particularly a system for guiding the accurate positioning of variable vanes of a compressor of a gas turbine engine.

High pressure ratio axial compressors require variable geometry (angle) vanes in the front stages to unload the blades aerodynamically at low power to avoid compressor stall / surge. The vanes open gradually as the power and speed of the compressor rise and critically affect both surge margin and efficiency of the machine.

The angle of the vanes is important to understanding and controlling the behaviours of the compressor and engine. The vanes are typically controlled by circumferential unison rings rotated by hydraulic rams. The circumferential setting of the rings is currently achieved by rigging pins which pass radially through the rings to locate in the compressor case. However, there are geometrical tolerance stack ups to be accounted between ring location and where the aerodynamic surfaces are pointing and these are open to critique.

In a first aspect the present invention provides compressor variable angle measurement system for guiding the positioning variable vanes within a compressor of a gas turbine engine.

The engine <NUM> comprises an air intake <NUM> which receives air and a propulsive fan <NUM> generates two airflows: a core airflow A and a bypass airflow B. Air intake airflow comprises the sum total of the air flowing into the operational upstream end of the engine <NUM>, with the sum total of the core airflow A and the bypass airflow B substantially equal to the intake airflow.

The planet carrier <NUM> constrains the planet gears <NUM> to process around the sun gear <NUM> in synchronicity whilst enabling each planet gear <NUM> to rotate about its own axis.

The present invention concerns a system for accurately positioning variable vanes of a compressor of a gas turbine engine. Such variable vanes are typically stators. <FIG> is a sectional side view of the high pressure compressor <NUM> of the gas turbine engine <NUM> depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>. The drawing identifies rotor blades <NUM> and stators blades <NUM> within the low pressure compressor <NUM>. The stator blades are variable stator vanes (VSV). The present invention concerns the accurate positioning of such vanes.

In a first aspect the present invention provides a compressor variable angle measurement system. Such a system is depicted in <FIG>. The compressor variable angle measurement system <NUM> comprises a gauge assembly <NUM> and a computing device <NUM>. The gauge assembly is connectable to the computing device but the manner of that connection is described in more detail below.

Various views of the gauge assembly <NUM> shown in <FIG> are provided in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. <FIG> is a side view, <FIG> is a plan view and <FIG> is an end view.

The gauge assembly <NUM> of the compressor variable angle measurement system <NUM> has a baseplate <NUM> that has a first section <NUM>, a second section <NUM>, a first surface <NUM>, a second surface <NUM>, a first side <NUM> and a second side <NUM>. The baseplate can be composed of any substance suitable for the purpose. In certain embodiments the baseplate is composed or a metal or metal alloy, for example, a rigid plastic material, or a composite material, e.g. carbon fibre.

The baseplate <NUM> has at least three vane contact portions <NUM>, i.e. portions that extend from the first surface <NUM> of the baseplate <NUM> that are configured and positioned to contact a variable vane to be measured in the compressor variable angle measurement system whilst minimising any scratching or other damage to the variable vane. In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, each vane contact portion includes a vane contact cushion <NUM>, which e.g. may be hemispherical in shape and which e.g. may be composed of a scratch-resistant plastic/polymer material.

The number of vane contact portions <NUM> that are provided on the baseplate can vary as required. In some embodiments three vane contact portions <NUM> are provided on the baseplate as this usefully balances the provision of effective support for the variable vane with the desire to minimise the possibility of the variable vane being scratched or otherwise damaged.

The baseplate <NUM> of the gauge assembly <NUM> includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU) <NUM>. IMUs are electronic sensor devices that function as accelerometers, gyroscopes and/or magnetometer. The purpose of IMU will be explained below. The IMU can take various forms. Suitable IMUs are commercially available, one such IMU being the Variense™ VMU931 inertial measurement unit, which is a round IMU with a diameter of <NUM>, that can accommodate up to <NUM>-axis accelerometers, <NUM>-axis gyros, <NUM>-axis magnetic, temperature sensors in a robust aluminium housing. It is shock resistant, splashproof and dustproof.

The baseplate <NUM> of the gauge assembly <NUM> also includes a radial setting pin <NUM> that extends from the first side <NUM> of the gauge assembly. The radial setting pin is used to set the gauge assembly at a consistent height along the variable vane, the height being equivalent to the location along wingspan. In some embodiments the radial setting pin <NUM> is elongate and in some embodiments it has a substantially circular cross-section. The purpose of radial setting pin will be explained in more detail below.

The baseplate <NUM> of the gauge assembly <NUM> also has two or more TE contact pins <NUM> which to ensure alignment of the gauge assembly at a fixed angle relative to the vane spindle axis of the variable vane. The two or more TE contact pins are located on the first surface <NUM> of the baseplate. In some embodiments, including the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the baseplate <NUM> has a pair of TE contact pins <NUM>, one TE contact pin is located on the first surface <NUM> of the baseplate adjacent the first side <NUM> of the baseplate, and the other TE contact pin is located on the first surface <NUM> of the baseplate adjacent the second side <NUM> of the baseplate. The TE contact pins can be provided with TE contact pin cushions to minimise any scratching or other damage to the variable vane but this is typically not necessary as it is the leading edge or the trailing edge of the variable vane that contacts the TE contact pins rather than the pressure side or the suction side of the variable vane, which are more prone to being scratched.

The gauge assembly <NUM> has a clamp arm <NUM> that is pivotally attached to the baseplate <NUM>. The clamp arm <NUM> has a first end <NUM>, a second end <NUM>, a first surface <NUM>, a second surface <NUM>, a first side <NUM> and a second side <NUM>. The clamp arm <NUM> can be composed of any substance suitable for the purpose. In certain embodiments the clamp arm is composed or a metal or metal alloy, for example a rigid plastic material, or a composite material, e.g. carbon fibre.

In some embodiments the baseplate <NUM> and the clamp arm <NUM> are composed of the same substance. In some embodiments the baseplate and the clamp arm are composed of different substances.

The baseplate <NUM> and the clamp arm <NUM> form jaws for the gauge assembly <NUM> to support and retain a variable vane for its position to be accurately determined by the compressor variable angle measurement system <NUM>.

The clamp arm <NUM> has at least one vane contact portion <NUM>, i.e. a portion that extends from the first surface <NUM> of the clamp <NUM> that is configured and positioned to contact a variable vane to be measured in the compressor variable angle measurement system whilst minimising any scratching or other damage to the variable vane. In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the vane contact portion <NUM> includes a vane contact cushion <NUM>, which e.g. may be hemispherical in shape and which e.g. may be composed of a scratch-resistant plastic/polymer material.

The number of vane contact portions <NUM> that are provided on the clamp can vary as required. In some embodiments a single vane contact portion <NUM> is provided on the clamp as this usefully balances the provision of effective support for the variable vane with the desire to minimise the possibility of the variable vane being scratched or otherwise damaged.

The clamp arm <NUM> can be pivotally attached to the baseplate <NUM> in a variety of ways. In some embodiments, including the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the claim arm <NUM> has a pair of pivot portions <NUM>, one extending from the first side <NUM> of the clamp arm and another extending from the second side <NUM> of the clamp arm. The pivot portions <NUM> are formed to be received within pivot supports that are formed in the baseplate <NUM> of the gauge assembly <NUM>. These pivot supports are not shown in <FIG>.

The first end <NUM> of the clamp arm <NUM> is spring urged towards the first section <NUM> of the baseplate <NUM> by a spring <NUM> that is located between the first surface <NUM> of the baseplate and the first surface <NUM> of the clamp arm at a location between the point of pivotal attachment and the second section <NUM> of the baseplate and the second section <NUM> of the clamp arm. The spring <NUM> serves to removably grip a variable vane <NUM> of a gas turbine engine <NUM> between the clamp arm <NUM> of the gauge assembly <NUM> and the baseplate <NUM> of the gauge assembly <NUM>, more particularly between the vane contact cushion <NUM> of the clamp arm <NUM> of the gauge assembly <NUM> and the vane contact cushions <NUM> of the baseplate <NUM> of the gauge assembly <NUM>. For illustrative purposes, a compression spring is shown but other spring configurations are possible including rotary, extension springs, torsion bars or pneumatic / hydraulic piston type devices.

In use a variable vane <NUM> whose position is to be determined by the compressor variable angle measurement system is placed within the jaws of the gauge assembly <NUM> formed by the first section <NUM> of the baseplate <NUM> and the first section <NUM> of the clamp arm <NUM>. The variable vane <NUM> is held in place in the gauge assembly <NUM> between vane contact cushions <NUM> of the baseplate <NUM>, the TE contact pin <NUM> of the baseplate, and the vane contact cushions <NUM> of the clamp arm <NUM>.

In certain embodiments, including the one shown in <FIG>, the gauge assembly includes seven points of contact to a variable vane (not shown): three vane contact cushions <NUM> on the first surface <NUM> of the baseplate <NUM> contact the underside of the variable vane, a single vane contact cushion <NUM> on the first surface <NUM> of the clamp arm <NUM> contacts the upper side of the variable vane, two TE contact pins <NUM> to contact the leading edge or the trailing edge of the variable vane, and a final steel leg in contact with the inner penny (not shown).

<FIG> shows a second embodiment of a gauge assembly <NUM> of the compressor variable angle measurement system <NUM> of the present invention. It includes most of the features of the first embodiment of the gauge assembly, one notable difference being the baseplate and the clamp include apertures <NUM> and <NUM> respectively. The provision of these apertures assists the user to see whilst using the equipment better. It also enables the gauge assembly to be lighter in weight. The figure also shows a pivot pin <NUM> about which the baseplate <NUM> pivots with respect to the clamp arm <NUM>. The pivot pin <NUM> is held with pivot supports <NUM> that are formed in the baseplate <NUM>.

<FIG> shows two gas turbine engine variable vanes, one of which being held within the second embodiment of a gauge assembly of the compressor variable angle measurement system of the present invention. This alternative embodiment is fundamentally identical to the embodiment represented schematically in <FIG>. The gauge assembly is shown viewed with the clamp arm <NUM> in the foreground. In this alternative embodiment the clamp arm <NUM> has an aperture through which the inertial measurement unit <NUM> is visible.

<FIG> shows a gas turbine engine variable vane gripped by the alternative embodiment of the gauge assembly of the compressor variable angle measurement system of the present invention shown in <FIG> but viewed from a different angle i.e. the baseplate <NUM> is in the foreground.

In certain embodiments the compressor variable angle measurement system includes a set of gauge assemblies, each being sized and configured for the variable vanes of a particular gas turbine engine. The set may, for example, consist of three gauge assemblies i.e. a large, an intermediate and a small gauge assembly.

In certain embodiments each gauge assembly in a set of gauge assemblies may differ only in size. In certain embodiments one or more of the gauge assemblies in a set of gauge assemblies may differ in construction.

In any case the gauge assembly <NUM>, or more particularly the inertial measurement unit <NUM> of the gauge assembly, is configured to make certain measurements that are communicated to the computing device <NUM> for analysis and display.

In some embodiments, such as that shown in <FIG>, the inertial measurement unit <NUM> is hard-wired to the computing device <NUM> by a detachable cable <NUM>, for example a conventional USB cable. In other embodiments the computing device is wirelessly connectable to the inertial measurement unit <NUM> via a suitable wireless technology, for example by Bluetooth® short-range wireless technology.

The computing device can be any device that can collect and analyse signals from the sensor module. In some embodiments the computing device is a tablet computer. The computing device is loaded with suitable software, for example a software application and a configuration file. This configuration file contains calibration parameters specific to the gauge assembly which is read by the application software upon initialisation. As the compressor variable angle measurement system is typically constructed to be portable within a maintenance location, the computing device is ideally constructed or protected to reasonably withstand such use.

In some embodiments the compressor variable angle measurement system comprises a kit that includes a set of gauge assemblies, a sensor module, and a computing device. The kit is supplied in a suitable case.

The compressor variable angle measurement system of the present invention is useful for measuring Variable Stator Vane (VSV) and Variable Inlet Guide Vane (VIGV) stagger angles in gas turbine engine compressors. It can, for example generate, accurate (e.g. +/-<NUM> degrees) aerodynamic stagger angles for compressor blading.

High pressure ratio axial compressors require variable geometry (angle) vanes in the front stages to unload the blades aerodynamically at low power to avoid compressor stall / surge. The vanes open gradually as the power and speed of the compressor rise and critically affect both surge margin and efficiency of the machine. Knowing the angle/positioning of variable vanes is important to understanding and controlling compressor and engine performance.

The compressor variable angle measurement system facilitates data of sufficient fidelity to allow engine design to be modified to realise fuel burn and noise benefits. The application of data at the level of fidelity afforded by the system makes the system particularly useful. That is because, the current understanding of variable vane angles relies on a statistical approach to allow for tolerance stack ups between the outside of the engine where the actuation system is typically located and the vane aerodynamic surfaces. There are many line items and the resultant uncertainty can be high. However by measuring the actual aerodynamic surface orientations this can be significantly reduced. With the benefit of such data, the aerodynamic design of the compressor can be improved because of the higher confidence that design intent will be met in reality i.e. less margin required. This extends to transient performance as well as steady state, transient performance being important during, for e.g., engine acceleration scenarios such as go-around scenarios at approach in cases of rejected landings. Such can now be faster which is safer, or trade for noise because the aircraft can be now on a steeper approach glide path and thus generally further from the ground during approach.

A method of positioning variable vanes in a compressor of a gas turbine engine will now be described that involves employing the compressor variable angle measurement system of the present invention.

The method involves removably gripping a variable vane <NUM> of a compressor of a gas turbine engine within a gauge assembly <NUM> of the compressor variable angle measurement system.

In the first step, step (a) of the method, a variable vane of the compressor is removably gripped within a gauge assembly <NUM> of the compressor variable angle measurement system <NUM> of the present invention.

In step (a) the between the variable vane <NUM> is located on the first trailing edge vane engaging portion <NUM> and second trailing edge vane engaging portion <NUM> of the baseplate and gripped between the at least three vane contact portions <NUM> of the baseplate and the at least one vane contact portion <NUM> of the clamp arm.

In the second step, step (b) of the method, the radial setting pin <NUM> is brought into contact with the penny that supports the variable vane. As explained above, the radial setting pin is used to set the gauge assembly at a consistent height along the variable vane.

In the third step, step (c) of the method, the position of the variable vane is measured with respect to the radial setting pin.

For example, the software captures the output of the inertial measurement unit (IMU) when the user is satisfied the gauge is fitted correctly to the variable vane and initiates the recording process via the computing device (e.g. an industrial tablet computer) that contains the software, calibrations and user interface. The software proses the raw digital data into a vane angle that is to a consistent definition as the design mechanical drawings and aerodynamic design intent. The data may be stored on the tablet for each variable vane of a variable vane stage set for later retrieval and analysis. Measurements made by the inertial measurement unit <NUM> of the gauge assembly are communicated to the computing device <NUM> for analysis and display.

In the fourth step, step (c) of the method, the position of the variable vane is adjusted to a desired position.

Claim 1:
A compressor variable angle measurement system (<NUM>) for guiding the positioning variable vanes (<NUM>) supported on a penny of a compressor (<NUM>, <NUM>) of a gas turbine engine (<NUM>), the compressor variable angle measurement system comprising a gauge assembly (<NUM>) that is connectable to a computing device (<NUM>);
the compressor variable angle measurement system is characterised in that the gauge assembly comprises:
a baseplate (<NUM>) that has a first section (<NUM>) and a second section (<NUM>), the first section (<NUM>) having a first trailing edge vane engaging portion (<NUM>), a second trailing edge vane engaging portion (<NUM>), at least three vane contact portions (<NUM>), and a radial setting pin (<NUM>), the second section (<NUM>) having an inertial measurement unit (<NUM>), the radial setting pin being configured to contact the penny that supports the vane; and
a clamp arm (<NUM>) that is pivotally attached to the baseplate and has a first section (<NUM>) that has at least one vane contact portion (<NUM>), the first section of the clamp arm being spring urged towards the first section of the baseplate;
the gauge assembly being configured to removably grip a variable vane between the vane contact portions (<NUM>) of the baseplate and the at least one vane contact portion (<NUM>) of the clamp arm and on the first trailing edge vane engaging portion (<NUM>) and the second trailing edge vane engaging portion (<NUM>) of the base plate, the stagger angle of the variable vane with respect to the radial setting pin (<NUM>) being determined by the computing device (<NUM>) from measurements made by the inertial measurement unit (<NUM>).