VARIABLE PITCH FAN THRUST REVERSER

Abstract

A ducted gas turbine engine comprising a fan and a guide vane downstream of the fan, wherein the fan is a Variable Pitch Fan (VPF) configured to operate in a first position for generating forward thrust and a second position for generating reverse thrust; wherein a duct wall positioned radially outside the Variable Pitch Fan comprises one or more vents extending through the duct wall, and wherein each vent is located forward of the guide vane.

Claims

1. A ducted gas turbine engine comprising a fan and a guide vane downstream of the fan, wherein the fan is a Variable Pitch Fan (VPF) configured to operate in a first position for generating forward thrust and a second position for generating reverse thrust; wherein a duct wall positioned radially outside the Variable Pitch Fan comprises one or more vents extending through the duct wall, and wherein each vent is located adjacent to, or downstream of the VPF and forward of the guide vane.

2. A ducted gas turbine engine according to claim 1, wherein the VPF is provided by a plurality of aerofoils circumferentially arranged around an axis and each aerofoil has a leading edge, a trailing edge and an blade tip with an axial extent, wherein the vent has an opening in the duct wall that is located adjacent the VPF.

3. A ducted gas turbine engine according to claim 1, wherein the vent has an opening in the duct wall that is axially positioned adjacent a leading edge of an aerofoil.

4. A ducted gas turbine engine according to claim 2, wherein the fan has an inlet area and the combined flow area of the vents is greater than 1% but no more than 10% of the fan inlet area.

5. A ducted gas turbine engine according to claim 1, wherein the vents comprise an axially forward lean.

6. A ducted gas turbine engine according to claim 1, wherein the vents (506) comprise a circumferential lean.

7. A ducted gas turbine engine according to claim 1, wherein each vent comprises at least one valve member (524, 526) that is configured to move from an open position when the engine operates in thrust reverse mode and a closed position when the engine does not operate in thrust reverse mode.

8. A ducted gas turbine engine according to claim 7, wherein the at least one valve member is located at a radially inner surface of the duct wall.

9. A ducted gas turbine engine according to claim 7, wherein the at least one valve member is located at a radially outer surface of the duct wall.

10. A ducted gas turbine engine comprising a fan and a guide vane downstream of the fan, wherein the fan is a Variable Pitch Fan (VPF) configured to operate in a first position for generating forward thrust and a second position for generating reverse thrust; wherein a duct wall positioned radially outside the Variable Pitch Fan comprises one or more vents extending through the duct wall, and wherein the fan has an inlet area and the combined flow area of the vents is greater than 1% but no more than 10% of the fan inlet area.

11. A ducted gas turbine according to claim 10, wherein each vent is located adjacent to, or downstream of the VPF and forward of the guide vane.

12. A ducted gas turbine engine according to claim 10, wherein the VPF is provided by a plurality of aerofoils circumferentially arranged around an axis and each aerofoil has a leading edge, a trailing edge and an blade tip with an axial extent, wherein the vent has an opening in the duct wall that is located adjacent the VPF.

13. A ducted gas turbine engine according to claim 10, wherein the vent has an opening in the duct wall that is axially positioned adjacent a leading edge of an aerofoil.

14. A ducted gas turbine engine according to claim 10, wherein the vents comprise an axially forward lean.

15. A ducted gas turbine engine according to claim 10, wherein the vents (506) comprise a circumferential lean.

16. A ducted gas turbine engine according to claim 10, wherein each vent comprises at least one valve member (524, 526) that is configured to move from an open position when the engine operates in thrust reverse mode and a closed position when the engine does not operate in thrust reverse mode.

17. A ducted gas turbine engine according to claim 16, wherein the at least one valve member is located at a radially inner surface of the duct wall.

18. A ducted gas turbine engine according to claim 16, wherein the at least one valve member is located at a radially outer surface of the duct wall.

19. A method of operating a ducted gas turbine engine comprising a fan and a guide vane downstream of the fan, wherein the fan is a Variable Pitch Fan (VPF) configured to operate in a first position for generating forward thrust and a second position for generating reverse thrust; wherein a duct wall positioned radially outside the Variable Pitch Fan comprises one or more vents extending through the duct wall, and wherein each vent is located adjacent to, or downstream of the VPF and forward of the guide vane; the method comprising rotating the Variable Pitch Fan (VPF) whilst the it is in its first configuration and moving the Variable Pitch Fan to its second configuration.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein in a first configuration the vents are closed and in the second configuration the vents are open and there is a flow of air therethrough.

Description

[0033] Embodiments will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the Figures, in which:

[0034] FIG. 1 is a sectional side view of a gas turbine engine;

[0035] FIG. 2 is a known mechanical arrangement for a geared fan gas turbine engine.

[0036] FIG. 3 is an arrangement for an epicyclic gearbox for a geared fan gas turbine engine.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a schematic of a gas turbine having a VPF and a channel at the fan tip to increase thrust reverse capability.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a cross-section through the gas turbine of FIG. 4.

[0039] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a channel detailed in the gas turbine of FIG. 4.

[0040] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the channel detailed in the cross-section of FIG. 5.

[0041] FIG. 8 is a schematic of the thrust reverser flows generated by a VPF in a conventional gas turbine.

[0042] FIG. 9 is a schematic of the thrust reverser flows generated by a VPF in the gas turbine of FIGS. 4 to 7.

[0043] FIG. 10 is a schematic of a thrust reverser flows in a further embodiment of the gas turbine.

[0044] FIG. 11 depicts the thrust reverser flows in an embodiment of the engine not forming part of the invention.

[0045] FIG. 1 illustrates a gas turbine engine 10 having a principal rotational axis 9. The engine 10 comprises an air intake 12 and a propulsive fan 23 that generates two airflows A and B. The gas turbine engine 10 comprises a core engine 11 having, in axial flow A, a low pressure compressor 14, a high-pressure compressor 15, combustion equipment 16, a high-pressure turbine 17, a low pressure turbine 19 and a core exhaust nozzle 20. A nacelle 21 surrounds the gas turbine engine 10 and defines, in axial flow B, a bypass duct 22 and a bypass exhaust nozzle 18. The fan 23 is attached to and driven by the low pressure turbine 19 via shaft 26 and epicyclic gearbox 30.

[0046] The gas turbine engine 10 works in a conventional manner with air in the core airflow A being accelerated and compressed by the low pressure compressor 14 and directed into the high pressure compressor 15 where further compression takes place. The compressed air exhausted from the high pressure compressor 15 is directed into the combustion equipment 16 where it is mixed with fuel and the mixture is combusted. The resultant hot combustion products then expand through, and thereby drive the high pressure and low pressure turbines 17, 19 before being exhausted through the nozzle 20 to provide some propulsive thrust. The high pressure turbine 17 drives the high pressure compressor 15 by a suitable interconnecting shaft. The fan 23 generally provides the majority of the propulsive thrust. The epicyclic gearbox 30 is a reduction gearbox.

[0047] A known mechanical arrangement for a geared fan gas turbine engine 10 is shown in FIG. 2. The low pressure turbine 19 drives the shaft 26, which is coupled to a sun wheel, or sun gear, 28 of the epicyclic gear arrangement 30. Radially outwardly of the sun gear 28 and intermeshing therewith, in a conventional manner, is a plurality of planet gears 32 that are coupled together by a planet carrier 34. The planet carrier 34 constrains the planet gears 32 to precess around the sun gear 28 in synchronicity whilst enabling each planet gear 32 to rotate about its own axis. The planet carrier 34 is coupled via linkages 36 to the fan 23 in order to drive its rotation about the engine axis 9. Radially outwardly of the planet gears 32 and intermeshing therewith is an annulus or ring gear 38 that is coupled, via linkages 40, to a stationary supporting structure 24.

[0048] The epicyclic gearbox 30 is of the planetary type, in that the planet carrier 34 rotates about the sun gear 28 and is coupled to an output shaft via linkages 36. In other applications the gearbox 30 may be a differential gearbox in which the ring gear 38 also rotates in the opposite sense and is coupled to a different output shaft via linkages 40.

[0049] An epicyclic gearbox 30 must be lubricated, by oil or another fluid. However, the oil becomes heated by being worked during operation of the epicyclic gearbox 30. Furthermore, the oil may accumulate particulate debris from the components of the epicyclic gearbox 30 which may cause seizing or other problems. It is therefore necessary to eject the oil efficiently from the epicyclic gearbox 30 to allow its replacement by spraying in fresh, cool oil. Ejection of the oil, particularly when it is collected for cleaning before being returned to the reservoir from which fresh oil is supplied, is referred to as oil scavenge.

[0050] A typical arrangement of the epicyclic gearbox is shown in FIG. 3. Each of the sun gear 28, planet gears 32 and ring gear 38 comprise teeth about their periphery to intermesh with the other gears. However, for clarity only exemplary portions of the teeth are illustrated in FIG. 3. There are four planet gears 32 illustrated, although it will be apparent to the skilled reader that more or fewer planet gears 32 may be provided within the scope of the claimed invention. Practical applications of a planetary epicyclic gearbox 30 generally comprise at least three planet gears 32.

[0051] Additionally or alternatively the gearbox may drive additional and/or alternative components (e.g. the intermediate pressure compressor and/or a booster compressor, propeller (aero or hydro), or electrical generator). Additionally or alternatively such engines may have an alternative number of compressors and/or turbines and/or an alternative number of interconnecting shafts.

[0052] FIG. 4 depicts a schematic of a ducted fan gas turbine engine having a Variable Pitch Fan (VPF) 501, an Outlet Guide Vane (OGV) 503 and an engine core splitter 502. These components are well known in the field of gas turbines so won't be discussed in detail with the exception that, as known in the art, the VPF may be rotated both around the axis of the engine and each blade forming the VPF may also be rotated around an individual blade axis to adjust its pitch and thus the aerodynamic function of the VPF.

[0053] In a first configuration of the fan blades the VPF generates substantially forward thrust directing air flow through a duct 508 bypassing the engine core. In a second configuration of the fan blades the VPF generates substantially reverse thrust.

[0054] A fan-tip flow channel 506 is provided in the vicinity of the fan-tips and preferably at the leading edge of the fan tip and is actuable between a closed and open position. In normal operation of the engine when thrust reverse is not required the flow channel is closed and is opened when thrust reverse is desired. In the open position the channel provides a path between the fan tip and the nacelle outer surface.

[0055] In the embodiment shown the flow channel 506 has a forward lean such that in use the air-flow within the channel during thrust reverse mode has both a forward component and a radial component. Whilst it is possible to dispense with the forward lean this will affect the impact of the flow channel on the thrust reverse performance of the engine.

[0056] The axial position of the channel inlet is preferably in the vicinity of the fan tip and preferably at the leading edge. However, improvements in the thrust reverse capabilities of the VPF over conventional architectures can be observed when the channel inlet is upstream of the OGV.

[0057] As seen in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 looking from the front of the engine there are a plurality of flow channels 506 arranged around the circumference of the nacelle. In the embodiment shown the passages have a circumferential lean in the direction of rotation of the VPF in order to facilitate a smoother flow of air into each channel. It is possible to dispense with the circumferential lean or even angle the channels circumferentially in the opposite direction however this will affect the impact of the flow channel on the thrust reverse performance of the engine. Whilst each channel is shown to be spaced equally from an adjacent channel around the circumference it should be understood that the circumferential spacing may vary between channels.

[0058] In the embodiment of FIG. 5 one or more vanes are provided within each flow-channel 506 to help direct the air during the thrust-reverse mode. Advantageously, the flow can be conditioned to reduce the amount of swirl on the exterior of the nacelle. During the aircraft landing run, the external reverse flow over the nacelle surface has a residual swirl component because the reverse stream develops through the rotating VPF passages and subsequently interacts with the free stream. This swirl can generate undesirable lateral airframe forces.

[0059] The vanes within the flow channel may also help define the structural integrity of the nacelle.

[0060] A more detailed view of one embodiment of the flow extraction channel design is shown with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. In FIG. 6, the front leading edge part of the fan shroud wall 520 is perforated to collect the flow in an annular chamber 522, located above a portion of the fan leading edge to avoid interference with the fan containment structure design. The design of the perforations and annular chamber may also be optimized for forward flow operation to manage off-design performance and acoustic requirements. The flow extraction channel 506 communicates with the nacelle external surface through the outer tab 724 and with the annular chamber 522 through the inner tab 526. The tabs 524 and 526 are closed during forward flow operation and are actuated into open positions, by either a retracting, swivel or any other mechanism, during the reverse flow operation. Since these actuators operate on thin tab sections, it will only require low power to actuate and their weight is minimal. Each tab, both inner and outer, may be operated as a unitary component. The actuator (not shown in the figure) can be located in the nacelle intake region away from the flow extraction channel, so as not to interfere with the containment structure design.

[0061] The extraction channel, being located near the fan leading edge, is angled leaning towards the nacelle intake and this may reduce constraints on the containment structure design in certain configurations of an engine. In FIG. 6 the flow extraction channel is shown set at a 60° axial angle leaning towards the nacelle intake. The angle is shown for representative purposes and can be optimized based on reverse thrust and structural requirements to be of any suitable value. It is generally preferred that the axial angle be leaning towards the intake to maximize the reverse thrust component

[0062] FIG. 7 shows the detailed front view of the extraction channel 506. The annular chamber 522 radially outside the fan leading edge, is fed by the perforated fan shroud wall 530. The tabs 524 and 526 are actuated to open position during the aircraft landing run to open the channel flow path. In the forward flow operation, the closed inner tab 804 prevents flow from entering the extraction channel, and causes the annular chamber 522 and the perforated shroud wall 520 to aid the forward flow behaviour of the fan.

[0063] The design of the aerofoil strut vane 528 in terms of the chord, flow deflection and profile definition may be optimized based on the flow swirl that need to be imparted to the channel flow and from structural integrity requirements. The flow channel extraction area can be optimized based on the reverse thrust requirements, with the typical preferred area being 10% of the fan inlet area. Based on the flow channel extraction area, the dimensions of the channel may also be calculated. The axial fan-relative placement of the porous shroud wall and the annular chamber, the depth of the annular chamber, and the perforation design of the porous wall may be optimized primarily from fan forward flow requirements. The reverse thrust behaviour is not significantly affected by these parameters, which provides considerable freedom for optimization of the geometry from forward flow considerations. The actuation and mechanical design schematics of the flow extraction channel may be finalized based on the space and packing requirements. Alternatively, it might also be possible that the inner tab 526 be removed and the entire flow channel actuation be driven by a blow-out door in the place of the outer tab 524

[0064] FIG. 8 depicts the streamlines of the gas turbine engine operating in thrust reverse mode where the vents are either not present, or in their closed position. This provides a baseline configuration that will be used to explain some of the benefits of the claimed invention.

[0065] In the configuration of FIG. 8, showing the engine operating in reverse flow mode, the reverse flow 901 is radially centrifuged outwards 901a towards the nacelle within the VPF 904 aerofoil passages, subsequently it flows forward 901b toward the nacelle intake and is washed down towards the engine exit by the free stream 901c.

[0066] A part of the radially centrifuged flow, turns back 902 and flows rearward towards the bypass nozzle exit 905. Although the turned back flow 902 eventually loses momentum and re-joins the reverse flow 903 developing from the bypass nozzle exit 905 it imposes an unfavourable pressure gradient and blockage to the development of reverse flow 903 into the engine.

[0067] The temperature of the flow 902 is higher than the free-stream flow of air outside the engine as it has picked up heat from the engine core. As it reverses forward and it is at a relative high temperature which can generate significant thermal stress on the bypass nozzle walls 908. The free stream air entrained by the reverse stream 901 at the nacelle intake is shown by 906.

[0068] The undesirable physical flow mechanisms in the baseline configuration are manipulated to improve the reverse thrust behaviour in the fan tip flow extraction embodiment as shown in FIG. 9. As in the baseline configuration, the reverse flow 903 is ingested into the engine from the bypass exit 905 and develops towards the VPF passages. However, the radially centrifuged flow in the VPF passages 901, is now additionally extracted out to the engine external regions 920 through the extraction channel 506 as shown by flow-line 922. Since the centrifuged flow is pressurized within the rotating VPF, a large proportion of the flow 922 is extracted from the channel, which in turn reduces the amount of turned back flow 902 at the VPF outlet towards the bypass exit 904. Therefore, the turned back flow 902 has lower momentum in the modified design, and immediately rolls back to rejoin the reverse flow 903 from the bypass exit 905. The reduction in the extent occupied by the turned back flow 902 improves the back pressure to the reverse flow 903 development and consequently leads to an increase in the amount of reverse flow ingested from the bypass exit 905, as compared to the baseline configuration. The increased reverse flow 903, feeds the channel extracted flow 922, and the reverse flow 901 out of the VPF inlet towards the nacelle intake. The washed down reverse stream from the nacelle lip is lifted away from the nacelle external surface 920 by the channel extracted flow 922. Consequently, a large re-circulation region 926 is developed around the engine external surface. The re-circulation region increases the amount of slower moving fluid in the engine exit regions, which when impacted by the fan suction, further increases the amount of reverse flow 903 into the engine at the bypass exit 905.

[0069] The free stream entrained by the reverse flow out of the VPF inlet is shown by flow line 906. Additionally, the swirl imparted to the channel extracted flow 922 by the aerofoil strut vanes counteract the swirl in the washed down reverse stream from the nacelle lip and eliminates undesirable airframe lateral forces.

[0070] The combined effect of increased reverse stream mass flow and the additional drag because of the lift up of reverse flow streamlines with a large recirculation region, is observed to increase the airframe decelerating force by more than 30%. Moreover, since the reverse flow streamlines spread around the engine and have a particular nullifying swirl angle imparted by the aerofoil vane struts in the channel, the decelerating force does not have any undesirable lateral force component.

[0071] The lower volumes of the turned back flow 902 in the fan tip flow extraction design, reduces the temperature of the bypass nozzle wall structures and consequently improves the engine thermal state during the landing run.

[0072] The total area of the inlet to the flow channels is preferably below 15% of the fan inlet area and more preferably below 10% of the fan inlet area. At high relative areas a significant proportion of the inlet free stream flow will exit through the flow channels thereby reducing the blocking effect and the amount of the free stream air 906 turned back at the inlet. This is detrimental to the creation of thrust reverse air 903 entering the engine at the exhaust nozzle 905.

[0073] In the embodiment of FIG. 10 the vent is provided forward of the guide vane and rearward of the fan. The reverse flow 901 is radially centrifuged outwards towards the nacelle within the VPF aerofoil passages before flowing forward toward the nacelle intake and is subsequently washed down towards the engine exit by the free stream.

[0074] Momentum reduction caused by the air exiting through the vent 904 means that the reverse air entering through the exhaust causes the rearward flow of air to occupy a reduced axial extent along the engine. This reduction in the momentum and reduced length of the recirculation region 908 presents a more favourable pressure gradient to the reverse flow entering the engine.

[0075] This facilitates an increase in the amount of reverse flow ingested from the bypass nozzle exit, as compared to a conventional configuration. Moreover, since the high temperature turned back flow 902 is vented out, the thermal state of the components in the bypass nozzle walls is less significant.

[0076] The total vent area is preferably less than 10% of the fan inlet area as at values above this number there may be a detrimental effect that offsets the hitherto assumed belief that openings downstream of the VPF would admit additional flow into the VPF and improve its reverse thrust behaviour.

[0077] As shown within the streamlines of FIG. 11, at vent areas that are significantly greater than 10%, i.e. greater than 15%, a substantial proportion of the turned back flow portion 901d of the centrifuged reverse flow within the passages of the VPF escapes through the auxiliary vent openings 912. Therefore, only a very small amount of the centrifuged reverse flow with low momentum manages to flow out towards the nacelle intake 901. At forward speed conditions, the reverse stream flow towards the nacelle intake is completely suppressed by the free stream flow 906 entering the nacelle intake. The dominance of the free stream 906 in the nacelle intake further skews the pressure gradient in such a manner that more flow 901d escapes out through the auxiliary opening 912. The flow 901d escaping through the auxiliary opening entrains the reverse flow that has not reached the VPF passages 910 and causes it to also flow out through the vent.

[0078] The shear layer because of the escaping flows 901d and 910 through the auxiliary opening 912 prevents the VPF suction from being felt at the engine exit. Consequently, there is a large reduction in the reverse flow 903 entering into the engine at the bypass nozzle exit. Therefore, a combination of reduction in reverse flow out of the nacelle inlet and the reverse flow entering the bypass nozzle exit, significantly reduces the amount of reverse thrust achieved in the engine.

[0079] The claimed invention may also be applicable to two-shaft, or three-shaft non-geared turbine engines in addition to geared gas turbine engines.

[0080] It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments above-described and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concepts described herein. Except where mutually exclusive, any of the features may be employed separately or in combination with any other features and the disclosure extends to and includes all combinations and sub-combinations of one or more features described herein.