Variable-pitch vane

Abstract

A variable-pitch vane including a plurality of propeller blades (2). Each blade has a variable pitch according to a blade rotational axis (A1) and a root (201). A plurality of rotor connecting shafts (6), each shaft having a foot (602) and a head (601). The root (201) of each blade is mounted on the head (601) of a rotor connecting shaft via a pivot (8) in such a way as to allow each blade (2) to rotate according to the blade rotational axis (A1), in which each blade (2) has a blade pitch, such that the blade rotational axis (A1) is inclined relative to a radial axis (A2) passing through the foot (602) of the corresponding shaft.

Claims

1. Variable-pitch blading including: a plurality of propeller blades, each with variable pitch about a blade axis of rotation (A.sub.1) and each having a root, a plurality of rotor connecting shafts, each shaft having a root and a head, the root of each blade being assembled on the head of a rotor connecting shaft via a pivot so as to allow rotation of each blade about the blade axis of rotation (A.sub.1), wherein each blade has a blade inclination such that its blade axis of rotation (A.sub.1) is inclined with respect to a radial axis (A.sub.2) running through the root of the corresponding shaft, and in that the inclination of the blade includes a tangent inclination component () in a plane of a propeller.

2. The blading according to claim 1, wherein a tangential inclination angle toward an extrados is comprised between 5 and 15.

3. The blading according to claim 1, wherein the blade inclination includes an upstream or downstream inclination component with respect to the plane of the propeller.

4. The blading according to claim 3, wherein the upstream inclination component is between 0 and 2.

5. The blading according to claim 1, wherein each shaft is inclined with respect to the radial axis (A.sub.2), inclining the corresponding blade by the blade inclination.

6. The blading according to claim 1, wherein the head of each shaft has an articulation inclining the head of the shaft with respect to the rest of the shaft, and thus inclining the corresponding blade by the blade inclination.

7. The blading according to claim 6, wherein the articulation includes a bellows.

8. The blading according to claim 6, wherein the articulation includes a universal joint.

9. A turbomachine including a blading according to claim 1.

10. A turbomachine including two counter-rotating variable-pitch bladings, each according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) Other features and advantages of the invention will appear during the description hereafter of an embodiment. In the appended drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 is a partial representation of a blading of the prior art;

(3) FIG. 2 is a partial representation of a turbomachine in which the blading can be integrated;

(4) FIG. 3a is a schematic representation of a tangent blade inclination in the plane of the propeller of a blading;

(5) FIG. 3b is a graphic representation of the progression of the restoring moment as a function of the pitch for different values of the tangent inclination of the blade;

(6) FIG. 4a is a graphic representation of the height of the blade as a function of the quarter-chord sweep of the leading edge at the blade head, the sweep being expressed in degrees and the height normalized to the outer radius (equal to 0 on the engine axis and equal to 1 at the blade head), for different values of the upstream-downstream tilt inclination component;

(7) FIG. 4b is a graphic representation of the height of the blade as a function of the quarter-chord sweep of the leading edge at the blade head, the sweep being expressed in degrees and the height normalized to the outer radius for different values of the tangent tilt inclination component;

(8) FIG. 5a is a graphic representation of the height of the blade as a function of the rake of the blade, the rake being expressed in degrees and the height normalized to the outer radius, for different values of the upstream-downstream tilt inclination component;

(9) FIG. 5b is a graphic representation of the height of the blade as a function of the rake of the blade, the rake being expressed in degrees and the height being normalized to the outer radius, for different values of the tangent inclination component;

(10) FIG. 5c is a graphic representation of the height of the blade as a function of the rake of the blade, the rake being expressed in degrees and the height being normalized to the outer radius, for an inclination of the blade including an upstream inclination component and a tangent inclination component;

(11) FIG. 6 shows a detail of a blading including an inclined connecting shaft according to one embodiment of the invention;

(12) FIG. 7 shows a detail of a blading including a bellows according to another embodiment of the invention;

(13) FIG. 8 shows a detail of a blading including a universal joint according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(14) Turbomachine

(15) Referring to FIG. 2, a portion of the turbomachine 12 has been shown including a fan 3, wherein the vanes or blades 2 belong to two counter-rotating propellers. This is for example a turbomachine of the open rotor or unducted fan type.

(16) Conventionally, a flow of air which enters the turbomachine 12 is compressed, then is mixed with fuel and burned in a combustion chamber, the combustion gases allowing the rotor 5 to be driven in rotation.

(17) The rotor 5 then has a rotary motion about a longitudinal axis A.sub.3 of the fan 3, which is transmitted to the blades 2 for driving them in rotation about a longitudinal axis A.sub.3.

(18) Blading

(19) Variable Pitch

(20) Referring to FIGS. 6 to 8, the blading of blades 2 according to the invention is described.

(21) As stated previously, the geometric pitch is the angle formed by the chord of the profile of a blade 2 and the plane of rotation of the corresponding propeller 4. Hereafter only the term pitch will be used as it is generally used in the prior art.

(22) Note that pitch is an algebraic value. For example, a pitch of 90 corresponds to a pitch for which the leading edge of the blade 2 is located to the rear.

(23) The pitch of the blades 2 of the propeller is adapted to flight conditions: on the ground, for example, pitch is close to 10, at takeoff, between 35 and 45, and in climb, between 45 and 60. At cruise, the pitch is nearly 65.

(24) 90 pitch is conventionally called the feather position by the person skilled in the art; 0 pitch is the flat position and 30 pitch is the reverse position (this position makes it possible to brake the aircraft).

(25) The blading includes a plurality of blades 2 of a blading. Each 25 blade 2 has variable pitch on a blade axis of rotation A1. Each blade 2 has a root 201.

(26) The blading has a plurality of rotor connecting shafts 6. Each connecting shaft 6 is designed so that its rotation modifies the pitch of one of the blades 2. Each connecting shaft 6 has a root 602 and a head 601. The shafts 6 are for example positioned in a rotating casing arm 702, 7 between a duct coming from the turbine 701 and a duct directed toward the nozzle 703.

(27) Conventionally, the blade 2 is connected to the corresponding connecting shaft 6 by a dedicated pivot 8 so as to allow the rotation of each blade 2 about the axis of rotation A.sub.1 of blade 2. The pivot 8 can include counterweights 801. Thus the root 201 of the blade 2 can be accommodated in the pivot 8. The pivots 8 are for example mounted in an axisymmetric ring 802 having a plurality of substantially cylindrical radial recesses, this ring 802 being generally called the polygonal ring. Ball bearings 803 positioned between the polygonal ring 802 and the pivot 8 allow the pivot 8 to maintain a degree of freedom with respect to the polygonal ring 802.

(28) The device also includes parts capable of being displaced jointly in an axial direction so as to bring about the rotation of the connecting shaft 6. The parts include generally a link 9, of which one end is connected to the connecting shaft 6. Each link 9 is connected to a connecting shaft 6 of a blade 2.

(29) The device 1 can further include at least one jack (not shown) controlling the displacement of the link 9 in the axial direction.

(30) The pitch of the blade 2 can be modified by the axial extension of the link of the jack, which acts on the link 9 in axial translation.

(31) Blade Inclination

(32) Each blade 2 has a blade inclination, each blade axis of rotation A.sub.1 being inclined relative to a radial axis A.sub.2, the radial axis A.sub.2 passing by the root 602 of the corresponding shaft 6.

(33) As illustrated in FIG. 3a, the inclination of the blade can include a tangent inclination component in the plane of the propeller. In this manner, the center of gravity of the blade 2 is found to be noticeably eccentric with respect to the corresponding radial axis A.sub.2 and with respect to the propeller axis A.sub.3. The restoring moment under centrifugal force of a blade 2 of a blading according to the prior art includes only the product of inertia. Due to the inclination of the blade 2, the restoring moment includes several linearly combined terms, involving the tangent inclination component and an upstream or downstream inclination component , and now depends on the mass and on the position of the center of gravity of the blade 2. It is thus possible to improve the mechanical performance of the blades 2 and therefore of the blading by inclining tangentially the blades 2. It is for example possible to install a more effective counterweight 801 because the radius of its center of gravity, that is the distance of its center of gravity from the engine axis about which the blading is driven, will vary as a function of pitch.

(34) By convention, is considered positive for an upstream upstream-downstream tilt and positive for a tangent tilt in the direction defined by the rotation of the propeller, that is toward the intrados.

(35) Thus FIG. 3b shows the evolution of the restoring moment as a function of pitch for different values of a purely tangent inclination of the blade . Absent an inclination of the blade, a stable equilibrium position is still observed at 0, and an unstable equilibrium at 90, the negative extreme being situated at about 45. It is observed that a tangential inclination angle of 10 with respect to the direction defined by the counter-clockwise rotation of the propeller in FIG. 3b makes it possible to reduce by a factor of around two the absolute value of the negative extreme of the restoring moment of the blade.

(36) The mechanical performance can also be improved by an inclination of the blade including an upstream or downstream inclination component a with respect to the plane of the propeller.

(37) Moreover, the blading is brought to operate under varied aerodynamic conditions depending on flight conditions such as takeoff, climb or cruise. It is known that these different flight conditions imply different blading geometries.

(38) Pitch variation by rotation of the blade 2 only with the axis of rotation A.sub.1 as described in the prior art, limits the possibilities of compromise on a blading geometry adapted to the different flight conditions.

(39) The introduction of a blade inclination also makes it possible to improve the aerodynamic performance of the blading. The inclination of the blade makes it possible to improve the pitch variation between the root 201 of the blade and a head of the blade 2.

(40) For example, with reference to FIGS. 4a and 4b, the inclination of the blade makes it possible to vary the sweep of the blade as a function of flight conditions. FIG. 4a represents the height of the blade as a function of the quarter-chord leading edge sweep at the head of the blade during passage from the point in the drawing corresponding to max-climb to the takeoff condition, the sweep being expressed in degrees and the height normalized to the outer radius for different values of the upstream-downstream tilt inclination component . For =5, an additional sweep of 2 is observed.

(41) FIG. 4b represents the height of the blade as a function of the quarter-chord sweep of the leading edge at the head of the blade during passage from the point in the drawing corresponding to max-climb to the takeoff conditions, the sweep being expressed in degrees and the height normalized to the outer radius for different values of the tangent inclination component or extrados-intrados inclination. It is noted that an upstream-downstream tilt inclination component of 10 allows a supplementary sweep of 2.

(42) For example, with reference to FIGS. 5a and 5b, the inclination of the blade makes it possible to vary rake over the span of the blade as a function of flight conditions. FIG. 5a shows the height of the blade as a function of rake of the blade during passage from the point in the drawing corresponding to max climb to the takeoff condition, rake being expressed in degrees and the height normalized to outer radius for different values of the upstream-downstream tilt inclination component . An increase in the rake at the head at takeoff is noted when is positive. In particular, for =5, an excess rake of 0.1 is noted.

(43) FIG. 5b shows the height of the blade depending on the rake of the blade during passage from the point in the drawing corresponding to max climb to the takeoff condition, rake being expressed in degrees and height normalized to the outer radius, for different values of the tangent inclination component or extrados-intrados tilt inclination. An increase in rake at the head at takeoff is noted when is negative. In particular, for =10, an excess rake of 0.5 is noted.

(44) The inclination of the blade thus makes it possible to accentuate the differences between the root and the head of the blade, for example by increasing rake at the head level while retaining rake at the belly or center of the blade, which drives back the separation limit at the blade head at takeoff and favors stability of the blading, as well as its acoustic performance. Inclination of the blade also makes it possible to modify apparent swirl parameters.

(45) Thus, in the context of a an aerodynamic design process for a variable-pitch blading, excess rake at the head is sought at takeoff compared to the max-climb condition, so as to reduce angle of attack at the head at takeoff. Here the purpose is to improve acoustic conditions, for example by limitation of separation and/or vortex generation, or by reduction in aerodynamic loading. Such an excess rake is sought by modifying parameters and , particularly in the case where is negative and is positive. The progression linked to the tangent inclination is given priority because its effect is greater than that of upstream or downstream inclination . Referring to FIG. 5c, representing the height of the blade as a function of the rake of the blade, rake being expressed in degrees and the height normalized to the outer radius, for a blade inclination consisting of an upstream inclination component having an angle of 0.9 and a tangent inclination component having an angle of 10, an excess rake at the head of 0.5 is noted, as well as an increase in sweep on the order of about 2. It is thus possible to push back the separation limit during the takeoff phase.

(46) Such an increase in rake certainly involves a reduction in lift of 1.5%, but also allows a 3% reduction in drag. Moreover, increasing sweep involves a reduction of 2.5% in lift, but allows a reduction of 5% in drag. Thus such an inclination of the blade allows a drag reduction of 8% for a reduction in lift of 4%. Drag is thus reduced more than lift, which allows an improvement in performance of the blading.

(47) The effect of such sweep on stability is negligible with regard to the amplitudes considered.

(48) Such an inclination of the blades also makes it possible to divide by two the mass of the counterweights 801 needed for the blades 2.

(49) Such advantages can be noted when the tangent inclination component has an angle comprised between 5 and 15, in particular when the upstream inclination component a is comprised between 0 and 2.

(50) The blade rotation axis A.sub.1 is typically inclined by a fixed value with respect to the radial axis A.sub.2. The tangent inclination component and/or the upstream or downstream inclination component can be fixed with respect to the radial axis A.sub.2. In other words, the inclination of each blade can be fixed with respect to the radial axis A.sub.2 so as to allow, during operation of the blading, rotation of the blade 2 only about the axis of rotation A.sub.1 of the blade 2, the axis of rotation A.sub.1 being thus inclined tangentially and/or upstream or downstream to a fixed value with respect to the radial axis A.sub.2. Thus, the blade 2 has only a single degree of freedom in rotation, that about the rotation axis A.sub.1, no rotation about the two other axes being possible.

(51) The tangent inclination component and/or the upstream or downstream inclination component , in other words the tangential inclination angle and the upstream or downstream inclination angle, are for example determined during design, and can therefore be frozen by the construction of the blading.

(52) During the design process, the combination of upstream inclination component and the tangent inclination component is determined so as to satisfy predetermined aero-acoustic and mechanical goals.

(53) This combination of an upstream inclination component and of a tangent inclination component , that is to say this combination of angles, is then applied for example to the ball bearings 803. The only degree of freedom remaining is then the angle of rotation of the blade about the axis which is defined by the ball bearing (and which is controlled by the pitch change command via the radial shaft). Angles and are for example frozen upon manufacture of the ring 802. As illustrated in FIG. 6, each connecting shaft 6 can be inclined with respect to the radial axis A.sub.2, thus inclining the corresponding blade according to the desired blade inclination. Such an implementation is particularly adapted for inclinations of which the tangent and upstream or downstream components do not exceed an absolute value of 5.

(54) The inclination of the connecting shaft 6 is for example a fixed inclination with respect to the radial axis A.sub.2, typically an inclination including a tangent component and/or the upstream or downstream inclination component fixed with respect to the radial axis A.sub.2.

(55) Alternatively or in addition, each connecting shaft 6 of the rotor can have an articulation inclining the head 601 of the shaft with respect to the rest of the shaft 6, and thus inclining the corresponding blade 2 according to the desired blade inclination.

(56) The articulation can maintain the head 601 of the shaft in a fixed inclination with regard to the radial axis A2, typically an inclination including a tangent component and/or the upstream or downstream inclination component fixed with respect to the radial axis A2.

(57) With reference to FIG. 7, such an articulation can include a bellows 10, for example a metallic bellows. Such a bellows 10 is designed to implement an inclination of the blades, the components whereof can have values of several degrees.

(58) With reference to FIG. 8, such an articulation can include a universal joint 11. Such a universal joint 11 is designed to implement an inclination whose components can have values of several tens of degrees.

(59) The turbomachine can thus include such variable-pitch blading. The turbomachine can in particular include two such assemblies of variable-pitch blading, the blading being counter-rotating blading for example.