Assembly

Abstract

A bladed rotor assembly includes a bladed rotor and a rotor housing. The bladed rotor has a plurality of blades arranged in a circumferential array around an axis of rotation, and the rotor housing encircles the bladed rotor and has a radially inwardly facing surface. Each of the blades comprises a first, radially extending, edge, a second opposite, radially extending, edge, and a radially distal edge. The radially distal edge has a first end, a second end, and a center portion, with the first end adjoining the first, radially extending, edge, and the second end adjoining the second, radially extending, edge. A clearance between the radially distal edge and the radially inwardly facing surface is a first clearance at the first end, and decreases to a second clearance across the center portion.

Claims

1. A bladed rotor assembly comprising: a bladed rotor having a plurality of blades arranged in a circumferential array around an axis of rotation; and a rotor housing encircling the bladed rotor, the housing having a radially inwardly facing surface; each of the blades comprising: a first, radially extending, edge; a second opposite, radially extending, edge; and a radially distal edge; the radially distal edge having a first end, a second end, and a center portion, the first end adjoining the first, radially extending, edge, and the second end adjoining the second, radially extending, edge; wherein a clearance between the radially distal edge and the radially inwardly facing surface is a first clearance at the first end, and decreases to a second clearance across the center portion, and wherein the radially inwardly facing surface is substantially lineal in an axial direction, and the radially distal edge is profiled in a direction from the first end to the second end.

2. The bladed rotor assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clearance between the radially distal edge and the radially inwardly facing surface is the first clearance at the first end, decreases to the second clearance across the center portion, and increases to a third clearance at the second end.

3. The bladed rotor assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transition from the first clearance to the second clearance is a monotonic decrease.

4. The bladed rotor assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the transition from the second clearance to the third clearance is a monotonic increase.

5. The bladed rotor assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transition from the first clearance to the second clearance is a nonlinear decrease.

6. The bladed rotor assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the transition from the second clearance to the third clearance is a nonlinear increase.

7. The bladed rotor assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the radially inwardly facing surface is formed from an abradable material.

8. A gas turbine engine comprising the bladed rotor assembly according to claim 1.

9. The bladed rotor assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first, radially extending, edge is spaced apart from the second, radially extending, edge in the axial direction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) There now follows a description of an embodiment of the invention, by way of non-limiting example, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of the influence of large and small initial fan blade tip clearances on the degradation of gas turbine airflow efficiency according the prior art;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a schematic part sectional view of a bladed rotor assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a schematic part sectional view of a bladed rotor assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a schematic part sectional view of a bladed rotor assembly according to a third embodiment of the invention;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a schematic part sectional view of a bladed rotor assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; and

(7) FIG. 6 shows a schematic sectional view of a gas turbine engine comprising a bladed rotor assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.

(8) It is noted that the drawings may not be to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the invention, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements between the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) Referring to FIG. 2, a bladed rotor assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 100. The bladed rotor assembly 100 comprises a bladed rotor 110 and a rotor housing 140.

(10) The bladed rotor 110 comprises a plurality of blades 120 arranged in a circumferential array around an axis of rotation 112. The rotor housing 140 encircles the bladed rotor 110 and comprises a radially inwardly facing surface 142.

(11) Each of the blades 120 comprises a first radially extending edge 122, an opposite second radially extending edge 124 and a radially distal edge 126. The radially distal edge 126 connects radially distal ends of the first radially extending edge 122 and the second radially extending edge 124.

(12) The radially distal edge 126 of each blade 120 comprises a first end 128, a second end 130 and a centre portion 132. The first end 128 of the radially distal edge 126 adjoins the first radially extending edge 122, while the second end 130 of the radially distal edge 126 adjoins the second radially extending edge 124. The centre portion 132 of the radially distal edge 126 separates the first end 128 from the second end 130.

(13) A clearance between the radially distal edge 126 and the radially inwardly facing surface 142 is a first clearance 134 at the first end 128, and decreases to a second clearance 136 across the centre portion 132.

(14) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the radially distal edge 126 of the blade 120 is substantially lineal while the radially inwardly facing surface 142 is profiled in the axial direction along the axis of rotation 112.

(15) The radially inwardly facing surface 142 is radially separated from the first end 128 of the radially distal edge 126 by the first clearance 134. In the axial direction the radially inwardly facing surface 142 is tapered in a radially inward direction such that at the junction between the first end 128 and the centre portion 132 of the radially distal edge 126, the clearance between the radially distal edge 126 of the blade 120 and the radially inwardly facing surface 142 of the rotor housing 140 has reduced to a second clearance 136. This second clearance 136 is maintained across the length of the centre portion 132, and the remainder of the radially distal edge 126 of the blade 120.

(16) The second clearance 136 is dimensioned such that when the rotor assembly is operating at a predetermined speed and temperature there may be contact between the radially distal edge 126 of the blade 120 and the radially inwardly facing surface 142 of the rotor housing 140.

(17) The transition from the first clearance 134 to the second clearance 136 is a linear transition. In other arrangements, this transition may comprise a nonlinear transition. Alternatively, this transition may comprise two or more linear and/or nonlinear transitions.

(18) In use, as the radially distal edge 126 of the blade 120 sweeps over the radially inwardly facing surface 142 it may contact this surface. In the event of such contact a small amount of material may be abraded away from the radially inwardly facing surface 142.

(19) As a result of the tapered transition between the first clearance 134 and the second clearance 136, the portion of the radially inwardly facing surface 142 adjacent the centre portion 132 extends radially inwardly of the remainder of the radially inwardly facing surface 142. Consequently, as material is abraded from the radially inwardly facing surface 142 the presence of the aforementioned tapered transitions prevents the formation of a radial step around the circumference of the radially inwardly facing surface 142 with the consequential increase in aerodynamic losses and loss of efficiency.

(20) Referring to FIG. 3, a bladed rotor assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 200. Features of the bladed rotor assembly 200 which correspond to those of bladed rotor assembly 100 have been given corresponding reference numerals for ease of reference.

(21) The bladed rotor assembly 200 has a bladed rotor 210 and a rotor housing 240.

(22) As described above for the first embodiment, the bladed rotor 210 comprises a plurality of blades 220 arranged in a circumferential array around an axis of rotation 112. The rotor housing 240 encircles the bladed rotor 210 and comprises a radially inwardly facing surface 242.

(23) Each of the blades 220 comprises a first radially extending edge 222, an opposite second radially extending edge 224 and a radially distal edge 226. The radially distal edge 226 connects radially distal ends of the first radially extending edge 222 and the second radially extending edge 224.

(24) The geometry of the blades 220 corresponds to that of the blades 120 of the first embodiment with a radially distal edge 226 of each blade 220 comprising a first end 228, a second end 230 and a centre portion 232. The first end 228 of the radially distal edge 226 adjoins the first radially extending edge 222, while the second end 230 of the radially distal edge 226 adjoins the second radially extending edge 224. The centre portion 232 of the radially distal edge 226 separates the first end 228 from the second end 230.

(25) As with the first embodiment, the clearance between the radially distal edge 226 and the radially inwardly facing surface 242 is a first clearance 234 at the first end 228, and decreases to a second clearance 236 across the centre portion 232.

(26) In this embodiment (shown in FIG. 3) the radially inwardly facing surface 242 remains substantially lineal, while the radially distal edge 226 of the blade 220 is profiled in the axial direction, along the axis of rotation 112.

(27) The radially inwardly facing surface 242 is radially separated from the first end 228 of the radially distal edge 226 by the first clearance 234. In the axial direction the radially distal edge 226 is tapered in a radially outward direction such that at the end of the first end 228 and the start of the centre portion 232 of the radially distal edge 226, the clearance between the radially distal edge 226 of the blade 220 and the radially inwardly facing surface 242 of the rotor housing 240 has reduced to a second clearance 236. This second clearance 236 is maintained across the length of the centre portion 232, and the remainder of the radially distal edge 126 of the blade 120.

(28) In the same way as for the first embodiment, the second clearance 236 is dimensioned such that when the rotor assembly is operating at a predetermined speed and temperature there may be contact between the radially distal edge 226 of the blade 220 and the radially inwardly facing surface 242 of the rotor housing 240.

(29) The transition from the first clearance 234 to the second clearance 236 is a linear transition. In other arrangements, this transition may comprise a nonlinear transition. Alternatively, this transition may comprise two or more linear and/or nonlinear transitions.

(30) In use the bladed rotor assembly 200 according to the second embodiment operates in the same manner as the bladed rotor assembly 100 of the first embodiment described above.

(31) Referring to FIG. 4, a bladed rotor assembly according to a third embodiment of the invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 300. Features of the bladed rotor assembly 300 which correspond to those of bladed rotor assembly 100 have been given corresponding reference numerals for ease of reference.

(32) The bladed rotor assembly 300 comprises a bladed rotor 310 and a rotor housing 340.

(33) The bladed rotor 310 comprises a plurality of blades 320 arranged in a circumferential array around an axis of rotation 112. The rotor housing 340 encircles the bladed rotor 310 and comprises a radially inwardly facing surface 342.

(34) Each of the blades 320 comprises a first radially extending edge 322, an opposite second radially extending edge 324 and a radially distal edge 326. The radially distal edge 326 connects radially distal ends of the first radially extending edge 322 and the second radially extending edge 324.

(35) The radially distal edge 326 of each blade 320 comprises a first end 328, a second end 330 and a centre portion 332. The first end 328 of the radially distal edge 326 adjoins the first radially extending edge 322, while the second end 330 of the radially distal edge 326 adjoins the second radially extending edge 324. The centre portion 332 of the radially distal edge 326 separates the first end 328 from the second end 330.

(36) A clearance between the radially distal edge 326 and the radially inwardly facing surface 342 is a first clearance 334 at the first end 328, decreases to a second clearance 336 across the centre portion 332, and increases to a third clearance 338 at the second end 330.

(37) In the third embodiment (shown in FIG. 4) the radially distal edge 326 of the blade 320 is substantially lineal while the radially inwardly facing surface 342 is profiled in the axial direction along the axis of rotation 112.

(38) The radially inwardly facing surface 342 is radially separated from the first end 328 of the radially distal edge 326 by the first clearance 334. In the axial direction the radially inwardly facing surface 342 is tapered in a radially inward direction such that at the end of the first end 328 and the start of the centre portion 332 of the radially distal edge 326, the clearance between the radially distal edge 326 of the blade 320 and the radially inwardly facing surface 342 of the rotor housing 340 has reduced to a second clearance 336. This second clearance 336 is maintained across the length of the centre portion 332.

(39) Extending further in the axial direction, the radially inwardly facing surface 342 is tapered in a radially outward direction such that at the end of the second end 330 of the radially distal edge 326, the clearance between the radially distal edge 326 of the blade 320 and the radially inwardly facing surface 342 of the rotor housing 340 has increased to a third clearance 338.

(40) The second clearance 336 is dimensioned such that when the rotor assembly is operating at a predetermined speed and temperature there may be contact between the radially distal edge 326 of the blade 320 and the radially inwardly facing surface 342 of the rotor housing 340.

(41) In the third embodiment the first clearance 334 is greater than the third clearance 338. In other arrangements, the first clearance 334 and the third clearance 338 may be equal to one another. Alternatively, the first clearance 334 may be smaller than the third clearance 338.

(42) The transition from the first clearance 334 to the second clearance 336 is a linear transition. In other arrangements, this transition may comprise a nonlinear transition. Alternatively, this transition may comprise two or more linear and/or nonlinear transitions.

(43) In the third embodiment the transition from the second clearance 336 to the third clearance 338 comprises a linear transition. In other arrangements, this transition may comprise a nonlinear transition. Alternatively, this transition may comprise two or more linear and/or nonlinear transitions.

(44) In use, as the radially distal edge 326 of the blade 320 sweeps over the radially inwardly facing surface 342 it may contact this surface. In the event of such contact a small amount of material may be abraded away from the radially inwardly facing surface 342.

(45) As a result of the tapered transitions between the first clearance 334 and the second clearance 336, and between the second clearance 336 and the third clearance 338, the portion of the radially inwardly facing surface 342 adjacent the centre portion 332 extends radially inwardly of the remainder of the radially inwardly facing surface 342. Consequently, as material is abraded from the radially inwardly facing surface 342 the presence of the aforementioned tapered transitions prevents the formation of a radial step around the circumference of the radially inwardly facing surface 142 at either of the first end 328 or the second end 330 of the radially distal edge 326, with the consequential increase in aerodynamic losses and loss of efficiency.

(46) Referring to FIG. 5, a bladed rotor assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 400. Features of the bladed rotor assembly 400 which correspond to those of bladed rotor assembly 100 have been given corresponding reference numerals for ease of reference.

(47) The bladed rotor assembly 400 has a bladed rotor 410 and a rotor housing 440.

(48) As described above for the first embodiment, the bladed rotor 410 comprises a plurality of blades 420 arranged in a circumferential array around an axis of rotation 112. The rotor housing 440 encircles the bladed rotor 410 and comprises a radially inwardly facing surface 442.

(49) Each of the blades 420 comprises a first radially extending edge 422, an opposite second radially extending edge 424 and a radially distal edge 426. The radially distal edge 426 connects radially distal ends of the first radially extending edge 422 and the second radially extending edge 424.

(50) The geometry of the blades 420 corresponds broadly to that of the blades 120 of the previous embodiments with a radially distal edge 426 of each blade 420 comprising a first end 428, a second end 430 and a centre portion 432. The first end 428 of the radially distal edge 426 adjoins the first radially extending edge 422, while the second end 430 of the radially distal edge 426 adjoins the second radially extending edge 424. The centre portion 432 of the radially distal edge 426 separates the first end 228 from the second end 230.

(51) As with the third embodiment described above, the clearance between the radially distal edge 426 and the radially inwardly facing surface 442 is a first clearance 434 at the first end 428, decreases to a second clearance 436 across the centre portion 432, and increases to a third clearance 438 at the second end 430.

(52) In the fourth embodiment (shown in FIG. 5) the radially inwardly facing surface 442 remains substantially lineal, while the radially distal edge 426 of the blade 420 is profiled in the axial direction, along the axis of rotation 112.

(53) The radially inwardly facing surface 442 is radially separated from the first end 428 of the radially distal edge 426 by the first clearance 434. In the axial direction the radially distal edge 426 is tapered in a radially outward direction such that at the end of the first end 428 and the start of the centre portion 432 of the radially distal edge 426, the clearance between the radially distal edge 426 of the blade 420 and the radially inwardly facing surface 442 of the rotor housing 440 has reduced to a second clearance 436. This second clearance 436 is maintained across the length of the centre portion 432.

(54) Extending further in the axial direction, the radially distal edge 426 is tapered in a radially inward direction such that at the end of the second end 430 of the radially distal edge 426, the clearance between the radially distal edge 426 of the blade 420 and the radially inwardly facing surface 442 of the rotor housing 440 has increased to a third clearance 438.

(55) In the same way as for the third embodiment, the second clearance 436 is dimensioned such that when the rotor assembly is operating at a predetermined speed and temperature there may be contact between the radially distal edge 426 of the blade 420 and the radially inwardly facing surface 442 of the rotor housing 440.

(56) In this fourth embodiment the first clearance 434 is equal to the third clearance 438. In other arrangements, the first clearance 434 and the third clearance 438 may be unequal to one another.

(57) The transition from the first clearance 434 to the second clearance 436 is a linear transition. In other arrangements, this transition may comprise a nonlinear transition. Alternatively, this transition may comprise two or more linear and/or nonlinear transitions.

(58) In use the bladed rotor assembly 400 according to the fourth embodiment operates in the same manner as the bladed rotor assembly 300 of the third embodiment described above.

(59) In the third and fourth embodiments described above, the first and third clearances are provided either by profiling of the inwardly facing surface of the rotor housing or by profiling of the radially distal edge of the blade. It is to be understood that in further embodiments of the invention (not shown) the first clearance may be provided by profiling of the inwardly facing surface of the rotor housing while the third clearance may be provided by profiling of the radially distal edge of the blade, or vice versa.

(60) FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a gas turbine engine 300 comprising a bladed rotor assembly 100;200 according to the invention.

(61) The foregoing description of various aspects of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and obviously, many modifications and variations are possible. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to a person of skill in the art are included within the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.