초록 ▼

A cospander for extending the high efficiency range of a turbine engine is described. A cospander, in one aspect, is a turbomachinery device including at least one stage wherein stator vane and rotor blade rows are continuously variable to an extent that each stage can be operated in compression, ex

A cospander for extending the high efficiency range of a turbine engine is described. A cospander, in one aspect, is a turbomachinery device including at least one stage wherein stator vane and rotor blade rows are continuously variable to an extent that each stage can be operated in compression, expansion, or null modes depending on the blade and vane angles at any specific operating point. Such a device placed ahead or within a typical compressor has the effect of reducing, increasing, or maintaining the through flow of the primary working fluid. Such flow variation control can be used to achieve the desired overall turbomachinery thermal efficiency improvements over a wider operating range than is otherwise possible. In one specific embodiment, for example, the cospander includes a variable stator vane and a variable pitch rotor blade in series flow relationship.

대표청구항

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A gas turbine engine comprising:a first compressor; andmeans for providing air to an inlet of said first compressor, said inlet means operable as an expander and as a second compressor, and comprising a variable pitch blade rotor.

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A gas turbine engine comprising:a first compressor; andmeans for providing air to an inlet of said first compressor, said inlet means operable as an expander and as a second compressor, and comprising a variable pitch blade rotor.