초록 ▼

A gas turbine engine variable vane having a winglet integrally formed therewith. In one embodiment, the variable vane includes a winglet attached to one end so as to reduce endwall losses resulting from air leakage from the high-pressure side to the low-pressure side of the airfoil. The winglet subs

A gas turbine engine variable vane having a winglet integrally formed therewith. In one embodiment, the variable vane includes a winglet attached to one end so as to reduce endwall losses resulting from air leakage from the high-pressure side to the low-pressure side of the airfoil. The winglet substantially increases the width of the endwall gap thereby reducing the loss associated with the vortex flow caused by leakage of gas from the pressure side to the section side of the airfoil. In another aspect the winglet runs along the airfoil thereby increasing stiffness and acting as a bracing strut to increase the resonant frequency of the airfoil.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A gas turbine engine variable vane, comprising:an airfoil having an outer surface extending spanwise between an inner and an outer end and further extending streamwise between a leading edge and a trailing edge;a first button coupled to one of said ends of said airfoil;

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A gas turbine engine variable vane, comprising:an airfoil having an outer surface extending spanwise between an inner and an outer end and further extending streamwise between a leading edge and a trailing edge;a first button coupled to one of said ends of said airfoil; anda first winglet positioned along one of said ends of said airfoil and extending from said outer surface, wherein said first winglet is configured so as to increase the width of a first endwall gap defined by said one of said ends and a first surface of the gas turbine engine, the width of the first winglet along a first portion substantially adjacent the leading edge being greater than the width of the first winglet along a second portion substantially adjacent the trailing edge.