GAS TURBINE ENGINE VARIABLE AREA FAN NOZZLE WITH ICE MANAGEMENT

• US 20130192247A1
• Filed: 02/03/2012
• Published: 08/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rtx Corporation
• Original Assignee: United Technologies Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Blackwell, Geoffrey T., Tempelman, William G., McVey, William J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,593,628 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 60/779
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2033/0233 comprising de-icing means
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 3/04 having a turbine driving a compressor power transmission arrangements F02C7/36; control of working fluid flow F02C9/16
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 9/16 Control of working fluid flow F02C9/48 takes precedence; control of air-intake flow F02C7/057
• CPC Class Codes: F02K 1/09 by axially moving an external member, e.g. a shroud F02K1/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02K 1/12 by means of pivoted flaps
• CPC Class Codes: F02K 3/06 with front fan
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2260/605 Venting into the ambient atmosphere or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2260/607 Preventing clogging or obstruction of flow paths by dirt, dust, or foreign particles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/60 Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft

Abstract

A method of managing a gas turbine engine variable area fan nozzle includes the steps of evaluating an icing condition to determine the likelihood of ice presence. A variable area fan nozzle position is altered if ice is likely present or actually present. The gas turbine engine includes a fan nacelle including a flap configured to be moveable between first and second positions. An actuator is operatively coupled to the flap. A controller is configured to evaluate an icing condition to determine the likelihood of ice presence. The controller is configured to alter a variable area fan nozzle position schedule if ice is likely present by providing a command to the actuator to adjust the flap from the first position to the second position.

Claims

1. A method of managing a gas turbine engine variable area fan nozzle, comprising the steps of:

operating a variable area fan nozzle according to a first operating schedule;

evaluating an icing condition input to determine the likelihood of ice presence;

altering the first operating schedule, which provides a variable area fan nozzle position, if ice is likely present or actually present to provide an icing operating schedule different than the first operating schedule;

adjusting the variable area fan nozzle position according to the icing operating schedule;

a fan arranged in a fan nacelle including a flap configured to be movable between first and second positions;

an actuator operatively coupled to the flap; and

the gas turbine engine includes a Fan Pressure Ratio of less than about 1.45.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the evaluating step includes using an algorithm that relies upon one or more icing condition inputs from at least one of a temperature sensor, air speed and a humidity sensor.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the gas turbine engine comprises:

a compressor section fluidly connected to the fan, the compressor comprising a high pressure compressor and a low pressure compressor;

a combustor fluidly connected to the compressor section;

a turbine section fluidly connected to the combustor, the turbine section comprising;

a high pressure turbine coupled to the high pressure compressor via a shaft; and

a low pressure turbine.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the gas turbine engine is a high bypass geared aircraft engine having a bypass ratio of greater than about six (6).

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the low pressure turbine has a pressure ratio that is greater than about 5.

3. (canceled)

4. A method of managing a gas turbine engine variable area fan nozzle, comprising the steps of:

operating a variable area fan nozzle arranged downstream from a fan that is in a fan nacelle, the variable area fan nozzle operated according to a first operating schedule;

evaluating an icing condition input to determine the likelihood of ice presence;

altering the first operating schedule, which provides a variable area fan nozzle position, if ice is likely present or actually present to provide an icing operating schedule different than the first operating schedule; and

adjusting the variable area fan nozzle position according to the icing operating schedule, and the adjusting step includes translating flaps to selectively block a vent in the fan nacelle, and the icing condition relates to ice present or likely present in an area of the vent.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the first operating schedule corresponds to the flaps at least partially open at air speeds below 0.55 Mach, and the altering step includes closing the flaps below 0.55 Mach as part of the icing operating schedule.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the first operating schedule corresponds to the flaps at least partially open at air speeds below 0.50 Mach, and the altering step includes closing the flaps below 0.50 Mach as part of the icing operating schedule.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the flaps are fully open below 0.38 Mach in the first operating schedule.

10. (canceled)

12. A gas turbine engine comprising:

a fan nacelle including a flap configured to be movable between first and second positions;

an actuator operatively coupled to the flap; and

a controller configured operate the flap according to a first operating schedule, to evaluate an icing condition to determine the likelihood of ice presence, and the controller configured to alter the first operating schedule, which provides a variable area fan nozzle position, if ice is likely present or actually present by providing a command to the actuator in accordance with an icing operating schedule that is different than the first operating schedule to adjust the flap from the first position to the second position according to the icing operating schedule, and the first operating schedule corresponds to the flaps at least partially open at air speeds below 0.55 Mach, and the command includes closing the flaps below 0.55 Mach as part of the icing operating schedule.

13. The gas turbine engine according to claim 12, wherein the first position is open and the second position is closed.

14. The gas turbine engine according to claim 12, comprising a geared architecture coupled between a low speed spool and a fan, the fan arranged within the fan nacelle.

15. The gas turbine engine according to claim 14, comprising:

a compressor section fluidly connected to the fan, the compressor comprising a high pressure compressor and a low pressure compressor;

a combustor fluidly connected to the compressor section;

a turbine section fluidly connected to the combustor, the turbine section comprising;

a high pressure turbine coupled to the high pressure compressor via a shaft; and

a low pressure turbine.

16. The gas turbine engine according to claim 14, wherein the gas turbine engine is a high bypass geared aircraft engine having a bypass ratio of greater than about six (6).

18. The gas turbine engine according to claim 15, wherein the low pressure turbine has a pressure ratio that is greater than about 5.

20. The gas turbine engine according to claim 12, wherein the flaps are fully open below 0.38 Mach in the first operating schedule.

21. The gas turbine engine according to claim 12, wherein the first operating schedule corresponds to a non-icing operating schedule.

22. The gas turbine engine according to claim 21, wherein the non-icing operating schedule corresponds to a normal operating schedule for the gas turbine engine.

17. A gas turbine engine comprising:

a fan nacelle including a flap configured to be movable between first and second positions;

an actuator operatively coupled to the flap;

a controller configured operate the flap according to a first operating schedule, to evaluate an icing condition to determine the likelihood of ice presence, and the controller configured to alter the first operating schedule, which provides a variable area fan nozzle position, if ice is likely present or actually present by providing a command to the actuator in accordance with an icing operating schedule that is different than the first operating schedule to adjust the flap from the first position to the second position according to the icing operating schedule; and

the gas turbine engine includes a Fan Pressure Ratio of less than about 1.45.

19. (canceled)