Narrow waist vane

• US 6,312,219 B1
• Filed: 11/05/1999
• Issued: 11/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Decker, John J., Wood, Peter J., Seitzer, Kenneth E., Mielke, Mark J., Steinmetz, Gregory T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Look, Edward K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCALEENAN, JAMES M
• Application Number:
  US09/434,344
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 415/191, 415/192, 415/208.1, 415/208.2, 415/210.1, 415/193, 415/194, 415/195, 416/223.R, 416/223.A, 416/243, 416/DIG.2, 416/DIG.5, 416/235, 416/228
• US Class Current: 415/191
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 5/005 Repairing methods or devices
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 5/141 Shape, i.e. outer, aerodynamic form F01D5/148 - F01D5/20 take precedence; blade construction F01D5/147
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 5/28 Selecting particular materials; Particular measures relating thereto; Measures against erosion or corrosion
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 5/282 Selecting composite materials, e.g. blades with reinforcing filaments
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 5/284 Selection of ceramic materials
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/544 Blade shapes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/60 Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft

Abstract

A compressor stator vane includes pressure and suction sides extending chordally between leading and trailing edges, and longitudinally between a root and a tip. The vane narrows in chord to a waist between the root and tip. The vane may also be bowed at its trailing edge in cooperation with the narrow waist.

Claims

1. A compressor stator vane comprising pressure and suction sides extending in a first plane chordally between leading and trailing edges, and longitudinally between a root and tip, and narrowing in chord to a waist therebetween, with said leading edge being generally straight in an orthogonal second plane.

2. A vane according to claim 1 wherein said leading edge is tapered toward said waist from said root and from said tip, and said waist is generally concave at midspan in said first plane.

3. A vane according to claim 2 wherein said waist is disposed within a range of about 30%-70% of longitudinal span from said root.

4. A vane according to claim 3 wherein said waist is disposed at about 50% span.

5. A vane according to claim 2 wherein said trailing edge is generally straight longitudinally from said root to said tip in said first plane.

6. A vane according to claim 5 wherein said trailing edge is generally straight in both said pressure and suction sides.

7. A vane according to claim 6 narrowing in chord solely from said leading edge, with said trailing edge being straight.

8. A vane according to claim 6 wherein said trailing edge is configured to extend solely radially in axial elevation without inclination with said leading edge in said first plane.

9. A vane according to claim 6 wherein said trailing edge is inclined toward said leading edge from said root to tip in said first plane.

10. A vane according to claim 9 wherein said trailing edge inclination is constant from said root to said tip.

11. A vane according to claim 2 wherein said chords shorten to said waist for effecting a substantially uniform diffusion loading longitudinally from said root to tip.

12. A vane according to claim 2 wherein said suction side is bowed at an obtuse angle between said trailing edge and each of said root and tip in said second plane.

13. A vane according to claim 12 wherein said trailing edge is generally straight in said pressure and suction sides in said first plane and orthogonal to said bow of said suction side thereat in said second plane.

14. A vane according to claim 12 wherein said obtuse angle is within a range of about 110°

-130°

.

15. A vane according to claim 12 wherein said chords shorten to said waist for effecting a substantially uniform diffusion loading longitudinally from said root to said tip.

16. A vane according to claim 12 wherein said leading edge is substantially normal to said root and tip in said second plane.

17. A vane according to claim 16 wherein said leading edge is generally straight between said root and tip in said second plane and orthogonal to said taper thereof in said first plane.

18. A vane according to claim 16 wherein said obtuse angle decreases in magnitude from said trailing edge toward said leading edge.

19. A vane according to claim 12 further comprising an inner band joined normal to said root in said second plane, and an outer band joined normal to said tip in said second plane for effecting said obtuse angle between said suction side at said trailing edge with both said bands.

20. A compressor stator vane comprising:

pressure and suction sides extending in a first plane chordally between leading and trailing edges, and longitudinally between a root and tip, and narrowing in chord to a waist therebetween, with said leading edge being generally straight in an orthogonal second plane; and

said suction side is bowed at an obtuse angle between said trailing edge and each of said root and tip in said second plane.

21. A vane according to claim 20 further comprising an inner band joined normal to said root in said second plane, and an outer band joined normal to said tip in said second plane for effecting said obtuse angle between said suction side at said trailing edge with both said bands.

22. A vane according to claim 21 wherein:

said chords narrow solely from said leading edge; and

said trailing edge is generally straight in said pressure and suction sides in said first plane and orthogonal to said bow of said suction side thereat in said second plane.

23. A vane according to claim 22 wherein said chords shorten to said waist for effecting a substantially uniform diffusion loading longitudinally from said root to tip.

24. A vane according to claim 22 wherein said waist is disposed within a range of about 30%-70% of longitudinal span from said root.

25. A vane according to claim 24 wherein said obtuse angle is within a range of about 100°

-130°

.

26. A vane according to claim 22 wherein said leading edge is generally straight between said root and tip in said second plane and orthogonal to said taper thereof in said first plane.

27. A compressor stator vane 18 comprising a scalloped leading edge with a waist of minimum chord in a first plane, and a trailing edge bowed orthogonally relative to said leading edge in an orthogonal second plane.