Method and apparatus for air flow control

Abstract

According to one aspect of the invention, an air flow control apparatus includes a guide vane to be positioned between an air inlet and a rotor of a turbomachine. Further, the guide vane includes a geometry configured to control an air flow incidence on the rotor, the guide vane further having a substantially constant aspect ratio. In addition, a body of the guide vane includes a shape memory material configured to change a geometry of the guide vane in response to energy provided by a power source.

1 . An air flow control apparatus comprising:
 a guide vane positionable between an air inlet and a rotor of a turbomachine, the guide vane having a geometry configured to control an air flow incidence on the rotor, the guide vane further having a substantially constant aspect ratio, a body of the guide vane comprising at least in part a shape memory material configured to change a geometry of the guide vane in response to energy provided by a power source.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the guide vane comprises a single piece structure. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the energy is applied to the shape memory material based on a turbine load condition. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the guide vane geometry comprises a leading edge and a trailing edge. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the shape memory material comprises a portion of the trailing edge and is configured to change a shape of the trailing edge to control an air flow incidence on the rotor. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the shape memory material comprises a portion of the leading edge and is configured to change a shape of the leading edge to control an air flow incidence on the rotor. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the shape memory material comprises a conductive wire and a flexible composite. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the energy comprises a selected current. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the conductive wire comprises a nickel titanium wire embedded in a carbon fiber composite. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a controller and the power source are configured to selectively apply the energy to the shape memory material. 
     
     
         11 . A method for controlling air flow in a compressor comprising:
 flowing air from an inlet toward a guide vane; and   applying an energy to a shape memory material in the guide vane to change a geometry of the guide vane to control an incidence of air flow on a rotor.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein applying an energy comprises changing the geometry of the guide vane from a first shape to a second shape based on a turbine load condition. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein applying an energy to the shape memory material comprises applying a current to conductive wire embedded in a flexible composite. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein applying an energy comprises causing a substantially uniform air flow incidence on the rotor based on a condition. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein applying an energy comprises causing a movement of a root or tip of the guide vane as the geometry of the guide vane changes. 
     
     
         16 . A turbine compressor comprising:
 an air inlet;   a rotor positioned downstream of the air inlet;   a guide vane positioned between the air inlet and the rotor, the guide vane comprising a shape memory material; and   a power source coupled to the shape memory material to cause a change of a guide vane geometry.   
     
     
         17 . The turbine compressor of  claim 16 , wherein the shape memory material is configured to change an air flow distribution. 
     
     
         18 . The turbine compressor of  claim 16 , wherein the guide vane geometry is configured to change based on a turbine condition. 
     
     
         19 . The turbine compressor of  claim 16 , wherein the guide vane is attached to the compressor at least one of a root or a tip of the guide vane. 
     
     
         20 . The turbine compressor of  claim 19 , wherein the shape memory material is configured to cause a rotation as the guide vane geometry changes.