Flow manipulating arrangement for a turbine exhaust diffuser

Abstract

A flow manipulating arrangement for a turbine exhaust diffuser includes a strut having a leading edge and a trailing edge, the strut disposed within the turbine exhaust diffuser. Also included is a plurality of rotatable guide vanes disposed in close proximity to the strut and configured to manipulate an exhaust flow, wherein the plurality of rotatable guide vanes is coaxially aligned and circumferentially arranged relative to each other. Further included is an actuator in operative communication with the plurality of rotatable guide vanes and configured to actuate an adjustment of the plurality of rotatable guide vanes. Yet further included is a circumferential ring operatively coupling the plurality of rotatable guide vanes, wherein the actuator is configured to directly actuate rotation of one of the rotatable guide vanes, and wherein the circumferential ring actuates rotation of the plurality of rotatable guide vanes upon rotational actuation by the actuator.

1 . A flow manipulating arrangement for a turbine exhaust diffuser comprising:
 a strut having a leading edge and a trailing edge, the strut disposed within the turbine exhaust diffuser;   a plurality of rotatable guide vanes disposed in close proximity to the strut and configured to manipulate an exhaust flow, wherein the plurality of rotatable guide vanes is coaxially aligned and circumferentially arranged relative to each other;   an actuator in operative communication with the plurality of rotatable guide vanes and configured to actuate an adjustment of the plurality of rotatable guide vanes; and   a circumferential ring operatively coupling the plurality of rotatable guide vanes, wherein the actuator is configured to directly actuate rotation of one of the rotatable guide vanes, and wherein the circumferential ring actuates rotation of the plurality of rotatable guide vanes upon rotational actuation by the actuator.   
     
     
         2 . The flow manipulating arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the turbine exhaust diffuser is an axial diffuser comprising:
 an inner barrel extending in a longitudinal direction of the turbine exhaust diffuser; and   an outer wall disposed radially outwardly of the inner barrel, wherein the strut extends between, and is operatively coupled to, the inner barrel and the outer wall, and wherein the plurality of rotatable guide vanes is operatively coupled to at least one of the inner barrel and the outer wall.   
     
     
         3 . The flow manipulating arrangement of  claim 2 , further comprising a rotatable member operatively coupled to the actuator and extending through each of the plurality of rotatable guide vanes, wherein the plurality of rotatable guide vane is rotatable about an axis defined by the rotatable member. 
     
     
         4 . The flow manipulating arrangement of  claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of struts coaxially aligned and circumferentially arranged wherein the plurality of rotatable guide vanes is disposed in at least one of an axially upstream location and an axially downstream location of the plurality of struts. 
     
     
         5 . The flow manipulating arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the circumferential ring is operatively coupled to a plurality of bearings configured to facilitate sliding of the circumferential ring within a slot structure. 
     
     
         6 . The flow manipulating arrangement of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of rotatable guide vanes is circumferentially adjacent to, and axially aligned with, the strut. 
     
     
         7 . The flow manipulating arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rotatable guide vanes is rotatable over a range of angular positions corresponding to a range of exhaust flow conditions. 
     
     
         8 . The flow manipulating arrangement of  claim 7 , wherein the range of angular positions comprises a first position corresponding to a first condition and a second position corresponding to a second condition, wherein the first condition comprises a full speed, full load condition and the second condition comprises a part load condition. 
     
     
         9 . The flow manipulating arrangement of  claim 3 , further comprising a gear arrangement configured to transmit mechanical power from the actuator to the rotatable member. 
     
     
         10 . The flow manipulating arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the turbine exhaust diffuser is a radial diffuser comprising an inner wall and an outer wall, wherein the strut is operatively coupled to at least one of the inner wall and the outer wall. 
     
     
         11 . The flow manipulating arrangement of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of rotatable guide vanes is operatively coupled to the strut. 
     
     
         12 . The flow manipulating arrangement of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of rotatable guide vanes is rotatable over a range of angular positions corresponding to a range of exhaust flow conditions. 
     
     
         13 . The flow manipulating arrangement of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 an outer seal arrangement disposed between the plurality of rotatable guide vanes and the outer wall; and   an inner seal arrangement disposed between the plurality of rotatable guide vanes and the inner barrel.   
     
     
         14 . The flow manipulating arrangement of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of rotatable guide vanes is moveable in a radial direction. 
     
     
         15 . A flow manipulating arrangement for a turbine exhaust diffuser comprising:
 an inner barrel extending in a longitudinal direction of the turbine exhaust diffuser;   an outer wall disposed radially outwardly of the inner barrel;   a strut extending between, and operatively coupled to, the inner barrel and the outer wall, wherein the strut comprises a leading edge and a trailing edge; and   at least one guide vane disposed axially upstream of the leading edge of the strut, the at least one guide vane selectively circumferentially displaceable relative to the strut.   
     
     
         16 . The flow manipulating arrangement of  claim 15 , further comprising a motor in operative communication with the at least one guide vane and configured to actuate an adjustment of the at least one guide vane. 
     
     
         17 . The flow manipulating arrangement of  claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of struts coaxially aligned and circumferentially arranged, wherein the at least one guide vane comprises a plurality of guide vanes coaxially aligned and circumferentially arranged. 
     
     
         18 . The flow manipulating arrangement of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of guide vanes are circumferentially aligned with the plurality of struts in a first position during a first condition of an exhaust flow and displaceable to at least one additional position during a second condition of the exhaust flow. 
     
     
         19 . The flow manipulating arrangement of  claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of struts coaxially aligned and circumferentially arranged, wherein the at least one guide vane comprises a plurality of guide vanes coaxially aligned and circumferentially arranged at an axially downstream location of the plurality of struts. 
     
     
         20 . A flow manipulating arrangement for a radial turbine exhaust diffuser comprising:
 an inner wall;   an outer wall;   a strut operatively coupled to at least one of the inner wall and the outer wall; and   at least one rotatable guide vane disposed proximate the strut, wherein the at least one rotatable guide vane is selectively rotatable over a range of angular positions and displaceable in at least one of an axial direction and a radial direction.