US3905720A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus for adjusting turbine guide vanes and the like
Assignee: MTU Aero Engines AG
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Filing: 1974-07-08
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Granted: 1975-09-16
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Expires: 1994-07-08
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for adjusting a movable member, for example a guide vane for a gas turbine engine, including an actuating cylinder, and an actuating piston slidably disposed in said cylinder, with one of the cylinder and piston connected in a direct drive linkage for moving the guide vane. A control valve is provided for controlling the opening and closing of respective inlet and exhaust ports leading to a control chamber which effects movement of the actuating piston. This control valve includes a control valve member having one end face acted upon by a fluid control pressure and one arm of a two armed elastically loaded lever contacting the control valve member to force the same against the fluid control pressure. The other arm of the lever includes a roller and is in contact with a predetermined generating line provided in a cavity of the actuating piston such that movement of the actuating piston changes the resistance to movement of the control valve member exerted by way of the lever, whereby a precise and accurate positioning of the actuating piston, irrespective of the reactive forces acting on the actuating piston is obtained.
Inventors
- 👤 Christian Greune
- 👤 Hilbert Holzhauer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 12:53
CPC Classifications
F; F15; F15B; F15B9/00; F15B9/02; F15B9/08; F15B9/12; F01; F01D; F01D17/00; F01D17/20; F01D17/22; F01D17/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
242 words
Apparatus for imparting adjusting movements to a movable member, comprising: an actuating cylinder, an actuating piston slidably disposed in said cylinder, one of said actuating cylinder and actuating piston including means for connecting same to said movable member for movement therewith, a control chamber communicating with a first face of said actuating piston such that supply of fluid under pressure to said control chamber effects movement of said actuating piston in a first direction and drainage of fluid from said control chamber perm its movement of said actuating piston in a second direction opposite said first direction, control chamber inlet means for communicating fluid under pressure to said control chamber, control chamber exhaust means for exhausting fluid from said control chamber, a control valve for controlling the opening and closing of said control chamber inlet and exhaust means, said control valve including a control valve member acted upon in one direction by a fluid control pressure and in the other opposite direction by a control biasing force, said actuating piston including a cavity bounded in part by a generating surface which is spaced from a centerline of said actuating piston by varying amounts along the length of said actuating piston, and interconnecting means in contact with both said control valve member and said generating surface for effecting changes in said control biasing force as a function of the position of said actuating piston along the travel path thereof in said actuating cylinder.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
242 words
Apparatus for imparting adjusting movements to a movable member, comprising: an actuating cylinder, an actuating piston slidably disposed in said cylinder, one of said actuating cylinder and actuating piston including means for connecting same to said movable member for movement therewith, a control chamber communicating with a first face of said actuating piston such that supply of fluid under pressure to said control chamber effects movement of said actuating piston in a first direction and drainage of fluid from said control chamber perm its movement of said actuating piston in a second direction opposite said first direction, control chamber inlet means for communicating fluid under pressure to said control chamber, control chamber exhaust means for exhausting fluid from said control chamber, a control valve for controlling the opening and closing of said control chamber inlet and exhaust means, said control valve including a control valve member acted upon in one direction by a fluid control pressure and in the other opposite direction by a control biasing force, said actuating piston including a cavity bounded in part by a generating surface which is spaced from a centerline of said actuating piston by varying amounts along the length of said actuating piston, and interconnecting means in contact with both said control valve member and said generating surface for effecting changes in said control biasing force as a function of the position of said actuating piston along the travel path thereof in said actuating cylinder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
121 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cavity forms part of said control chamber, wherein a second face of said actuating piston which faces oppositely of and is smaller than said first face is continuously communicated with the fluid under pressure supplied to said control chamber inlet means, wherein said fluid under pressure is a hydraulic fluid, wherein said interconnecting means is an elastically bendable two-armed lever having one arm thereof in contact with said control valve member and the othEr arm thereof in contact with said generating surface, and wherein said two-armed lever is supported intermediate the ends thereof at a part fixed with said actuating cylinder so as to apply an elastic stressing force as said control biasing force.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said control valve member is constrained to move transversely to the direction of movement of said actuating piston.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said control valve means includes means for opening one of said control chamber inlet and exhaust means upon minimal movement of said control valve member from a central position thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said movable member is a guide vane of a gas turbine engine or the like.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inclination of the generating surface relative to the centerline of the actuating piston: is relatively great near one end of the cavity to define a drive range, is relatively small along an intermediate portion of the cavity, and is relatively great at the end of the cavity opposite said one end to define a deceleration range.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the inclination of the generating surface relative to the centerline of the actuating piston: is relatively great near one end of the cavity to define a drive range, is relatively small along an intermediate portion of the cavity, and is relatively great at the end of the cavity opposite said one end to define a deceleration range.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the inclination of the generating surface relative to the centerline of the actuating piston: is relatively great near one end of the cavity to define a drive range, is relatively small along an intermediate portion of the cavity, and is relatively great at the end of the cavity opposite said one end to define a deceleration range.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
83 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said control valve member is constructed with cylindrical valve member end portions at the ends thereof having control edges for controlling openings of said control chamber inlet and exhaust means, said control edges being located at the juncture of said end portions with a central portion of said control valve member which has a smaller diameter than either of said end portions such that the annulus formed around said central portion forms part of the control chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
83 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said control valve member is constructed with cylindrical valve member end portions at the ends thereof having control edges for controlling openings of said control chamber inlet and exhaust means, said control edges being located at the juncture of said end portions with a central portion of said control valve member which has a smaller diameter than either of said end portions such that the annulus formed around said central portion forms part of the control chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
108 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said control valve member has an inlet control edge at one end and an exhaust control edge at the other end, wherein said control chamber communicates with said control valve member by an opening having a width in the direction of movement of said control valve member which is the same as the distance between said inlet and exhaust control edges, and wherein a control cylinder within which said control valve member is slidably guided exhibits an uncontrolled inlet duct and an uncontrolled exhaust duct at respective opposite axial sides of said opening with respect to movement of said control valve member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said uncontrolled inlet duct communicates with a pressure line and said uncontrolled exhaust duct communicates with a drain line.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
108 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said control valve member has an inlet control edge at one end and an exhaust control edge at the other end, wherein said control chamber communicates with said control valve member by an opening having a width in tHe direction of movement of said control valve member which is the same as the distance between said inlet and exhaust control edges, and wherein a control cylinder within which said control valve member is slidably guided exhibits an uncontrolled inlet duct and an uncontrolled exhaust duct at respective opposite axial sides of said opening with respect to movement of said control valve member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the one arm of said lever is of forked configuration with two spaced fork parts, wherein said control valve member is flattened on two opposite sides to accommodate said contact of said fork parts in said flattened sides in a longitudinal center plane of the control valve member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the one arm of said lever is of forked configuration with two spaced fork parts, and wherein said control valve member is flattened on two opposite sides to accommodate said contact of said fork parts in said flattened sides in a longitudinal center plane of the control valve member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the one arm of said lever is of forked configuration with two spaced fork parts, and wherein said control valve member is flattened on two opposite sides to accommodate said contact of said fork parts in said flattened sides in a longitudinal center plane of the control valve member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the one arm of said lever is of forked configuration with two spaced fork parts, and wherein said control valve member is flattened on two opposite sides to accommodate said contact of said fork parts in said flattened sides in a longitudinal center plane of the control valve member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a restrictor duct communicates said control chamber inlet means with a face of said control valve member acted upon by said fluid control pressure, and wherein said last-mentioned face of said control valve member is arranged in direct fluid communication with a mechanism for controlling the magnitude of said fluid control pressure, said mechanism including means operable by a variable electromagnetic force to vary said magnitude of said fluid control pressure.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a restrictor duct communicates said control chamber inlet means with a face of said control valve member acted upon by said fluid control pressure, and wherein said last-mentioned face of said control valve member is arranged in direct fluid communication with a mechanism for controlling the magnitude of said fluid control pressure, said mechanism including means operable by a variable electromagnetic force to vary said magnitude of said fluid control pressure.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a restrictor duct communicates said control chamber inlet means with a face of said control valve member acted upon by said fluid control pressure, and wherein said last-mentioned face of said control valve member is arranged in direct fluid communication with a mechanism for controlling the magnitude of said fluid control pressure, said mechanism including means operable by a variable electromagnetic force to vary said magnitude of said fluid control pressure.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein a restrictor duct communicates said control chamber inlet means with a face of said control valve member acted upon by said fluid control pressure, and wherein said last-mentioned face of said control valve member is arranged in direct fluid communication with a mechanism for controlling the magnitude of said fluid control pressure, said mechanism including means operable by a variable electromagnetic force to vary said magnitude of said fluid control pressure.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said mechanism controls a drain for varying the back pressure build up from the fluid communicated by said restrictor duct to said face of said control valve member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said control valve includes a control valve cylinder for accommodating sliding movement of said control valve member, and wherein a damping duct communicates said control chamber exhaust means with a face of said control valve member which faces oppositely to the face of said control valve member which is acted upon by said fluid control pressure.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
62 words
Appararatus according to claim 8, wherein said control valve includes a control valve cylinder for accommodating sliding movement of said control valve member, and wherein a damping duct communicates said control chamber exhaust means with a face of said control valve member which faces oppositely to the face of said control valve member which is acted upon by said fluid control pressure.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said control valve includes a control valve cylinder for accommodating sliding movement of said control valve member, and wherein a damping duct communicates said control chamber exhaust means with a face of said control valve member which faces oppositely to the face of said control valve member which is acted upon by said fluid control pressure.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said control valve includes a control valve cylinder for accommodating sliding movement of said control valve member, and wherein a damping duct communicates said control chamber exhaust means with a face of said control valve member which faces oppositely to the face of said control valve member which is acted upon by said fluid control pressure.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said control valve includes a control valve cylinder for accommodating sliding movement of said control valve member, and wherein a damping duct communicates said control chamber exhaust means with a face of said control valve member which faces oppositely to the face of said control valve member which is acted upon by said fluid control pressure.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said control valve includes a bushing inserted into a hollow portion of an actuator housing fixed with said actuating cylinder, said control valve member being slidable inside of said bushing, said bushing being radially spaced from internal walls of said hollow portion by sealing rings.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said bushing is of stepped diameter with the maximum diameter at an end thereof which is axially fixed to said actuator housing, whereby axial insertion of said bushing and sealing rings is accommodated.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said control valve includes a bushing inserted into a hollow portion of an actuator housing fixed with said actuating cylinder, said control valve member being slidable inside of said bushing, said bushing being radially spaced from internal walls of said hollow portion by sealing rings.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said control valve includes a bushing inserted into a hollow portion of an actuator housing fixed with said actuating cylinder, said control valve member being slidable inside of said bushing, said bushing being radially spaced from internal walls of said hollow portion by sealing rings.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said control valve includes a bushing inserted into a hollow portion of an actuator housing fixed with said actuating cylinder, said control valve member being slidable inside of said bushing, said bushing being radially spaced from internal walls of said hollow portion by sealing rings.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said control valve includes a bushing inserted into a hollow portion of an actuator housing fixed with said actuating cylinder, said control valve member being slidable inside of said bushing, said bushing radially spaced from internal walls of said hollow portion by sealing rings.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said control valve includes a bushing inserted into a hollow portion of an actuator housing fixed with said actuating cylinder, said control vaLve member being slidable inside of said bushing, said bushing being radially spaced from internal walls of said hollow portion by sealing rings.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the inclination of the generating surface relative to the centerline of the actuating piston is greater in said deceleration range than in said drive range.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-15 | 1979-03-17 | 1979-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-15 | 1983-03-17 | 1983-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-15 | 1987-03-17 | 1987-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |