General Electric Company
VARIABLE INLET GUIDE VANE ASSEMBLY HAVING EMBEDDED ACTUATOR

Abstract:

A variable inlet guide vane assembly (200) and methods of operating the variable inlet guide vane assembly (200) are disclosed. The variable inlet guide vane assembly (200) includes an inlet guide vane (210) and an actuator (220). The actuator (220) is at least partially embedded in the inlet guide vane (210) and is configured to change an angle of the inlet guide vane (210) relative to a gas flow. The actuator (220) includes a shape memory alloy. The methods of operating the variable inlet guide vane assembly (200) include modulating the shape memory alloy by transferring thermal energy between the actuator (220) and a fluid, and actuating the inlet guide vane (210) to change an angle of the inlet guide vane (210) relative to gas flow.