Computation of Components System Stiffness for Variable Stator Vane Mechanism

The linkage ring and rocker arm in the variable stator vane (VSV) mechanism have been proven to deform during movement, seriously affecting the motion accuracy of the mechanism. The most concerned and urgent issue is to discover the influence of the stiffness and deformation of the components on the output accuracy of the mechanism. For a given designed structure, the stiffness varies with the configuration of the mechanism. In this paper, the kinematics model of the system composed of components on the kinematic chain formed from the linkage ring to the blades is discussed, and then the stiffness model of the system is obtained. The stiffness obtained by theoretical calculation is compared with that obtained by the Finite Element Analysis model, and the correctness of the formulation is verified. Finally, a study is conducted on whether gravity is needed to be considered, and the results demonstrate its necessity for analysis of stiffness and motion accuracy.