Aircraft Engine Strut Air Guide for Thermal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft engines face challenges in efficiently distributing air for thermal management and cooling of thermally stressed components, such as turbine walls, due to increasing thermal loads, which existing air guiding devices do not adequately address.
Innovation Solution
An air guiding device with strategically placed air inlet openings and sealing barriers is integrated into the aircraft engine, allowing for targeted air flow distribution and thermal control, using struts to connect the core engine casing to the bypass duct, and optionally providing back pressure in bearing housings to prevent oil leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air inlet openings are added to the connecting device for thermal control, then cooling capability of thermally stressed parts is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting device (strut) is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides mechanical support connecting the core engine casing to the bypass duct structure, and simultaneously functions as an air guiding element with integrated air inlet openings for thermal control of thermally stressed components. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by incorporating cooling capability without adding separate dedicated cooling structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The air guiding function is merged with the mechanical connecting function by integrating air inlet openings directly into the connecting device structure. The sealing barrier is also integrated into the same structure, combining multiple functions (mechanical connection, air guidance, sealing) into a single unified component rather than separate elements.
2Manufacturing precision
If sealing barriers are used to separate air flows, then air flow distribution precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing barrier is integrated directly into the connecting device structure rather than being a separate component. This merging of sealing function with the mechanical connecting structure achieves precise air flow separation while avoiding the complexity of additional independent sealing systems.
3Loss of energy
If struts are used as connecting devices, then resistance in bypass channel is reduced, but structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting device is designed with local quality variations: it has a streamlined outer contour that minimizes flow resistance in the bypass channel, while incorporating localized reinforcing elements or optimized cross-sectional geometry at critical stress points to maintain structural strength. The air inlet openings are strategically positioned and sized to balance flow requirements with structural integrity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively cools critical engine components and maintains pressure in bearing housings, enhancing thermal efficiency and preventing hot air escape from turbines, while minimizing resistance in the bypass channel.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one sealing barrier has an elastic band, an elastic membrane and/or a bellows
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C
AI summary
The invention relates to an air guide device in an aircraft engine (100) comprising at least one connecting device between a core engine casing (11) and an outer wall (12) of a bypass duct (10) of the aircraft engine (100), characterized in that at least one first air inlet opening (1) for inflowing air (K) is connected to or arranged in the connecting device (2). The invention further relates to an aircraft engine (100) with such an air guide device.