Booster Splitter Protrusions to Break Up Engine Ice Hoops

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ice buildup on aircraft engine booster splitters can lead to undesirable engine responses such as engine surge, stall, and mechanical damage due to the detachment and ingestion of large ice hoops, while existing anti-ice systems incur weight, cost, and fuel penalties by heating the entire surface.

Innovation Solution

Implementing ice-interference features, such as protrusions or anti-ice heat elements, on the booster splitter to segment ice formations into smaller sections, reducing the hoop strength and minimizing the risk of ice ingestion by the engine.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing anti-ice systems heat the entire booster splitter surface, then ice accretion is prevented, but weight, cost, and fuel burn increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice preventionVSAvoidsystem weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The booster splitter surface is divided into multiple zones with protrusions that create separate ice accretion areas. Instead of heating the entire surface uniformly, the protrusions segment the ice formations into smaller, more manageable sections, allowing for more efficient and targeted anti-ice treatment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusions are strategically positioned at specific locations on the booster splitter where ice accretion is most likely to occur. This local modification creates targeted ice-interference features without requiring heating of the entire surface, thereby reducing weight and energy consumption while maintaining effective ice prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If existing anti-ice systems heat the entire booster splitter surface, then ice accretion is prevented, but fuel burn increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice preventionVSAvoidfuel burn

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the ice accretion areas through protrusions, the system reduces the total surface area that requires heating. This allows for more energy-efficient anti-ice operation, reducing fuel burn while maintaining effective ice prevention through targeted thermal management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusions create localized ice-interference features at critical locations, enabling concentrated thermal management only where needed. This local approach reduces overall energy consumption compared to uniform heating of the entire booster splitter surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If ice formations are allowed to form on the booster splitter, then no anti-ice measures are needed, but large ice hoops can detach and cause engine surge, stall, or mechanical damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveno anti-ice systemVSAvoidengine safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusions divide large ice hoops into smaller ice sections, reducing the hazard of ice ingestion. Even when ice forms on the booster splitter, the segmented structure ensures that any detaching ice pieces are too small to cause engine surge, stall, or mechanical damage, thereby maintaining engine safety without requiring extensive anti-ice heating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of preventing ice formation entirely through extensive heating, the protrusions convert the harmful effect of ice accretion into a beneficial outcome by segmenting the ice into safe sizes. This allows ice to form naturally while the protrusion structure ensures the ice remains harmless to the engine.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

Reduces the risk of engine responses by limiting the size and strength of ice sections that detach, thereby decreasing the likelihood of engine surge, stall, and mechanical damage without the need for extensive heating.

Implementation Method 1

Implementing ice-interference features, such as protrusions or anti-ice heat elements, on the booster splitter to segment ice formations into smaller sections, reducing the hoop strength

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical segmentation:

Implementation Method 2

Implementing ice-interference features, such as protrusions or anti-ice heat elements, on the booster splitter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal heating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20260063048A1Ice-interference features for aircraft

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

An example booster splitter includes an inner cylindrical structure; an outer cylindrical structure concentric with the inner cylindrical structure; an annular lip having an arc extending between the inner cylindrical structure and the outer cylindrical structure; a first protrusion at a first circumferential position on the annular lip, the first protrusion protruding axially from the annular lip and extending from the outer cylindrical structure to the inner cylindrical structure along the arc of the annular lip; and a second protrusion at a second circumferential position on the annular lip.