Integrated Ducted Cowl Support for Gas Turbine Engine

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional turbofan engines have complex and heavy structures due to separate components like variable bleed valve ducts and cowl supports, which increase weight, complexity, and cost.

Innovation Solution

A ducted cowl support with an annular structure integrated into the turbine engine frame, featuring integral bypass ducts and a unitary design that combines multiple functions, including structural support and fluid flowpath, replacing multiple existing parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate components (VBV ducts, fire blankets, cowl supports) are used in the fan hub frame area, then structural support and fluid bypass functions are provided, but weight and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural support and fluid bypass functionVSAvoidfan hub frame assembly weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the cowl support structure and bypass duct into a single integrated component. The cowl support includes integrally formed bypass ducts that provide fluid flowpath while the support structure provides mechanical support, eliminating the need for separate VBV ducts, fire blankets, and cowl supports.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cowl support structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the cowl, creates bypass flowpath for fluid flow, and eliminates the need for separate fire protection blankets. This multi-functional design reduces overall component count and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate components (VBV ducts, fire blankets, cowl supports) are used in the fan hub frame area, then structural support and fluid bypass functions are provided, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural support and fluid bypass functionVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the cowl support structure and bypass duct into a single integrated component. The cowl support includes integrally formed bypass ducts that provide fluid flowpath while the support structure provides mechanical support, eliminating the need for separate VBV ducts, fire blankets, and cowl supports.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple separate parts are used, then functional requirements are met, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional requirementsVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the cowl support structure and bypass duct into a single integrated component. The cowl support includes integrally formed bypass ducts that provide fluid flowpath while the support structure provides mechanical support, eliminating the need for separate VBV ducts, fire blankets, and cowl supports.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10247043B2Ducted cowl support for a gas turbine engine

Publication Date: 2019.04.02 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

A ducted cowl support includes an annular structure configured to be mounted to an annular turbine engine frame and including one or more bypass ducts integrally formed therein.