Composite Fan Case Containment Hook and Debris Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fan case containment systems face challenges in securely attaching to composite materials and maintaining effective containment of fan blades or projectiles, while also ensuring ease of maintenance.
Innovation Solution
The fan case assembly includes a containment hook with a unique geometry that allows direct fastening to a composite material flange, and a fan track liner with honeycomb layers of varying strengths to guide projectiles towards the containment hook, enhancing the containment system's robustness and maintainability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the containment hook is integrated with the barrel, then the structure is simpler, but the attachment strength to composite materials is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The containment system is divided into separate components: the containment hook is a discrete component separate from the barrel, allowing each part to be optimized independently. The hook can be made of metal for strength while the barrel remains composite, resolving the contradiction between attachment strength and structural simplicity.
2Weight of moving object
If the containment hook is made of composite material, then the overall weight is reduced, but the attachment reliability to the flange is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The solution uses hybrid material construction: the containment hook is made of metal material (different from the composite barrel) to ensure strong, reliable attachment to the flange, while the overall system maintains weight efficiency through the composite barrel and selective metal usage only where structural integrity is critical.
3Ease of manufacture
If the fan track liner uses uniform strength material, then the manufacturing is easier, but the projectile guidance capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fan track liner incorporates honeycomb layers with varying strengths at different locations. Stronger layers are positioned to guide projectiles toward the containment hook, while weaker layers are placed where less structural support is needed, optimizing both containment effectiveness and manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A fan case assembly extend along and around a center axis. The fan case assembly may comprise a barrel extending along and around the center axis, the barrel configured to fasten to a flange of an engine case. The fan case assembly may comprise a fan track liner disposed radially inward of the barrel and a containment hook, wherein the containment hook is a discrete component separate from the barrel. The containment hook may include a front segment configured to fasten to the flange, and an axial segment disposed radially inward of the barrel. The axial segment may extend between the flange and the fan track liner and the front segment may extend radially outward from an end of the axial segment. The containment hook may also include a protruding segment extending radially inward from the axial segment.