Fan Case Core Drainage Plenum Integration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional fan case assembly drainage systems in turbofan engines are costly and difficult to bond correctly, particularly in structurally critical regions, and lack efficient fluid passage designs for effective water removal.
Innovation Solution
A fan containment case assembly with a core segment configuration that includes an intermediate core segment with a plenum for fluid passage, ribs for structural support, and molded polymer materials for reduced weight and simplified assembly, providing improved drainage through a cylindrical outer case and arcuate panels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional drainage tubes are routed under the ice liner core to drain water from the containment portion, then drainage function is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and bonding difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage function is merged into the core segment itself by integrating a plenum (fluid passage) directly into the core segment structure. This eliminates the need for separate drainage tubes routed under the liner core, as the core segment now provides both structural support and drainage functionality through its integrated plenum cavity that connects to drainage holes in the containment portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage function is extracted from the traditional tube-based system and embedded directly into the core segment design. The plenum is formed as an integral part of the core segment, removing the need for separate drainage components and their associated bonding and routing complexity.
2Reliability
If drainage tubes are used in structurally critical containment portions, then water drainage is achieved, but structural integrity and reliability are compromised due to bonding requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage function is merged into the core segment structure through the integrated plenum, eliminating the need for separate drainage tubes that require bonding in structurally critical areas. The core segment itself provides the fluid passage, maintaining structural integrity without compromising reliability through additional bonding operations.
3Ease of operation
If molded polymer core segments with integrated plenums are used, then assembly is simplified and weight is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The plenum is merged into the core segment as an integral molded feature rather than a separate component. This integration simplifies assembly by eliminating the need to install separate drainage tubes, and the molding process inherently provides the necessary precision for the plenum geometry and its connection to drainage holes.
Solution Approach 2:
The manufacturing approach changes from mechanical assembly of separate parts to molded fabrication of an integrated structure. The molding process parameters (temperature, pressure, material flow) are optimized to achieve the required precision for the plenum cavity and its integration with the core segment and drainage holes.
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
The solution enhances drainage efficiency, reduces overall weight, simplifies assembly, and eliminates galvanic action issues, while being more environmentally friendly and cost-effective compared to traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
The plenum is defined between the axial inlet side and the axial outlet side through the intermediate core segment proximate the radially outer side, for fluid passage between the axial inlet side and the axial outlet side
Data Source
AI summary
A core for a fan containment includes an intermediate core segment and a plenum for fluid passage defined through the intermediate core segment. The intermediate core segment has an axial inlet side, an axial outlet side opposed to the axial inlet side, a radially inner side, and a radially outer side opposed to the radially inner side. The radially outer side is configured to be operatively connected to a cylindrical outer case and the radially inner side is configured to be operatively connected to at least one arcuate panel to form a liner assembly. The plenum extends through the intermediate core segment proximate the radially outer side for fluid passage between the axial inlet side and the axial outlet side.