Variable Fan Nozzle Seal Assembly for Petal Air Leak Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing variable area fan nozzle systems in jet engines face challenges in sealing airflow between movable petals, leading to air leaks and reduced fuel efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A seal assembly comprising a frame and a single-piece seal that encloses the petal actuation system, with a projection and groove configuration to prevent airflow, and made from urethane to minimize wear and damage, ensuring secure coupling and tension adjustment with the frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a seal assembly is introduced to enclose the petal actuation system, then airflow between petals is prevented and fuel efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is nested within the actuation system housing, with the seal body positioned inside the housing cavity and the seal lip engaging with the petal surface. This nesting arrangement allows the seal to be integrated into the existing structure without adding external components, thereby preventing airflow between petals while minimizing increases in device complexity.
2Reliability
If a single-piece seal is used to enclose the actuation system, then manufacturing precision and reliability are improved, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is segmented into distinct functional elements: the seal body (formed from extruded material), the seal lip (attached to the seal body), and the retention features (protrusions and grooves). This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using optimized processes (extrusion for the body, molding for the lip) and then assembled, improving ease of manufacture while maintaining the reliability benefits of a integrated seal design.
3Strength
If the seal is made from extruded material with attached lip, then material strength and durability are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly uses composite construction, combining extruded material (for the seal body, providing structural strength and durability) with molded material (for the seal lip, providing precise sealing surface). This composite approach allows each material to be optimized for its specific function, with the extruded body providing strength and the molded lip providing precision sealing, thereby achieving both strength and manufacturing precision requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and apparatus for sealing variable area fan nozzles (214) of jet engines (200) are disclosed. An apparatus in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure includes a frame and a seal (218) to be coupled to the frame. The seal to enclose petals (216) of a variable area fan nozzle (214) to substantially prevent airflow between the petals.