Fan Exit Guide Vane Load Member and Cooling Cavity Layout
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas turbine engine designs face challenges in managing structural loads and cooling as core sizes decrease and operating temperatures increase, particularly in fan exit guide vanes, which are subjected to airflow back pressure and require efficient load distribution and cooling solutions.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a fan exit guide vane with a load member and cooling cavity, featuring a load member cavity and a cooling cavity within the vane, which supports structural loads in tension and facilitates heat transfer, allowing for additional space for heat exchangers and electronics, decoupling aerodynamic and structural loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling cavities are added to fan exit guide vanes, then cooling capability is improved, but structural strength is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The vane is segmented into functional zones with cooling cavities positioned in non-critical areas, separating the load-bearing structural regions from the cooling functions. This allows the vane to maintain structural integrity in load-critical zones while providing effective cooling in appropriate locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes composite material construction for the vane, combining materials with different properties to achieve both structural strength and thermal management. The composite structure allows integration of cooling cavities without compromising overall vane strength.
2Volume of moving object
If core size is decreased, then engine compactness is improved, but operating temperature is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Cooling cavities act as intermediary thermal management structures within the compact engine core. These cavities provide pathways for cooling airflow, serving as a mediator between the hot engine components and the cooler external environment, enabling effective thermal management in a reduced-size core configuration.
3Strength
If load carrying capacity is increased, then structural integrity is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The vane structure is designed with multi-functionality, where the same structural elements serve both load-carrying and cooling functions. The integrated design allows the vane to handle structural loads while simultaneously providing thermal management, reducing the need for separate dedicated components.
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
This design effectively manages structural loads and provides enhanced cooling capabilities, enabling efficient heat transfer and acoustic treatment, while allowing for customizable load and heat transfer arrangements.
Implementation Method 1
the cooling cavity being configured to support heat transfer from a working fluid to a fan bypass flow
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~4a
Figure 5~5a
AI summary
A fan exit guide vane with a load member and cooling cavity including an inner attachment region opposite an outer attachment region; a load member cavity formed within the fan exit guide vane extending spanwise through the fan exit guide vane from the inner attachment region to the outer attachment region; the load member extending through the load member cavity beyond each of the inner attachment region and the outer attachment region of the fan exit guide vane; and a cooling cavity formed within the fan exit guide vane extending spanwise through the fan exit guide vane between the inner attachment region and the outer attachment region.