Leaned Outlet Guide Vanes for Gas Turbine Engine Structural Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine engines face issues with outlet guide vane deflection and failure due to rotational forces, leading to potential engine failure and noise, as traditional perpendicular outlet guide vanes are prone to bending under shear stresses.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of tangentially and axially leaned outlet guide vanes strengthens the connection between inner and outer turbine frames, mitigating deflection and allowing for additional components like accessory drive gearboxes to be positioned without angular deflection, and increases the distance between fan blades and vanes to reduce noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional perpendicular outlet guide vanes are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the vanes are prone to bending under shear stresses from rotational forces
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet guide vanes are configured with asymmetric geometry, featuring a chord line that is angled relative to the radial direction. This asymmetric orientation allows the vanes to better resist shear stresses from rotational forces while maintaining structural integrity, directly addressing the bending issue without requiring complex additional components
2Volume of moving object
If outlet guide vanes are positioned closer to fan blades, then the engine size is reduced, but noise output increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the angular parameters of the outlet guide vanes, specifically setting the chord line at a specific angle relative to the radial direction. This parameter optimization allows the vanes to be positioned closer to the fan blades while controlling noise generation through improved airflow guidance and reduced turbulence
3Length of moving object
If outlet guide vanes are positioned closer to fan blades, then the distance between components is reduced, but angular deflection of additional components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric angular positioning of the outlet guide vanes creates a more stable structural configuration that reduces angular deflection. This orientation allows additional components to be positioned on the engine without experiencing excessive angular deflection, even when the overall component spacing is reduced
Data Source
AI summary
Outlet guide vanes for a gas turbine engine are disclosed. An example apparatus includes fan blades surrounded by a fan case, outlet guide vanes positioned downstream from the fan blades, the outlet guide vanes having a first sloping angle in a direction of rotation of the fan blades and a second sloping angle in a direction of air flow through the fan case, and an accessory drive gearbox positioned at least partially on the fan case, the accessory drive gearbox positioned downstream from the outlet guide vanes, the accessory drive gearbox supported by the outlet guide vanes.