Merged Outlet Guide Vane and Structural Support for Gas Turbine

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Solution Overview

Problem

The asymmetry of the bypass duct in gas turbine engines due to the presence of pylons leads to non-uniform flow fields and increased loading on fan blades, reducing the fan's operating range and causing undesirable forcing on the blades.

Innovation Solution

A component comprising an outlet guide vane and a structural support that are contiguous at a merged portion with a radially outer region, forming a continuous aerodynamic profile, and featuring a gap between them to minimize aerodynamic interaction, with the structural support potentially housing cabling or power transmissions instead of providing structural support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a pylon is used to provide structural support in the bypass duct, then structural support function is achieved, but flow non-uniformity increases and fan operating range is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidflow non-uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet guide vane and structural support are merged into a single integrated component, with the structural support forming part of the outlet guide vane assembly. This merging eliminates the need for separate pylons that disrupt flow, while the outlet guide vane portion maintains aerodynamic function and the structural support portion provides necessary strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated component performs multiple functions simultaneously: the outlet guide vane portion directs airflow uniformly, while the structural support portion provides mechanical support. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate structural pylons that would create flow non-uniformity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Shape

If the outlet guide vane and structural support are fully merged, then aerodynamic profile is improved, but structural strength may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic profileVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated component is divided into distinct functional portions: an outlet guide vane portion with aerodynamic shaping for flow guidance, and a structural support portion with optimized geometry for mechanical strength. The continuous profile connects these portions smoothly, maintaining aerodynamics while the structural portion provides necessary support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the radial extent of the merged portion is reduced, then flow uniformity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow uniformityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The merged portion is concentrated in a specific radial region with optimized extent, rather than being distributed throughout the entire component. This localized merging achieves flow uniformity improvement while concentrating manufacturing complexity in a manageable area rather than dispersing it throughout the entire structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3536902B1Gas turbine engine component

Publication Date: 2020.03.11 ROLLS ROYCE PLC

Figure 1
Figure 2

AI summary

There is disclosed a component arranged to extend across a bypass duct (22) of a gas turbine engine (10), comprising: an outlet guide vane (24); and a structural support (26) arranged to structurally support a radially inner component of the gas turbine engine (10). The outlet guide vane (24) and the structural support (26) are contiguous at a merged portion (32) which is at a radially outer region of the component.