Outlet Guide Vane Mount Shim Structure Against Delamination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Composite materials used in gas turbine engine outlet guide vanes are prone to delamination failure due to high interlaminar stresses and stress concentrations, which reduce their durability and structural integrity under extreme conditions.

Innovation Solution

Positioning a shim material, such as a highly polished metal, between the composite material and a load spreader block to distribute stress and reduce interface friction, using materials with a higher modulus of elasticity than the composite material and incorporating fiberglass plies for electrical isolation to prevent galvanic corrosion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If composite materials are used in outlet guide vanes, then weight is reduced and aerodynamic performance is improved, but the materials are prone to delamination failure due to high interlaminar stresses and stress concentrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight of outlet guide vaneVSAvoidstructural integrity of composite material

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A shim material is introduced as an intermediary component between the composite material and the load spreader block. This shim distributes the concentrated loads from the block over a larger area of the composite material, reducing interlaminar stresses and preventing delamination while maintaining the lightweight benefits of composite construction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The shim material is strategically positioned at specific locations where stress concentrations occur in the composite structure. By applying local reinforcement only where needed rather than throughout the entire structure, the solution maintains overall lightweight design while addressing critical stress points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If a load spreader block is used to distribute stress, then structural integrity is improved, but stress concentrations occur at the interface between the block and composite material

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload distribution capabilityVSAvoidinterlaminar stress at interface

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The shim material serves as a mediator between the load spreader block and composite material, transitioning the concentrated load from the block into a distributed load across the composite material, thereby eliminating the harmful stress concentration at the interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If metal components are used in the structure, then strength and stiffness are improved, but galvanic corrosion occurs at metal-composite interfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidgalvanic corrosion

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shim material acts as an intermediary layer that electrically isolates the metal load spreader block from the composite material, preventing galvanic corrosion while still allowing mechanical load transfer. This intermediary layer protects the metal component from corrosive electrochemical reactions with the composite

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enhances load-carrying capacity and stiffness of the composite material, reducing the risk of delamination and improving the structural integrity of the outlet guide vanes by distributing stress and preventing corrosion.

Implementation Method 1

Positioning a shim material, such as a highly polished metal, between the composite material and a load spreader block to distribute stress

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStress distribution:

Implementation Method 2

Positioning a shim material, such as a highly polished metal, between the composite material and a load spreader block to distribute stress and reduce interface friction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Lubrication

Implementation Method 3

incorporating fiberglass plies for electrical isolation to prevent galvanic corrosion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical insulation:

Data Source

PatentUS12467385B1Outlet guide vane mount

Publication Date: 2025.11.11 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

Outlet guide vane mounts with an airfoil structure are disclosed herein. The airfoil structure includes an airfoil platform, a composite material, a load spreader block, and a shim material, the composite material and a load spreader block positioned on the airfoil platform, the composite material having a first stiffness and the load spreader block having a second stiffness, and a shim material positioned between the composite material and the load spreader block, the shim material having a third stiffness different from at least one of the first stiffness or the second stiffness.