Propulsor Cavity Access for On-Wing Electric Converter Service
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accessing and servicing propulsion engine components, such as electric converters, is challenging due to their location within high-temperature and high-pressure areas, necessitating frequent replacement or repair, and existing solutions do not provide efficient access methods.
Innovation Solution
The propulsion engine design includes a propulsor cavity between the low-pressure compressor and fan, where the electric converter is positioned, allowing access by rotating fan blades and removing segmented structures to expose the converter, with segmented inlet guide vanes, splitters, and flowpath structures that can be detached to facilitate on-wing servicing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electric converters are located within the propulsor cavity to avoid high temperatures and pressures, then component reliability is improved, but access difficulty increases making servicing challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet guide vane assembly is divided into multiple segments that can be independently removed. Specifically, the inlet guide vanes are segmented into first through fourth vanes, and the inlet guide vane assembly is segmented into multiple removable segments, allowing technicians to access the electric converter by removing only specific segments rather than disassembling the entire engine.
2Ease of repair
If electric converters are placed in accessible locations for frequent replacement, then ease of repair is improved, but exposure to high temperatures and pressures reduces component lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet guide vane assembly is segmented into multiple removable sections, enabling technicians to access the electric converter located in the propulsor cavity by removing only specific segments. This provides easy access for replacement while maintaining the converter's protected location away from high-temperature and high-pressure zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented inlet guide vane assembly acts as an intermediary structure that can be selectively removed to provide access pathways to the electric converter. This mediator structure allows servicing operations without requiring direct exposure to the converter's protected environment, and without requiring complete engine disassembly.
3Ease of repair
If segmented inlet guide vanes and flowpath structures are used to facilitate access, then ease of repair is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet guide vane assembly is divided into multiple segments (first through fourth inlet guide vanes, and multiple assembly segments) that can be independently removed. This segmentation enables access to the electric converter while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that follows the natural flowpath of the engine.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented inlet guide vane assembly serves multiple functions: it guides airflow into the compressor, provides structural support for the propulsor cavity, and enables access pathways for servicing the electric converter. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate access mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Propulsion engines and methods of accessing components within propulsor cavities of propulsion engines are disclosed. A propulsion engine includes an outer engine housing that includes a propulsor cavity located therein. The propulsor cavity is axially located between a low-pressure compressor and a fan of the propulsion engine. An electric converter is disposed within the propulsor cavity.