Stator Vane Attachment Structure for Cantilevered Bending Loads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing turbofan engines without an outer nacelle require cantilevered outlet guide vanes that need to withstand large bending forces, necessitating improved structural support for efficient airflow straightening.

Innovation Solution

A stator vane assembly with an attachment assembly featuring flange members and crosswise support members, along with inner radii supports, to enhance structural rigidity and withstand bending loads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If outlet guide vanes are made cantilevered to eliminate outer nacelle, then fan diameter can be increased for larger thrust, but structural strength to withstand bending forces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefan diameterVSAvoidstructural strength of outlet guide vanes

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment assembly is segmented into multiple components: first and second flange members spaced apart, crosswise support members extending between them, and inner radii supports. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for specific load paths while collectively providing enhanced structural strength to the cantilevered outlet guide vanes, resolving the contradiction between increased fan diameter and maintained structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment assembly extends in multiple dimensions: chordwise (first and second flange members), crosswise (crosswise support members), and radially (inner radii supports). This multi-dimensional structural arrangement distributes bending forces across different spatial dimensions, enabling the cantilevered outlet guide vanes to withstand large bending forces while supporting a larger diameter fan.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Strength

If attachment assembly includes multiple flange members and support members, then structural rigidity improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural rigidityVSAvoidattachment assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple structural functions are merged into a single integrated attachment assembly that attaches to the attachment plate. The first and second flange members, crosswise support members, and inner radii supports work together as a unified structure, providing enhanced structural rigidity through geometric arrangement and material properties rather than through complex mechanical linkages or multiple separate systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250361816A1Stator vane assembly with an attachment assembly

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

A stator vane assembly defining a chordwise direction and a crosswise direction perpendicular to the chordwise direction is provided. The stator vane assembly includes: an attachment plate; and an attachment assembly coupled to the attachment plate, the attachment assembly including: a first flange member attached to the attachment plate and extending along the chordwise direction; a second flange member attached to the attachment plate and extending along the chordwise direction, the first flange member spaced from the second flange member in the crosswise direction; and a crosswise support member extending between the first and second flange members and positioned between the attachment plate and the first flange member and between the attachment plate and the second flange member.