Turbofan Bypass Guide Vane Ring with Integrated Support Struts
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing design of turbofan engine bypass ducts with guide vanes and support struts leads to increased engine weight, static pressure fluctuations, and higher fuel consumption due to pressure losses and mechanical support requirements.
Innovation Solution
Integration of thicker, longer guide vane support struts into the vane ring with modified geometry to expand flow channels and ensure uniform pressure distribution, reducing engine weight and flow losses while maintaining fan stability and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If support struts are arranged downstream of the guide vane ring for mechanical bracing, then the bypass channel structure is stabilized, but pressure losses increase and engine weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support struts are integrated into the guide vane ring structure, merging the mechanical support function with the flow guidance function. This eliminates the need for separate downstream support struts, reducing pressure losses while maintaining structural stability through the combined structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide vane ring with integrated support struts acts as an intermediary structure that provides both flow guidance and mechanical support. By positioning the support struts within the guide vane ring rather than downstream, the structure mediates between the need for structural support and the need to minimize pressure losses in the bypass channel.
2Strength
If additional support struts are arranged around the circumference of the bypass channel, then mechanical support is provided, but engine weight and length increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is merged with the guide vane ring structure. The support struts are integrated into the guide vane ring, combining mechanical support with flow guidance in a single structure, thereby reducing overall engine weight by eliminating redundant components.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide vane ring structure is designed to perform multiple functions: guiding the bypass flow and providing mechanical support through integrated support struts. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate structural components, thereby reducing engine weight.
3Strength
If support struts with greater thickness and chord length are integrated into the guide vane ring, then structural strength is improved, but flow channel area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support struts are positioned at specific locations within the guide vane ring where structural support is most needed, rather than uniformly distributing thickness throughout. This localized reinforcement provides necessary strength while minimizing the overall impact on flow channel area.
Solution Approach 2:
The support struts are oriented in the circumferential direction within the guide vane ring, utilizing the circumferential dimension to provide structural support without significantly reducing the axial flow channel area. This dimensional arrangement allows strength improvement with minimal flow area loss.
4Stability of the object's composition
If guide vanes are arranged at regular intervals to de-swirl the airflow, then flow uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support struts are integrated into the guide vane ring structure, merging the flow guidance function with the mechanical support function. This reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall device complexity while maintaining the regular interval arrangement for flow uniformity.
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
This design reduces engine weight, pressure losses, and fuel consumption by up to 50% while improving fan stability and noise reduction.
Implementation Method 1
guide vanes arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction to de-swirl the airflow generated by the fan
Implementation Method 2
A flow channel located between the suction side of each support strut and a guide vane adjacent to it on the suction side is widened by a geometric modification of the support strut relative to the other guide vanes, ensuring a uniform pressure distribution in the area upstream of the guide vane ring
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A guide vane ring (1) arranged downstream of the fan in the bypass channel of a turbofan engine, for reducing the swirl of the airflow generated by the fan, has guide vane support struts (3) integrated into the guide vane ring at regular intervals, each strut replacing a guide vane. These support struts have a greater thickness and chord length than the guide vanes (2). A flow channel (4) located between a suction side (7) of the guide vane support strut and a guide vane (2.1) adjacent to this suction side is extended by a geometric modification of this guide vane (2.1) relative to the other guide vanes (2), the modification of which depends on the specific design of the guide vane support strut. By integrating the support struts instead of guide vanes into the guide vane ring and by its design according to the invention, the engine weight and flow losses can be reduced.