OUTLET GUIDE VANE ASSEMBLY FOR A TURBOFAN ENGINE

Organization Name

Inventor(s)

Sara Elizabeth Carle of Hilliard OH (US)

Trevor Howard Wood of Clifton Park NY (US)

OUTLET GUIDE VANE ASSEMBLY FOR A TURBOFAN ENGINE - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18674010 titled 'OUTLET GUIDE VANE ASSEMBLY FOR A TURBOFAN ENGINE

The abstract describes a turbofan engine with an unducted rotor assembly and outlet guide vanes positioned in a specific circumferential direction.

Turbomachine with a pylon attachment location along the circumferential direction
Unducted rotor assembly with multiple unducted rotor blades
Outlet guide vanes positioned downstream of the rotor blades, including a specific number of vanes
First and second outlet guide vanes with a defined gap spacing
Pylon attachment location positioned outside the gap spacing along the circumferential direction

Potential Applications: - Aircraft propulsion systems - Gas turbine engines - Aerospace industry

Problems Solved: - Improved engine efficiency - Enhanced aerodynamic performance - Reduced noise levels

Benefits: - Increased thrust - Lower fuel consumption - Quieter operation

Commercial Applications: Title: "Advanced Turbofan Engine Technology for Aerospace Applications" This technology can be used in commercial aircraft, military jets, and unmanned aerial vehicles, offering improved performance and fuel efficiency in the aviation industry.

Questions about the technology: 1. How does the positioning of the outlet guide vanes impact the engine's performance?

  The specific positioning of the outlet guide vanes helps optimize airflow and enhance aerodynamic efficiency in the turbofan engine.

2. What advantages does an unducted rotor assembly offer compared to traditional ducted rotor designs?

  An unducted rotor assembly can provide higher thrust levels and improved fuel efficiency due to reduced aerodynamic losses.

Original Abstract Submitted

A turbofan engine defining a circumferential direction is provided. The turbofan engine includes: a turbomachine, the turbomachine defining a pylon attachment location along the circumferential direction; an unducted rotor assembly drivingly coupled to the turbomachine, the unducted rotor assembly including a plurality of unducted rotor blades; and a plurality of outlet guide vanes positioned downstream of the plurality of unducted rotor blades, the plurality of outlet guide vanes including Nnumber of outlet guide vanes, the plurality of outlet guide vanes including a first outlet guide vane and a second outlet guide vane adjacent the first outlet guide vane, the first and second outlet guide vanes defining a gap spacing greater than 360 degrees divided by N, and the pylon attachment location positioned outside of between the first and second outlet guide vanes along the circumferential direction.