Turbofan hybrid metallic and plastic inlet case
US8206086B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 22, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jun 26, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 11, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF01D25/28
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An inlet case for a small gas turbine engine, where the inlet case is formed as a hybrid piece with a metallic inner shroud cylinder and plastic guide vanes and plastic outer shroud molded around the metallic inner shroud cylinder. The metallic inner shroud cylinder carries an electric generator and provides for a good convective heat transfer surface to carry heat away from the electric generator and into the inlet air flow entering the engine. The plastic guide vanes and outer shroud allow for a light weight inlet case assembly that is also much easier to form the airfoil shapes than a machined metallic inlet case. The plastic guide vanes and outer shroud are injection molded around the metallic inner shroud cylinder to produce a rigid single inlet case. The metallic cylinder includes axial extending slots that receive the lower ends of the guide vanes during the injection molding process.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.