Vane array structure with recessed stator vanes

An apparatus for a gas turbine engine, comprising:

• a vane array structure including a first platform, a second platform, a plurality of vanes and a flowpath extending longitudinally through the vane array structure, the first platform forming a first peripheral boundary of the flowpath, the second platform forming a second peripheral boundary of the flowpath, each of the plurality of vanes extending across the flowpath between the first platform and the second platform, and the plurality of vanes including a first vane and a second vane disposed longitudinally next to the first vane along the flowpath;
• the first vane extending spanwise along a span line from the first platform to the second platform, the first vane extending chordwise along a chord line between a leading edge and a trailing edge, and the first vane extending laterally between a first side and a second side;
• and
• the first vane having a chordwise length, the chordwise length having a first value at an intermediate point along the span line, the chordwise length having a second value at a first end point adjacent the first platform, and the chordwise length having a third value at a second end point adjacent the second platform, wherein the second value is less than the first value and the third value, such that a recess projects spanwise into the first vane adjacent the first platform to a recess end,
• wherein the recess end has a compound geometry from the trailing edge to the first end, the compound geometry comprising at least two intersecting straight line segments and a recess height that is uniform chordwise along a portion of the recess.

An apparatus for a gas turbine engine, comprising:

• a vane array structure including a first platform, a second platform, a plurality of vanes and a flowpath extending longitudinally through the vane array structure, the first platform forming a first peripheral boundary of the flowpath, the second platform forming a second peripheral boundary of the flowpath, each of the plurality of vanes extending across the flowpath from the first platform to the second platform, a first set of the plurality of vanes arranged into a first array about a centerline, a second set of the plurality of vanes arranged into a second array about the centerline, and the second array disposed longitudinally next to the first array along the flowpath;
• the first set of the plurality of vanes comprising a first vane, and the second set of the plurality of vanes comprising a second vane;
• the first vane including a first airfoil and a first recess projecting into the first airfoil from a trailing edge of the first airfoil, and the first recess adjacent the first platform;
• and
• the second vane including a second airfoil and a second recess projecting into the second airfoil from a trailing edge of the second airfoil, and the second recess adjacent the first platform,
• wherein the first recess projects spanwise into the first airfoil to a first recess end,
• wherein the second recess projects spanwise into the second airfoil to a second recess end, and
• wherein the first recess end or the second recess end has a compound geometry from a respective trailing edge to a respective first end, the compound geometry comprising at least two intersecting straight line segments and a recess height that is uniform chordwise along a portion of the first recess or the second recess.