Inlet cowl deflection limiting strut
AssigneeUnited Technologies Corporation
InventorsNigel David Sawyers-Abbott, Frederick M. Schwarz
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Abstract
A turbofan engine may comprise an inlet and a fan case coupled to the inlet. An engine case may be coupled to the fan case via a vane extending between the fan case and the engine case. A strut apparatus may extend from the fan case and limit deflection of the fan case. The strut apparatus may comprise a first end proximate the fan case, and a second end coupled to at least one of the engine case or a structure for mounting the turbofan engine to an aircraft.
Claims20
A strut apparatus for use with a turbofan engine, the strut apparatus comprising:
- a first end disposed proximate a fan case of the turbofan engine;
- and
- a second end coupled to a deflection resistant structure aft of the fan case.
A turbofan engine, comprising:
- an inlet;
- a fan case coupled to the inlet;
- an engine case coupled to the fan case via a vane extending between the fan case and the engine case;
- and
- a strut apparatus extending from the fan case, the strut apparatus comprising:
- a first end proximate the fan case;
- and
- a second end coupled to at least one of the engine case or a structure for mounting the turbofan engine to an aircraft.
A method for controlling a strut coupled to a fan case of a turbofan engine, comprising:
- receiving, from a sensor, sensor data usable to predict a temperature of a portion of the turbofan engine;
- predicting, by a controller, a current predicted temperature of the portion of the turbofan engine based on the sensor data;
- and
- controlling, by the controller, the strut to at least one of increase or decrease a strut length of the strut based on the current predicted temperature to reduce distortion of a centerline of a core of the turbofan engine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.