US 12,292,056 B2
Segmented variable fan outlet guide vane with gear assembly
Robert W. Heeter, Indianapolis, IN (US); Daniel E. Molnar, Jr., Indianapolis, IN (US); and Gregory J. Hebert, Indianapolis, IN (US)
Assigned to Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., Indianapolis, IN (US)
Filed by Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., Indianapolis, IN (US)
Filed on Mar. 8, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/600,610.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/452,895, filed on Mar. 17, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0309886 A1, Sep. 19, 2024
Int. Cl. F04D 29/54 (2006.01); F01D 17/16 (2006.01); F04D 19/00 (2006.01)
CPC F04D 29/542 (2013.01) [F01D 17/162 (2013.01); F04D 19/002 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fan assembly for a gas turbine engine the fan assembly comprising
a fan duct arranged circumferentially around a central axis,
a fan comprising a plurality of fan blades that extend radially outward relative to the central axis and that are adapted to rotate about the central axis to force fan exit air toward an aft end of the fan duct, and
an outlet guide vane assembly located in the fan duct axially downstream of the fan and configured to adjust a direction of incoming fan exit air received from the plurality of fan blades and reduce incidence between the outlet guide vane assembly and the fan exit air, the outlet guide vane assembly including
a first variable leading edge outlet guide vane that extends radially relative to the central axis and includes a leading edge portion and a fixed aft portion, the leading edge portion including a first tip segment configured to rotate about a leading edge pitch axis and a first hub segment located radially inward of and separate from the first tip segment, the first hub segment configured to independently rotate about the leading edge pitch axis relative to the first tip segment, the first tip segment including a first plurality of gear teeth arranged thereon, the first hub segment including a second plurality of gear teeth arranged thereon, and
a first actuation assembly including a first actuation rod, a first gear assembly coupled to the first actuation rod and in engagement with the first plurality of gear teeth of the first tip segment, and a second gear assembly coupled to the first actuation rod and in engagement with the second plurality of gear teeth of the first hub segment, wherein the first actuation rod is configured to be selectively rotated so as to rotate the first and second gear assemblies, wherein rotation of the first gear assembly causes rotation of the first tip segment about the leading edge pitch axis to a first pitch angle relative to the incoming fan exit air, and wherein rotation of the second gear assembly causes rotation of the first hub segment about the leading edge pitch axis to a second pitch angle relative to the incoming fan exit air.