INTEGRATED OUTER FLOWPATH DUCTING AND FRONT FRAME SYSTEM FOR USE IN A TURBOFAN ENGINE AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME

摘要

A system and method is provided for an integrated aircraft turbofan engine outer flowpath ducting and front frame that minimizes assembly interfaces and reduces overall aircraft engine weight. The system and method provide an integrated turbofan engine outer flowpath ducting and front frame system that decouples the fairing/aerodynamic duties from the struts/weight bearing duties thereby enabling efficient distribution of mechanical load.

主权项

1. An outer flowpath ducting and front frame system in a turbofan engine, the engine outer flowpath ducting and front frame system comprising:
a load housing comprising a primary composite load path circumferentially surrounding an engine centerline and defining the outer flowpath; and a front frame assembly centered within the load housing and configured to i) direct air through the outer flowpath, and ii) bear weight, the front frame assembly detachably coupled to the load housing.