Spacer structure

Abstract

A structure useable as a spacer. In a preferred embodiment, the spacer is eally suited (as one of a plurality of identical spacers) for use as a spacer between every two adjacent stator vanes of a stator vane ring of a multiple-stage fan of a gas turbofan engine. The spacer is in the form of a rectangular solid and comprises a metal face skin member having a curved aerodynamically configurated outer surface with a centrally-located longitudinally-positioned concavity which functions as a rib, and a backing pad member that is made of a molded polyethelene material with integral peripheral edge lip seals that are coated with a polyurethane material, and that is joined by its outer surface to the inner surface of the face skin member, with the backing pad member having an embedded rib skin stiffener positioned under, along, and in contact with the concavity in the face skin member. In the adaptation as a fan stator vane spacer, each spacer is releasably attached by novel means to the fan stator vane ring in the space on the ring between every two adjacent fan stator vanes, and is positioned in the fore-to-aft fan air flow such that the fan air flows over the curved aerodynamically configurated outer surface of the face skin member in the direction of the longitudinally-positioned concavity. In this adaptation, the spacer provides peripheral sealing, ice impact resistance, and face skin stability, and prevents or at least minimizes fan air flow 'short circuits' around vane ends and beneath the spacer.