Boeing Patents Overwing Strut to Accommodate Next-Gen Engines

The Boeing Company has patented an overwing strut that can accommodate both open fans and conventional ducted turbofans on a single aircraft. The patent, titled 'Aircraft with Overwing Engine Position,' addresses a long-standing problem in engine design: the need for increased vertical clearance to accommodate larger engines.

The issue is particularly relevant to the next generation of single-aisle airliners, which will likely feature open fan engines that require more space. The Boeing patent proposes a strut that attaches to the underside of the wing and wraps over the top, allowing the engine to sit above the wing while keeping the upper skin clean.

The design is intended to provide a common platform for different engine types, enabling airframers to commit to an airframe without first betting on the engine. The patent also claims that the strut can accept both ducted high-bypass fans and open rotors.