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A nonlinearly stacked low noise turbofan stator vane having a characteristic curve that is characterized by a nonlinear sweep and a nonlinear lean is provided. The stator is in an axial fan or compressor turbomachinery stage that is comprised of a collection of vanes whose highly three-dimensional s

A nonlinearly stacked low noise turbofan stator vane having a characteristic curve that is characterized by a nonlinear sweep and a nonlinear lean is provided. The stator is in an axial fan or compressor turbomachinery stage that is comprised of a collection of vanes whose highly three-dimensional shape is selected to reduce rotor-stator and rotor-strut interaction noise while maintaining the aerodynamic and mechanical performance of the vane. The nonlinearly stacked low noise turbofan stator vane reduces noise associated with the fan stage of turbomachinery to improve environmental compatibility

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What is claimed is: 1. A stator vane for use in a gas turbine engine, the vane having a curved shape comprising: a hub point; a shroud point; and a curved portion connecting the hub point and the shroud point, the curved portion described by a (i) nonlinear sweep curve that begins at the hub point

What is claimed is: 1. A stator vane for use in a gas turbine engine, the vane having a curved shape comprising: a hub point; a shroud point; and a curved portion connecting the hub point and the shroud point, the curved portion described by a (i) nonlinear sweep curve that begins at the hub point and terminates at the shroud point, the shroud point displaced axially aft relative to the hub point in the sweep curve and (ii) a nonlinear lean curve that begins at the hub point and terminates at the shroud point, the shroud point displaced circumferentially relative to the hub point in the lean curve, wherein the nonlinear sweep curve and the nonlinear lean curve are each characterized by fourth order or higher polynomial equations. 2. The stator vane according to claim 1 wherein the curved shape defines a leading edge of the vane, a trailing edge of the vane, a center of gravity curve of the vane, or a mid chord curve of the vane. 3. The stator vane according to claim 1 wherein the gas turbine engine defines a direction of rotor rotation, and wherein the nonlinear lean curve slopes against the direction of rotor rotation near the hub point and slopes with the direction of rotor rotation near the shroud point. 4. The stator vane according to claim 1 wherein the curved portion has a radial length beginning at the hub point and terminating at the shroud point, and wherein the nonlinear lean curve, within the first one third radial length from the hub point, has a slope that is less than the negative of the slope of the lean curve where the slopes are taken at the same radial position. 5. The stator vane according to claim 1 wherein the gas turbine engine defines a direction of rotor rotation, and wherein the nonlinear lean curve slopes against the direction of rotor rotation near the hub point and wherein the nonlinear sweep curve slopes at a lower angle, near the hub point than near the shroud point. 6. The stator vane according to claim 1 wherein the nonlinear lean curve lies within a cone of-30 and +30 degree angles relative to a radial line beginning from the hub point of the lean curve. 7. The stator vane according to claim 1 wherein the shroud point is positioned at least 1 inch aft of the hub point in the axial direction. 8. The stator vane according to claim 1 wherein the shroud point is positioned at least 1 inch circumferentially positively relative to the hub point. 9. The stator vane according to claim 1 wherein the nonlinear sweep curve has a positive slope at all points on the curve. 10. The stator vane according to claim 1 wherein the nonlinear sweep curve lies below the line connecting the hub point and the shroud point in the first third of the curve arc length measured from the hub point. 11. A low noise stator vane for use in a gas turbine engine positioned downstream of a rotor assembly, the vane comprising: a leading edge which defines a leading edge curve having a leading edge sweep and a leading edge lean, the leading edge sweep and the leading edge lean each being nonlinear curves; and a trailing edge which defines a trailing edge curve having a trailing edge sweep and a trailing edge lean, the trailing edge sweep and the trailing edge lean each being nonlinear curves, wherein the leading edge sweep and the leading edge lean are each characterized by fourth order or higher polynomial equations, which may be different. 12. The stator vane according to claim 11 wherein the leading edge sweep begins at a hub point and terminates at a shroud point such that the shroud point is positioned axially aft of the hub point. 13. The stator vane according to claim 12 wherein the leading edge lean begins at the hub point and terminates at the shroud point such that the shroud point is positioned circumferentially in a positive direction relative to the hub point. 14. The stator vane according to claim 11 wherein the leading edge lean lies within a cone of about-30 and about +30 degree angles relative to a radial line beginning from a hub point of the leading edge lean curve. 15. The stator vane according to claim 11 wherein the leading edge lean transitions from a negative tangential slope to a positive tangential slope as a tangent point on the leading edge lean curve moves radially outwardly from a hub point of the leading edge lean curve to a shroud point.