Abstract:
A blade containment structure for turbomachinery, such as a high bypass turbofan engine. The blade containment structure includes a first casing member having a wall that defines an inner containment shell that immediately surrounds the blades of the turbomachine, and a second casing member assembled to the first casing member. The second casing member has a wall that defines an outer containment shell that surrounds the inner containment shell, such that a cavity is defined by and between the inner and outer containment shells. The first casing member is formed from a high-toughness material such as steel or a nickel-base alloy, while the second casing member is formed from a lower-weight and potentially lower-toughness material as compared to the material of the first casing member.
Abstract:
Metal alloy fan blades reinforced with a metal matrix composite for enhancing stiffness of the fan blades without a significant weight penalty, and which are suitable for use in high bypass turbofan engines. The metal matrix composite is bonded to each fan blade near its root so as to increase stiffness and thereby provide frequency and stability control to the fan blades. As a result, a lower engine weight can be realized by using more fan blades without the need for a part span shroud.
Abstract:
A turbofan gas turbine engine fan stage having alternating relatively rugged, preferably hollow titanium, blades and staggered relatively less rugged, preferably composite, blades. The blades are staggered such that the leading edges of the rugged titanium blades are positioned forward of the leading edges of the less rugged composite blades. One embodiment provides that all fan blades have trailing edges at the same axial position while another embodiment provides that all fan blades are of the same size and shape.
Abstract:
A detachable support structure for a large turbine aircraft engine having a nacelle which is attached to an auxiliary support frame. The auxiliary support frame has an upper portion which is attached to an upper portion of the nacelle. The auxiliary support frame has a lower portion which is detachable from the upper portion of the auxiliary frame. The lower portion of the auxiliary frame is connected to a lower portion of the nacelle, the lower portion of the nacelle being detachable from the upper portion of the nacelle. By removing the lower portion of the nacelle and the lower portion of the auxiliary support frame, the thrust producing section of the turbine engine can be removed intact.
Abstract:
A containment system for wide chord turbofan fan blades, the system having a containment housing which forms a nesting area to accommodate broken blades and blade parts. Connected to the containment housing and constituting a part of the nesting area are structural rings which are positioned so that centrifugal forces will direct the larger blade fragments to impact upon the structural rings causing the large blade fragments to break into smaller fragments which are then easily housed in the nesting area, thus reducing the required area of the nesting area and minimizing the weight of the containment system.
Abstract:
A structure for removing bending caused by an inlet lift load in the engine core of an aircraft having a support frame which is attached to a frame mount which connects to the pylon floor. The frame mount is located between a forward mount and a rear mount and to the front of the engine core. As a result of the frame mount, the moment created by the inlet lift load is not reacted through the engine core so engine performance is not affected.
Abstract:
In an aircraft propeller which can change in pitch, each propeller blade is mounted upon a hinge, which reduces the effective stiffness of each blade. The angle of the hinge pin can be constructed such that the angle between torsional and flexural nodes is favorable.
Abstract:
A vane frame for a turbomachine and a method for minimizing the weight of a vane frame. The vane frame includes an inner shroud made up of a plurality of inner shroud segments, an outer shroud circumscribing the inner shroud and made up of a plurality of outer shroud segments, and guide vanes structurally interconnecting the inner and outer shrouds. The guide vanes include a plurality of first guide vanes between and connecting first pairs of the inner and outer shroud segments, and a plurality of second guide vanes between and connecting second pairs of the inner and outer shroud segments. The first and second guide vanes are formed of different first and second materials, respectively, with the first material having lower strength, modulus, and/or density than the second material. The structural interconnection between the inner and outer shrouds is dominated by the second guide vanes.
Abstract:
An actuation system for variable stator vanes pivotally mounted in a casing includes a plurality of levers joined to the respective vanes. An actuation ring coaxially surrounds the casing adjacent to the levers. A plurality of circumferentially spaced apart ring guides are joined to the casing for guiding circumferential rotation of the ring. Respective slip joints are provided between each of the levers and the actuation ring for varying pivot length of the levers as the ring is rotated for effecting nonlinear vane actuation.
Abstract:
A fan blade includes a metal airfoil having first and second opposite sides extending radially between a root and tip, and axially between a leading edge and a trailing edge. The airfoil further includes a plurality of pockets disposed in the first side and separated by corresponding ribs. A filler is bonded in the pocket, and is coextensive with the airfoil first side. Radial and diagonal ribs respectively intersect solely each other for selectively increasing torsional and bending stiffness to increase frequency margin between adjacent torsional and bending resonant modes of vibration.