Abstract:
A fan blade is disclosed comprising a lightweight metallic airfoil portion and a high-strength sheath portion. The airfoil portion has a forward airfoil edge, a first airfoil surface, and a second airfoil surface. The sheath portion has a sheath head section, a first sheath flank, and a second sheath flank, both flanks extending chordwise from the forward sheath section. The sheath portion is bonded to the airfoil portion such that the sheath head section covers the forward airfoil edge, defining a blade leading edge. The first sheath flank covers a portion of the first airfoil surface proximate the airfoil forward edge, jointly defining a blade suction surface. The second sheath flank covers a portion of the second airfoil surface proximate the airfoil forward edge, jointly defining a blade pressure surface.Fig 2.
Abstract:
A non-burning Ti-V-Cr alloy which is heat treated to decrease its susceptibility to embrittlement in gas turbine engine compressor applications. The invention heat treat cycle consists of an isothermal holding period below the alpha solvus temperature, a slow ramp down to a lower temperature, a second holding period at a lower temperature, a third ramp down to an even lower temperature, and a final holding period at the third temperature. Other suitable heat treat cycles within the concept of the invention include a single holding period below the alpha solvus temperature double holding periods below the alpha solvus temperature with a ramp from a higher to a lower temperature and a continuous ramp below the alpha solvus temperature with no holding period.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates generally to a fan blade assembly. In an embodiment, the fan blade assembly includes an airfoil having a forward edge covered by a sheath. The airfoil and the sheath are made from dissimilar conductive materials. A nonconductive coating is applied to at least one of the sheath receiving surface of the airfoil and/or the airfoil contact surface of the sheath before the sheath is bonded to the airfoil.
Abstract:
A fan blade comprises an airfoil portion and a sheath portion. The sheath portion has a sheath head section, a first sheath flank, and a second sheath flank, both flanks extending chordwise from the forward sheath section. The sheath portion is bonded to the airfoil portion such that the sheath head section covers the forward airfoil edge, defining a blade leading edge. The first sheath flank covers a portion of the first airfoil surface proximate the airfoil forward edge, jointly defining a blade suction surface. The second sheath flank covers a portion of the second airfoil surface proximate the airfoil forward edge, jointly defining a blade pressure surface. The first metallic material is an aluminum alloy containing between about 0.5 wt% and about 3.0 wt% of lithium.
Abstract:
A blade comprises an airfoil extending from a trailing edge to a leading edge. The airfoil includes a body formed of an aluminum containing material. A sheath is at the leading edge and is formed of a titanium containing material. A sandwich is positioned intermediate the sheath and the airfoil body, the sandwich including an outer adhesive layer adjacent the sheath, an intermediate fabric layer and an inner adhesive layer adjacent the body. A gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A method for manufacturing a protective sheath for a fan blade leading edge is described. The method may comprise generating a preform plate from a stock plate wherein the preform plate has a flattened surface and an inclined surface having a spike flanked by a first side and a second side. The method may further comprise bending the first side and the second side away from the spike to generate a sheath intermediate followed by generating the protective sheath from the sheath intermediate by shaping an outer surface and an inner surface of the sheath intermediate to match the contour of the fan blade leading edge.
Abstract:
An electroformed sheath for protecting an airfoil includes a sheath body and a mandrel insert is provided. The sheath body includes a leading edge. The sheath body includes a pressure side wall and an opposed suction side wall, which side walls meet at the leading edge and extend away from the leading edge to define a cavity between the side walls. The sheath body includes a head section between the leading edge and the cavity. The mandrel insert is positioned between the pressure side and suction side walls, and includes a generally wedge-shaped geometry. A method for protecting an airfoil includes: 1) securing a mandrel insert to a mandrel; 2) electroplating a sheath body onto the mandrel and the mandrel insert; 3) removing the mandrel from the sheath body so that a sheath cavity is defined within the sheath body; and 4) securing the airfoil within the sheath cavity.
Abstract:
An airfoil member (100) comprising has a substrate (120) along at least a portion of an airfoil (102) of the airfoil member. A sheath (122) has a channel (144) receiving a portion (160) of the substrate. A plurality of separate spacers (320; 380; 400) are between the sheath and the substrate and have a plurality of gaps between the spacers.