Frangible gas turbine engine airfoil
First Claim
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1. An airfoil for an aircraft engine, the airfoil comprising:
- a plurality of composite plies extending in a chordwise direction from a leading edge to a trailing edge and in a spanwise direction between an airfoil tip and an airfoil base, wherein the airfoil defines an overall airfoil height between the airfoil base and airfoil tip, the plurality of composite plies including a first discontinuous ply includinga first ply segment,a second ply segment,a first butt joint disposed at a predetermined break location between the first ply segment and the second ply segment along a first fragment profile to frangibly attach the first and second ply segments, wherein the first butt joint is positioned at a first break height, the first break height being greater than 25% of the overall airfoil height, anda second butt joint extending through the airfoil along a second fragment profile, wherein the second butt joint is positioned at a second break height, the second break height being greater than 75% of the overall airfoil height, andthe plurality of composite plies including at least one inner continuous ply extending unbroken from the airfoil base to the airfoil tip,wherein the airfoil defines a first airfoil fragment extending from the airfoil base to the first fragment profile, a second airfoil fragment extending from the first fragment profile to the second fragment profile, and a third airfoil fragment extending from the second fragment profile to the airfoil tip, and wherein the airfoil is configured to separate into the fragments following an extreme impact event.
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Abstract
An airfoil for an aircraft engine is provided. The airfoil may include a plurality of composite plies extending in a chordwise direction from a leading edge to a trailing edge and in a spanwise direction between an airfoil tip and an airfoil base. The airfoil may include at least one discontinuous ply having a first ply segment, a second ply segment, and a butt joint disposed between the first ply segment and the second ply segment. The butt joint may be disposed along a first fragment profile to frangibly attach the first and second ply segments.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An airfoil for an aircraft engine, the airfoil comprising:
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a plurality of composite plies extending in a chordwise direction from a leading edge to a trailing edge and in a spanwise direction between an airfoil tip and an airfoil base, wherein the airfoil defines an overall airfoil height between the airfoil base and airfoil tip, the plurality of composite plies including a first discontinuous ply including a first ply segment, a second ply segment, a first butt joint disposed at a predetermined break location between the first ply segment and the second ply segment along a first fragment profile to frangibly attach the first and second ply segments, wherein the first butt joint is positioned at a first break height, the first break height being greater than 25% of the overall airfoil height, and a second butt joint extending through the airfoil along a second fragment profile, wherein the second butt joint is positioned at a second break height, the second break height being greater than 75% of the overall airfoil height, and the plurality of composite plies including at least one inner continuous ply extending unbroken from the airfoil base to the airfoil tip, wherein the airfoil defines a first airfoil fragment extending from the airfoil base to the first fragment profile, a second airfoil fragment extending from the first fragment profile to the second fragment profile, and a third airfoil fragment extending from the second fragment profile to the airfoil tip, and wherein the airfoil is configured to separate into the fragments following an extreme impact event. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A gas turbine engine defining a central axis, the gas turbine engine comprising:
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an engine shaft extending along the central axis; a compressor attached to the engine shaft and extending radially about the central axis; a combustor positioned downstream of the compressor to receive a compressed fluid therefrom; a turbine mounted on the engine shaft downstream of the combustor to provide a rotational force to the compressor; and a fan section including a plurality of radially-extending fan blades operably connected to the engine shaft, each fan blade including an airfoil comprising a plurality of composite plies extending in a chordwise direction from a leading edge to a trailing edge and in a spanwise direction between an airfoil tip and an airfoil base, wherein the airfoil defines an overall airfoil height between the airfoil base and airfoil tip, the plurality of composite plies including a first discontinuous ply including a first ply segment, a second ply segment, a first butt joint disposed at a predetermined break location between the first ply segment and the second ply segment along a first fragment profile to frangibly attach the first and second ply segments, wherein the first butt joint is positioned at a first break height, the first break height being greater than 25% of the overall airfoil height, and a second butt joint extending through the airfoil along a second fragment profile, wherein the second butt joint is positioned at a second break height, the second break height being greater than 75% of the overall airfoil height, and the plurality of composite plies including at least one inner continuous ply extending unbroken from the airfoil base to the airfoil tip, wherein the airfoil defines a first airfoil fragment extending from the airfoil base to the first fragment profile, a second airfoil fragment extending from the first fragment profile to the second fragment profile, and a third airfoil fragment extending from the second fragment profile to the airfoil tip, and wherein the airfoil is configured to separate into the fragments following an extreme impact event. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification