Composite airfoil with rolled fiberglass reinforced leading edge
First Claim
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1. A composite airfoil, comprising:
- an outer skin comprising one or more layers of carbon fiber composite material, the outer skin defining an aerodynamic surface having a leading edge; and
a reinforcement material comprising a roll of fiberglass reinforced fabric positioned behind the outer skin along at least a portion of the leading edge, wherein the roll of fiberglass reinforced fabric and the one or more layers of carbon fiber composite material are cured together to form the composite airfoil including a rotor blade, wherein the roll of fiberglass reinforced fabric has a varying thickness that defines the rotor blade varying in width along a longitudinal dimension of the rotor blade including a narrower section between two wider sections.
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Abstract
A composite airfoil is disclosed. In various embodiments, a composite airfoil as disclosed herein includes an outer skin comprising one or more layers of carbon fiber composite material, the outer skin defining an aerodynamic surface having a leading edge; and a reinforcement material comprising a roll of fiberglass reinforced fabric positioned behind the outer skin along at least a portion of the leading edge.
5 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A composite airfoil, comprising:
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an outer skin comprising one or more layers of carbon fiber composite material, the outer skin defining an aerodynamic surface having a leading edge; and a reinforcement material comprising a roll of fiberglass reinforced fabric positioned behind the outer skin along at least a portion of the leading edge, wherein the roll of fiberglass reinforced fabric and the one or more layers of carbon fiber composite material are cured together to form the composite airfoil including a rotor blade, wherein the roll of fiberglass reinforced fabric has a varying thickness that defines the rotor blade varying in width along a longitudinal dimension of the rotor blade including a narrower section between two wider sections. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A composite airfoil fabricated by a process comprising:
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stacking one or more layers of carbon fiber reinforced material in a mold associated with a shape of the composite airfoil; stacking one or more layers of fiberglass reinforced fabric; rolling the stacked fiberglass reinforced fabric to create a roll comprising fiberglass reinforced fabric, wherein the rolled fiberglass reinforced fabric has a varying thickness; positioning the rolled fiberglass reinforced fabric along at least a leading edge portion of the carbon fiber reinforced material stacked in the mold; and curing the carbon fiber reinforced material and the rolled fiberglass reinforced fabric under heat and pressure to form at least a portion of the composite airfoil including a rotor blade varying in width along a longitudinal dimension of the rotor blade including a narrower section between two wider sections. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification