IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,851,655
Granted Patent B2
US 10,851,655 · App. 15/898,973 · Granted Dec 1, 2020

Fan

Inventor: Gabriel Gonzalez-Gutierrez (Derby, GB)
Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
F01D5/16F01D5/10F01D5/147F01D5/282F01D5/288F02C3/04F04D29/324F04D29/666F04D29/668F05D2220/32F05D2220/36F05D2240/303F05D2260/96F05D2260/961F05D2300/133Y02T50/672Y02T50/673
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,851,655
App. No.
15/898,973
Granted
Dec 1, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

A fan for a gas turbine engine, the fan comprising a first set of fan blades and a second set of fan blades arranged circumferentially around a hub. Each of the fan blades of the first and second set comprises an organic matrix composite body and a leading edge member connected to the body. The leading edge member of the first set of fan blades has a mass less than the leading edge member of the second set of fan blades.

Claims (18)

1. A fan for a gas turbine engine, the fan comprising:

a first set of fan blades and a second set of fan blades arranged circumferentially around a hub,

each of the fan blades of the first and second set comprises an organic matrix composite body and a leading edge member connected to the body,

wherein the leading edge member of the first set of fan blades has a mass less than the leading edge member of the second set of fan blades,

wherein a leading edge region of the first set of fan blades and a leading edge region of the second set of fan blades have a same exterior shape,

wherein the mass of a radially inner portion of the leading edge member of the blades of the first set of blades is less than the mass of a radially inner portion of the leading edge member of the blades of the second set of blades, wherein the radially inner portion extends from a mid-spanwise location to a root of the blade, and

wherein the mass of the leading edge member of the second set of fan blades is increased by providing a leading edge member with a greater volume in the region of greater mass than the fan blades of the first set.

2. The fan according to claim 1 , wherein the blades of the first set and of the second set have the same gas washed surface area, shape and profile.

3. The fan according to claim 1 , wherein the volume of the leading edge member of the first set of fan blades is smaller than the volume of the leading edge member of the second set of fan blades.

4. The fan according to claim 1 , wherein the mass of a radially outer portion of the leading edge member of the first set is the same as the mass of a radially outer portion of the leading edge member of the second set, the radially outer portion of the leading edge member extends from a mid-spanwise location of the blade to a tip of the blade.

5. The fan according to claim 1 , wherein the mass of a root portion of the leading edge member of the first set is less than the mass of a root portion of the leading edge member of the blades of the second set, the root portion extending from a spanwise location that is 30% of the total span of the blade to a root of the blade.

6. The fan according to claim 1 , wherein the leading edge member of the first set and the second set comprises a forward portion that defines a leading edge of the blade, a wing that extends from the forward portion along a suction side of the blade and a wing that extends from the forward portion along a pressure side of the blade, and wherein the forward portion of the first set of blades has a lower mass or volume than the forward portion of the second set of blades.

7. The fan according to claim 1 , wherein the leading edge member of the first set and the second set comprises a forward portion that defines a leading edge of the blade, a wing that extends from the forward portion along a suction side of the blade and a wing that extends from the forward portion along a pressure side of the blade, and wherein the wings of the first set of blades have a lower mass or volume than the wings of the second set of blades.

8. The fan according to claim 1 , wherein the leading edge member is made from a metallic material.

9. The fan according to claim 8 , wherein the leading edge member is made from steel, titanium or a titanium alloy.

10. The fan according to claim 1 , wherein the body is made from a carbon reinforced resin matrix material.

11. The fan according to claim 1 , wherein the blades of the first set and of the second set have the same gas washed surface area, shape and profile and wherein the volume of the leading edge member of the first set of fan blades is smaller than the volume of the leading edge member of the second set of fan blades.

12. A gas turbine engine comprising the fan according to claim 1 .

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 19, 2018
From: GONZALEZ-GUTIERREZ, GABRIEL
To: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
Reel/Frame 044966/0153 →
Priority Claims (1)
GB 1702698.0 · Feb 20, 2017 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20180238174A1 · Aug 23, 2018
Cited By (3)
US 12,410,715 US 12,612,926 US 12,669,060