Platform apparatus for propulsion rotor

1. A platform apparatus for use with a propulsion rotor of the type including an annular array of airfoils carried by a rotor disk, the platform apparatus comprising:

at least one forward segment comprising an arcuate forward body having a plurality of spaced-apart axially-extending forward fingers, each of the forward fingers bounded by a curved first lateral edge and a straight second lateral edge, the first and second lateral edges being interconnected by an aft edge wherein the forward segment defines a flow path surface and an opposed back surface;

at least one aft segment comprising an arcuate aft body having a plurality of spaced-apart axially-extending aft fingers, each of the aft fingers bounded by a curved first lateral edge and a straight second lateral edge, the first and second lateral edges being interconnected by a forward edge, wherein the aft segment defines a flow path surface and an opposed back surface, and wherein the aft edges have a shape complementary to a shape of the forward edges; and

a plurality of fillers each having a straight first lateral edge and a curved second lateral edge.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the forward and aft edges include complementary interlocking structures.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of forward body and the aft body forms a 360-degree ring.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the forward body and the aft body includes a support member extending from the back surface thereof.

5. A propulsion rotor apparatus, comprising:

a rotatable rotor disk;

a plurality of airfoils arrayed around the disk, such that a plurality of spaces are defined between adjacent airfoils, each airfoil having spaced-apart pressure and suction sides extending radially in span from a root to a tip, and extending axially in chord between spaced-apart leading and trailing edges; and

a platform apparatus including:

at least one forward segment comprising an arcuate forward body having a plurality of spaced-apart axially-extending forward fingers, each of the forward fingers bounded by a curved first lateral edge that abuts one of the airfoils, and a straight second lateral edge, the first and second lateral edges being interconnected by an aft edge, wherein the forward segment defines a flow path surface and an opposed back surface;

at least one aft segment comprising an arcuate aft body having a plurality of spaced-apart actually-extending aft fingers, each of the aft fingers bounded by a curved first lateral edge that abuts one of the airfoils, and a straight second lateral edge, the first and second lateral edges being interconnected by a forward edge, wherein the aft segment defines a flow path surface and an opposed back surface, and wherein the forward and aft edges have complementary shapes and abut each other; and

a plurality of fillers each having a straight first lateral edge abutting the second lateral edges of corresponding forward and aft fingers, and a curved second lateral edge abutting one of the blades.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein each forward finger has a greater width at its intersection with the forward body than at the aft edge.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein each aft finger has a greater width at its intersection with the aft body then at the forward edge.

8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the forward and aft edges include complementary features forming an interlocking joint.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the interlocking joint is a tongue-and-groove joint.

10. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the body of each of the segments includes a support member extending from the back surface thereof which is coupled to the rotor disk.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein each support member includes a slot which engages a clip which is connected to the rotor disk.

12. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the platform apparatus includes a single forward segment, the body of which is a 360-degree ring.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the forward segment includes an arcuate support ring formed on the body opposite the fingers.

14. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the platform apparatus includes a single aft segment, the body of which is a 360° ring.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the aft segment includes an arcuate extension extending radially inboard from the back surface of the aft body.

16. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein at least one of the fillers is connected to one of the aft bodies by means of a bracket.

17. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein at least one of the fillers comprises a resilient material.

18. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein at least one of the fillers includes a resilient material and a stiffener.

19. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein at least one of the fillers includes a resilient material and extends beyond the forward edge of the aft finger.