Weight balanced rotor blade with thermoplastic composite weight
AssigneeRohr, Inc.
InventorsDaniel O. Ursenbach, Nathaniel M. Gray
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A rotor blade is provided that includes an airfoil extending spanwise from a base to a tip. The airfoil extends longitudinally (e.g., chordwise) from a leading edge to a trailing edge. The airfoil extends laterally between a first side and a second side. The airfoil includes a body and a weight. The body includes a plurality of body layers. Each of the body layers includes fiber reinforcement within a body thermoplastic matrix. The weight includes a weight layer embedded within the body. The weight layer includes metal powder within a weight thermoplastic matrix.
Claims16
A rotor blade, comprising:
- an airfoil extending spanwise from a base to a tip, the airfoil extending longitudinally from a leading edge to a trailing edge, the airfoil extending laterally between a first side and a second side, and the airfoil including a body and a weight;
- the body comprising a plurality of body layers, each of the plurality of body layers including fiber reinforcement within a body thermoplastic matrix;
- and
- the weight comprising a weight layer embedded within the body, the weight layer including metal powder within a weight thermoplastic matrix;
- wherein the weight layer is configured without fiber reinforcement.
A rotor blade, comprising:
- an airfoil extending spanwise from a base to a tip, the airfoil extending longitudinally from a leading edge to a trailing edge, the airfoil extending laterally between a first side and a second side, and the airfoil including a body and a weight;
- the body comprising a body thermoplastic matrix and fiber reinforcement within the body thermoplastic matrix;
- and
- the weight fused to the body, the weight comprising a weight thermoplastic matrix and metal filler material within the weight thermoplastic matrix, and the weight configured without fiber reinforcement.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.