Aerofoil blade damper

Abstract

An aerofoil blade damper comprising an elongate member which is inserted within a core passage of the blade and extends within the blade with the damper retained therein at one end which is closest to the blade root with the remainder of the damper free to move relative to and within the passage; such movement generating friction which dissipates any vibration. The damper comprises a plate insert including at least two discrete substantially oppositely directed contact regions which are arranged, in use, to frictionally engage the passage. The discrete contact regions may be provided by protrusions in the form of contact pads or arms extending from the plate or be provided by the corrugations of the plate. A contact load on the contact regions is provided by the resilience of the damper, an interference fit of the damper and/or centrifugal loading of the damper and contact regions during operation.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.