Blades
AssigneeROLLS-ROYCE plc
InventorsChristopher M Whitehead, Simon Read
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Percussive impacts due to bird strikes upon the hollow fan blades 20 are a well known problem. These percussive impacts not only deform previous fan blades but also reduce their stiffness. In accordance with the present invention, hollow fan blades 20 incorporate a cavity 23 within which, a matrix 24 with embedded expandable elements 25, is located. Thus, upon a percussive impact these expandable elements 25 are released in order to create an internal pressure within the cavity 25 which acts outwardly in order to relieve deformation and also stiffen the blade 20 as a result of the over pressure within the cavity 23.
Claims34
A blade for a gas turbine engine, the blade having a hollow cavity, the hollow cavity incorporating releasable bias means to present outward pressure when subjected to significant percussive load, wherein the releasable bias means comprising a matrix incorporating rupturable elements which rupture in use upon percussive load to provide the outward pressure wherein said rupturable elements are reactive and wherein said reactive rupturable elements release upon rupture reactants in order to react with other reactants from other reactive rupturable elements in order to provide the outward pressure.
A blade for a gas turbine engine, the blade having a hollow cavity, the hollow cavity incorporating releasable bias means to present outward pressure when subjected to significant percussive load, wherein the releasable bias means comprises a matrix incorporating rupturable elements which rupture in use upon percussive load to provide outward pressure, these rupturable elements are reactive, wherein the reactive rupturable elements release upon rupture two reactants in order to react in order to provide outward pressure.
A blade for a gas turbine engine, the blade having a hollow cavity, the hollow cavity incorporating releasable bias means to present outward pressure when subjected to significant percussive load, wherein the releasable bias means comprises a matrix incorporating rupturable elements which rupture in use upon percussive load to provide outward pressure, the reactive rupturable elements contain reactants, wherein the reactive rupturable elements release upon rupture reactants in order to generate a foam in order to provide the outward pressure.
A blade for a gas turbine engine, the blade having a hollow cavity, the hollow cavity incorporating releasable bias means to present outward pressure when subjected to significant percussive load, wherein the releasable bias means comprises a matrix incorporating rupturable elements which rupture in use upon percussive load to provide outward pressure, the reactive rupturable elements contain reactants, wherein the reactive rupturable elements release upon rupture reactants in order to react in order to provide the outward pressure.
A blade for a gas turbine engine, the blade having a hollow cavity, the hollow cavity incorporating releasable bias means to present outward pressure when subjected to significant percussive load, wherein the releasable bias means comprises a matrix incorporating rupturable elements which rupture in use upon percussive load to provide outward pressure, these rupturable elements are reactive, wherein the reactive rupturable elements release upon rupture reactants in order to react with said matrix in order to provide the outward pressure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.