# US 9,039,376 B2 · Support ring for a rotary assembly

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- Number: US 9,039,376 B2
- Document ID: US9039376B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/653,780
- Filed: 2012-10-17
- Published: 2013-04-25
- Granted: 2015-05-26
- Earliest claimed: 2011-10-25
- Assignees: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
- Applicants: Rolls-Royce PLC
- Inventors: Kenneth Franklin Udall; Kenneth John Mackie
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9039376B2

## CPC

- B64C 11/06: for variable-pitch blades
- F01D 5/3023: {of radial insertion type, e.g. in individual recesses}
- B64D 2027/005: {Aircraft with an unducted turbofan comprising contra-rotating rotors, e.g. contra-rotating open rotors [CROR]}
- F05D 2260/94: Functionality given by mechanical stress related aspects such as low cycle fatigue [LCF] of high cycle fatigue [HCF]
- Y02T 50/60: Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft
- B64C: AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS
- F01D: NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES (machines or engines for liquids F03; non-positive displacement pumps F04D)
- B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS
- Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION

## Abstract

A support ring for a rotary assembly such as a propeller assembly includes support cups for receiving blade roots of propeller blades. The support cups are interconnected by bridging structures. Each bridging structure includes bridging walls which extend radially from a bridging web. The bridging structures thus have a channel-shaped cross-section. The bridging walls have a scalloped configuration at their radially outer edges. As a result of this configuration, the neutral axes of the bridging structures are straight, so that the support ring behaves, in structural terms, as a polygon.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A support ring for a rotary assembly, the support ring comprising a ring body having a circumferential array of support cups interconnected by bridging structures, the support cups opening at a radially outer face of the support ring and each bridging structure having a channel-shaped cross-section comprising axially spaced apart bridging walls which extend outwardly, with respect to the ring axis, from a bridging web, wherein each support cup has a radially inner end wall which lies substantially in the same circumferential plane as the bridging webs.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A support ring as claimed in claim 1, in which each bridging structure has a substantially straight neutral axis in the hoop direction of the ring, whereby the ring forms a polygonal structure.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

A support ring as claimed in claim 2, in which the bridging walls have radially outer edges which are concavely curved as viewed along the axis of the support ring.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A support ring as claimed in claim 1, in which the bridging walls adjoin the support cups over substantially the full radial height of the support cups.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A support ring as claimed in claim 1, in which each support cup has a substantially circular cross-section and the bridging walls extend substantially tangentially to side walls of the support cups.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A support ring as claimed in claim 1, in which the radially inner end wall has a central aperture.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

A support ring as claimed in claim 1, in which the radially inner end wall has a region of increased thickness surrounding the aperture.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

A support ring as claimed in claim 1, in which a circumferential drive flange extends axially outwardly of the ring body.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

A support ring as claimed in claim 8, in which apertures are provided in the drive flange.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

A support ring as claimed in claim 9, in which the apertures are situated at the same angular positions as the support cups.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

A support ring as claimed in claim 8, in which a circumferential catcher drive flange is provided which extends axially or radially of the ring body to a clearance attachment.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

A support ring as claimed in claim 1, in which bracing webs extend between the bridging walls of each bridging structure.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

A support ring as claimed in claim 12, in which the bracing webs intersect the support cups at or between the bridging walls.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

A support ring as claimed in claim 1, in which the bridging structure has reduced thickness or apertures at regions of low stress.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

A propeller assembly comprising a support ring in accordance with claim 1.