US3873236A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fan with variable pitch blades and translating bearing actuation system
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1973-12-26
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Granted: 1975-03-25
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Expires: 1993-12-26
Abstract
Abstract A fan having variable-pitch blades is driven by the core engine of a gas turbine. The blades are mounted to a disc for rotation of the blades about their respective axes and the disc is mounted to a fan shaft. The fan shaft is mounted for rotation by a casing. A plurality of track members are secured to the casing and each track member has a carriage mounted thereto for relative axial movement therebetween. A bearing has its outer race secured to the carriages, with its inner race cooperating through a plurality of link arms with the blades. Actuation means moves the carriages axially, the link arms changing the pitch of the blades in response to axial movement of the carriages.
Inventors
- 👤 William Gall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 13:32
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01D; F01D7/00; F05; F05D; F05D2220/00; F05D2220/30; F05D2220/36; F05D2250/00; F05D2250/30; F05D2250/34; F05D2260/00; F05D2260/70; F05D2260/74; F05D2260/76; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T50/00; Y02T50/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A fan of the type used in a gas turbine having a core engine driving the fan through a fan shaft, the fan comprising: a. a plurality of variable-pitch blades mounted to said fan shaft; b. an annular casing for mounting said fan shaft for rotation; c. track means spaced radially from said fan shaft and cooperating with said casing; d. a bearing cooperating with said track means, wherein said bearing includes a first bearing race axially movable relative to said track means and a second bearing race; and e. linkage means for cooperating with said second bearing race aNd said variable-pitch blades wherein said linkage means varies the pitch of said blades in response to axial movement of said first bearing race relative to said track means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
A fan of the type used in a gas turbine having a core engine driving the fan through a fan shaft, the fan comprising: a. a plurality of variable-pitch blades mounted to said fan shaft; b. an annular casing for mounting said fan shaft for rotation; c. track means spaced radially from said fan shaft and cooperating with said casing; d. a bearing cooperating with said track means, wherein said bearing includes a first bearing race axially movable relative to said track means and a second bearing race; and e. linkage means for cooperating with said second bearing race aNd said variable-pitch blades wherein said linkage means varies the pitch of said blades in response to axial movement of said first bearing race relative to said track means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fan recited in claim 1 further including actuation means for moving said second bearing race axially relative to said track means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The fan recited in claim 1 wherein said bearing further includes an outer race comprising said first bearing race and an inner race comprising said second bearing race.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
72 words
The fan recited in claim 3 wherein: a. said track means includes a plurality of track members disposed at equal circumferential intervals about said casing; and b. said bearing further includes a plurality of carriages corresponding in number to said plurality of track members, wherein each said carriage is secured to said outer race, is radially supported by said corresponding track member and is axially movable relative to said corresponding track member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The fan recited in claim 4 further including a plurality of actuators corresponding in number to said plurality of carriage members, wherein each said carriage is moved axially relative to said corresponding track member by said corresponding actuator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The fan recited in claim 5 wherein said actuators are of the hydraulic type and are hydraulically interconnected for providing synchronized motion of said carriages.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The fan recited in claim 6 wherein said plurality of track members is three in number.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
The fan recited in claim 1 wherein said annular casing includes: a. flange means for mounting said casing to said core engine; b. fan shaft mounting structure for mounting said fan shaft for rotation, wherein said fan shaft mounting structure is secured to said flange means and said track means is secured to said fan shaft mounting structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
The fan recited in claim 8 wherein said fan shaft mounting structure is frusto-conical and has a downstream end and an upstream end wherein said flange means is secured to said downstream end, said fan shaft is mounted for rotation by said upstream end and said track means is secured intermediate of said upstream and downstream ends.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
142 words
A fan of the type recited in claim 1 further comprising a disc means mounted to said fan shaft wherein: a. each said variable pitch blade includes a blade trunnion coaxial with said blade wherein rotation of said blade trunnion about its axis varies the pitch of said blade; b. each said blade trunnion is mounted to said disc means for rotation about said blade trunnion axis and includes a trunnion gear means; and c. said linkage means includes a plurality of link arms corresponding in number to said plurality of variable pitch blades wherein each said link arm is pivoted to said disc means and has a first end pivotably mounted to said second bearing race, and a second end terminating in a link arm gear segment wherein each said link arm gear segment cooperates with said corresponding trunnion gear segment.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-24 | 1978-09-23 | 1979-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-24 | 1982-09-23 | 1983-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-24 | 1986-09-23 | 1987-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |