US5127802A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reinforced full-spar composite rotor blade
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1990-12-24
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Granted: 1992-07-07
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Expires: 2010-12-24
Abstract
Abstract A composite axial flow rotary machine blade (10) and method of blade construction is disclosed. A substantially full length composite spar (30) is spanwisely disposed within an airfoil planform (18) which supports an airfoil surface (11a). A pad of reinforcing fibers (40) is sandwiched between the spar's periphery and the airfoil surfaces' proximate inner surfaces (24a, b) corresponding to the pressure (22) and suction (24) sides of the airfoil planform in a spanwise distribution. A quantity of structural foam filler (50) is disposed through the balance of the blade's cavity (16).
Inventors
- 👤 Charles E. K. Carlson
- 👤 John A. Violette
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:29
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29D; B29D99/00; B29D99/0025; B29C; B29C44/00; B29C44/02; B29C44/12; B29C44/18; B29C70/00; B29C70/04; B29C70/28; B29C70/30; B64; B64C; B64C11/00; B64C11/16; B64C11/20; B64C11/26; F; F01; F01D; F01D5/00; F01D5/12; F01D5/28; F01D5/282; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T50/00; Y02T50/60; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49316; Y10T29/49336; Y10T29/49337
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
In a composite rotary machine blade extending a given length from a hub, the blade having an airfoil planform having pressure and suction sides, the planform defining a hollow cavity, the blade further having a spar spanwisely disposed within the cavity, the improvement comprising: a pad having a plurality of reinforcing fibers sandwiched between the spar's periphery and the planform's radially proximate inner surface corresponding to a side of the planform.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
In a composite rotary machine blade extending a given length from a hub, the blade having an airfoil planform having pressure and suction sides, the planform defining a hollow cavity, the blade further having a spar spanwisely disposed within the cavity, the improvement comprising: a pad having a plurality of reinforcing fibers sandwiched between the spar's periphery and the planform's radially proximate inner surface corresponding to a side of the planform.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
94 words
In a composite rotary machine blade extending a given length from a hub, the blade having an airfoil planform having pressure and suction sides, the planform defining a hollow cavity, the blade further having a spar spanwisely disposed within the cavity, the improvement comprising: a pad having a plurality of substantially parallel reinforcing fibers imbedded in a resinous epoxy matrix, the pad being sandwiched between the spar's periphery and the planform's radially proximate inner surface corresponding to a side of the planform, the reinforcing fibers of the pad oriented substantially parallel to the spar.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
94 words
In a composite rotary machine blade extending a given length from a hub, the blade having an airfoil planform having pressure and suction sides, the planform defining a hollow cavity, the blade further having a spar spanwisely disposed within the cavity, the improvement comprising: a pad having a plurality of substantially parallel reinforcing fibers imbedded in a resinous epoxy matrix, the pad being sandwiched between the spar's periphery and the planform's radially proximate inner surface corresponding to a side of the planform, the reinforcing fibers of the pad oriented substantially parallel to the spar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The blade of claim 2, wherein the spar extends a substantially spanwise length through the cavity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
The blade of claim 2, wherein the spar is hollow.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The blade of claim 4, wherein a quantity of foam filler is disposed within the spar.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The blade of claim 2, wherein a quantity of foam filler is disposed within the planform's cavity and without the spar.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The blade of claim 5, wherein the foam filler comprises low-density, closed-cell foam.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The blade of claim 2, wherein the pad is spanwisely disposed radially inwardly of the spar's periphery corresponding to a side of the planform.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The blade of claim 2, wherein the pad is spanwisely disposed radially outwardly of the planform's radially proximate inner surface corresponding to a side of the planform.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
127 words
In a composite rotary machine blade extending a given length from a hub, the blade having an airfoil planform having pressure and suction sides, the planform defining a hollow cavity, the improvement comprising: a spar extending substantially the full spanwise length of the cavity, the spar having a second cavity contained therein, and a quantity of foam filler disposed in said second cavity, a pad having a plurality of substantially parallel reinforcing fibers imbedded in a resinous epoxy matrix, the pad being sandwiched between the spar's periphery and the planform's radially proximate inner surface corresponding to a side of the planform, the reinforcing fibers of the pad oriented substantially parallel to the spar, and, a quantity of foam filler disposed in the remaining void of the planform.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
127 words
In a composite rotary machine blade extending a given length from a hub, the blade having an airfoil planform having pressure and suction sides, the planform defining a hollow cavity, the improvement comprising: a spar extending substantially the full spanwise length of the cavity, the spar having a second cavity contained therein, and a quantity of foam filler disposed in said second cavity, a pad having a plurality of substantially parallel reinforcing fibers imbedded in a resinous epoxy matrix, the pad being sandwiched between the spar's periphery and the planform's radially proximate inner surface corresponding to a side of the planform, the reinforcing fibers of the pad oriented substantially parallel to the spar, and, a quantity of foam filler disposed in the remaining void of the planform.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for the manufacture of a composite rotary machine blade having an airfoil planform having a pressure side and a suction side, the blade further having a spanwisely oriented spar extending a given length between the sides from a hub, comprising the steps of: layering a pad of reinforcing fibers upon a spanwisely extending spar-face, and forming the airfoil planform about the combination of the above step to form a spar-face-pad-planform sandwich proximate to a side of the airfoil planform.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for the manufacture of a composite rotary machine blade having an airfoil planform having a pressure side and a suction side, the blade further having a spanwisely oriented spar extending a given length between the sides from a hub, comprising the steps of: layering a pad of reinforcing fibers upon a spanwisely extending spar-face, and forming the airfoil planform about the combination of the above step to form a spar-face-pad-planform sandwich proximate to a side of the airfoil planform.
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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) | 1995-07-07 | 1996-01-06 | 1996-07-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-07 | 2000-01-06 | 2000-07-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-07 | 2004-01-06 | 2004-07-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |