METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STRUCTURALLY SUPPORTING AIRFOIL TIPS

摘要

An airfoil (42) for a gas turbine engine (10) includes a leading edge (48), a trailing edge (50), a tip (54), a first side wall (44) that extends in radial span between an airfoil root (52) and the tip, wherein the first side wall defines a first side of said airfoil, and a second side wall (46) connected to the first side wall at the leading edge and the trailing edge, wherein the second side wall extends in radial span between t he airfoil root and the tip, such that the second side wall defines a second side of th e airfoil. The airfoil also includes a rib (70) that extends outwardly from at least on e of the first side wall and the second side wall, such that a natural frequency of chordwi se vibration of the airfoil is increased to a frequency that is not present within the gas turbine engine during engine operations.