Balanced turbine rotor fan blade for a tip turbine engine

摘要

A fan-turbine rotor assembly for a tip turbine engine includes a multiple of fan blades, which include an inducer section, a hollow fan blade section and a diffuser section. The hollow fan blade section defines an airflow passage. The core airflow is turned, spread and split toward opposite ends of the diffuser section by a multiple of internal turning vanes. The airflow streams are then further turned by discharge turning vanes before discharge from a diffuser discharge outlet. Along with turning and splitting the core airflow, the fan blade profile balances the mass of the diffuser section such that the center of mass thereof is over the hollow airfoil section structure.

主权项

1. A fan blade comprising:
an airfoil section for rotation about an axis of rotation which defines an airflow passage therethrough, said airflow passage having an inducer section to receive an airflow from a first axial direction and turn said airflow to a radial direction; a diffuser section, within which air is diffused in communication with said airflow passage, wherein said diffuser section is radially outboard of said airfoil section, said diffuser section having a diffuser section center of mass positioned directly over said airfoil section, said diffuser section oriented to turn and split said airflow from said radial direction to a second axial direction, said second axial direction being substantially opposite said first axial direction; and a turning vane within said diffuser section, said turning vane within said diffuser section turning said airflow from a radial direction to said second axial direction.