TIP SEALING CONFIGURATION FOR A FAN

摘要

An improved rotary engine, engine lining and engine casing and lining combination are disclosed. The engine is preferable a turbofan engine and includes a fan blade, rotatably mounted within a generally cylindrical casing for rotation about a lengthwise extending central axis. An annular lining is mounted within the casing between a tip of the fan blade and the casing. The lining seals the tip of the fan blade within the casing. The lining includes a brush seal that extends around an inner circumference of the casing, and has a plurality of bristles that extend radially inward from the seal. A retaining membrane extends around the brush seal, preventing the bristles from extending substantially in a radial direction from the brush seal. The retaining membrane is adapted to release the bristles to extend radially inward to occupy a region between the tip of the fan blade and the casing upon a radial excursion of the fan blade. The bristles, once released, at least partially seal the tip of the fan blade and the casing reducing air recirculation at the blade tip.