General Electric Company
PRE-TENSION AND RETENTION STRUCTURE FOR COMPOSITE FAN BLADE

Abstract:

A blade for a propulsion apparatus that includes a body formed of a first material. The body includes opposed pressure and suction sides and extends in span between a root and a tip. The body extends in court between a leading edge and a trailing edge. A tension element is positioned within the body and extends between the root and the tip. The tension element includes at least one string that is configured to be under tension such that at least a portion of the blade between the root and the tip is under compression.