General Electric Company
Frangible Gas Turbine Engine Airfoil Including a Retaining Member

Abstract:

An airfoil defining a span extending between a root and a tip. The airfoil includes a retaining member extending at least partially between a leading edge and a trailing edge defining a frangible line extending at least partially along a chord at a point along the span of the retaining member. The airfoil further includes a frangible airfoil portion extending between the tip and the frangible line. The frangible airfoil portion includes a first plurality of composite plies, at least one composite ply of the first plurality of composite plies wraps around the retaining member. The airfoil includes a residual airfoil portion extending from the frangible line to the root including a second plurality of composite plies, at least one composite ply of the second plurality of composite plies wraps around the retaining member. Further, the residual airfoil portion meets the frangible airfoil portion at the frangible line.