General Electric Company
Circumferentially varying thickness composite fan casing

Abstract:

Fan blade containment system includes a composite fan case with an annular composite shell extending from forward flange downstream to aft flange, and circumferentially varying thickness portion of composite shell. Annular composite back sheet spaced radially outwardly of annular composite shell has annular filler layer disposed radially therebetween. Annular forward and aft seams between annular composite shell and composite back sheet may axially trap filler layer. Circumferentially varying thickness portion may include aftwardly extending fingers of composite back sheet in aft seam and first thickness of fingers thicker than second thickness of composite shell circumferentially between fingers. Composite shell may extend from forward flange to aft flange. Aft flange bolted to metallic flange of metallic fan casing aft of aft flange. Containment system may circumscribe and surround fan and fan blades of gas turbine engine fan section.