General Electric Company
Ceramic matrix composite (CMC) hollow blade and method of forming CMC hollow blade

Abstract:

A ceramic matrix composite (CMC) hollow blade includes a CMC airfoil, which includes at least one airfoil CMC ply, at least one cavity CMC ply, and an insert. The airfoil CMC ply defines the contour of the CMC airfoil including a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, a first side extending from the first edge to the second edge, and a second side opposite the first side. The cavity CMC ply defines a cavity within the CMC airfoil. The insert is located between the first edge and the cavity. The insert is wrapped by a CMC ply such that the CMC ply extends along the insert from the first side of the CMC airfoil across the mean camber line of the CMC airfoil and to the second side of the CMC airfoil. The CMC ply terminates on the second side of the CMC airfoil.