General Electric Company
ROTOR BLADE FOR A GAS TURBINE ENGINE HAVING A METALLIC STRUCTURAL MEMBER AND A COMPOSITE FAIRING

Abstract:

A rotor blade for a gas turbine engine includes a structural member formed from a metallic material. The structural member, in turn, includes a base portion, a spar, and a tip cap, with the base portion at least partially forming a root of the rotor blade and a shank of the rotor blade. Furthermore, the structural member includes a fairing formed from a composite material. The fairing is, in turn, coupled to the structural member such that the fairing forms at least a portion of an airfoil of the rotor blade and a platform of the rotor blade. Additionally, the fairing including a first fairing panel and a second fairing panel in contact with the first fairing panel at a first split line and a second split line.