RTX Corporation
Flexible support structure for a geared architecture gas turbine engine

Abstract:

A gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan shaft driving a fan having fan blades. The fan delivers airflow to a bypass duct. A fan shaft support supports the fan shaft and defines a support transverse stiffness. A gear system is connected to the fan shaft and includes a gear mesh defining a gear mesh transverse stiffness and a reduction ratio greater than 2.3. A gear system input is connected to the gear system and defines a gear system input lateral stiffness. A flexible support supports the gear system and defines a flexible support transverse stiffness. The gear system input lateral stiffness is less than 5% of the gear mesh lateral stiffness and the flexible support transverse stiffness is less than 20% of the fan shaft support transverse stiffness.