RTX Corporation
COMPOSITE FAN BLADE LEADING EDGE SHEATH WITH ENCAPSULATING EXTENSION

Abstract:

A metallic sheath for a composite fan blade includes a body comprising a leading edge portion configured to cover a leading edge of the blade; a top surface adjacent the leading edge; an extension portion proximate the top surface configured to cover a portion of a tip of the blade along an intermediate chord length; an encapsulation portion opposite the top surface configured to couple directly with the tip of the blade; a sheath suction side flank configured to overlap a suction side of the blade; a sheath pressure side flank opposite the suction side flank configured to overlap a pressure side of the blade; and an insulator coupled between the encapsulation portion and the tip of the blade.