Abstract: An airfoil assembly for a turbine engine includes an airfoil with an outer wall having a pressure side and a suction side, the airfoil extending axially between a leading edge and a trailing edge to define a chord-wise direction and also extending radially between a root and a tip to define a span-wise direction. An aperture and at least one slot can define at least a portion of a release plane extending through the outer wall.

Abstract: An airfoil assembly for a turbine engine includes an airfoil with an outer wall having a pressure side and a suction side, the airfoil extending axially between a leading edge and a trailing edge to define a chord-wise direction and also extending radially between a root and a tip to define a span-wise direction. An aperture and at least one slot can define at least a portion of a release plane extending through the outer wall.

Abstract: A rotor blade and blade retention key assembly includes: a radially outer airfoil, a shank and a radially inner attachment dovetail. The attachment dovetail has a radially innermost surface formed with a notch at one axial end thereof, and a retention key is received in the notch, and rotatable from a retracted position where a retention key portion is substantially flush with the radially innermost surface, to an extended position where the retention key portion projects inwardly from said radially innermost surface and into a recess or pocket formed in a rotor wheel slot to prevent axial movement of the blade within the slot.

Abstract: A method for reducing tip rub loads in a rotor blade is described having the steps of selecting a location of contact between the rotor blade and a static structure; selecting a location on the blade for incorporating a tip-cutter; selecting a cutter-profile for the tip-cutter; and incorporating the tip-cutter on the selected location on the blade such that tip-cutter is capable of removing a portion of the static structure during a tip rub such that tip rub loads are facilitated to be reduced.

Abstract: An airfoil for use in a rotor assembly is disclosed, the airfoil having a tip-cutter located on a sidewall near a tip portion, wherein the tip-cutter is capable of removing a portion of an abradable material during a tip rub. In another embodiment, an airfoil has a tip-grinder located on the tip portion, wherein the tip-grinder capable of removing a portion of an abradable material during a tip rub. In another embodiment, an airfoil has a tip-rake that facilitates reducing loading induced to said airfoil during tip rubs.

Abstract: A rotor blade and blade retention key assembly includes: a radially outer airfoil, a shank and a radially inner attachment dovetail. The attachment dovetail has a radially innermost surface formed with a notch at one axial end thereof, and a retention key is received in the notch, and rotatable from a retracted position where a retention key portion is substantially flush with the radially innermost surface, to an extended position where the retention key portion projects inwardly from said radially innermost surface and into a recess or pocket formed in a rotor wheel slot to prevent axial movement of the blade within the slot.

Abstract: A method for reducing tip rub loads in a rotor blade is described having the steps of selecting a location of contact between the rotor blade and a static structure; selecting a location on the blade for incorporating a tip-cutter; selecting a cutter-profile for the tip-cutter; and incorporating the tip-cutter on the selected location on the blade such that tip-cutter is capable of removing a portion of the static structure during a tip rub such that tip rub loads are facilitated to be reduced.

Abstract: An airfoil for use in a rotor assembly is disclosed, the airfoil having a tip-cutter located on a sidewall near a tip portion, wherein the tip-cutter is capable of removing a portion of an abradable material during a tip rub. In another embodiment, an airfoil has a tip-grinder located on the tip portion, wherein the tip-grinder capable of removing a portion of an abradable material during a tip rub. In another embodiment, an airfoil has a tip-rake that facilitates reducing loading induced to said airfoil during tip rubs.

Abstract: A fan blade includes an airfoil having opposite pressure and suction sides extending in span between a root and tip, and extending in chord between opposite leading and trailing edges. From root toward tip, the airfoil includes increasing stagger and decreasing camber, and increasing chord length to barrel the airfoil along both the leading and trailing edges. The airfoil further includes forward aerodynamic sweep at the tip, and non-forward aerodynamic sweep between the maximum barrel and the root.