Abstract: A torque shaft assembly includes a hollow tube with a central axis disposed between and fixedly connected to first and second crankshafts at first and second distal ends, respectively, of the tube for movement of an array of connecting members such as push rods. A hollow interior of tube between the first and second crankshafts is filled with a sufficient quantity of flowable inertia material or damping media to absorb vibratory energy by friction during operation of the engine. The hollow interior is preferably filled with a quantity of damping media to a level by volume of about 98% and a preferred flowable inertia material is round steel shot. A plurality of spaced-apart clevises are fixedly attached to a tube wall on an outer surface of the tube wall surrounding the hollow interior. Each clevis includes connection means disposed away from the wall outer surface for connection with an actuator for movement of the array of adjustable devices such as variable stator vanes.

Abstract: A fan assembly includes a plurality of discrete platforms disposed between adjacent rotor blades extending radially outwardly from a rotor disk. Each platform includes forward and aft axially spaced apart ends, and radially upper and lower spaced apart surfaces extending between the ends. Forward and aft retainer rings capture the platform to the disk with a predetermined clearance therebetween for allowing the platform to move radially upwardly under centrifugal force for retention by the retainer rings, while also allowing the platform to move radially inwardly under a radially inwardly directed impact load on the platform, which impact load is channeled through the platform lower surface at both the forward and aft ends into the rotor disk.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for supporting rotor blades includes a plurality of axially adjoining discrete disks each having a rim. The rims include axial dovetail posts defining therebetween dovetail grooves for collectively supporting a respective blade dovetail therein. The disks are fixedly joined together by integral beams so that upon a crack failure of one of the disks, centrifugal load from the failed disk is transferred to an adjacent disk and crack propagation thereto is inhibited.

Abstract: A turbine support assembly includes a turbine rotor joined to a fan shaft through a support shaft. The support shaft is joined to the fan shaft in a V-configuration having first and second legs joined together at an apex and inclined axially apart, with at least the first leg forming an integral part of the fan shaft. The second leg is rotatably supportable to a frame. The V-configuration increases the stiffness of the turbine support to reduce blade tip clearances. The present invention also provides an annular integral bolt heat shield and axial retention apparatus to axially retain bolts used for holding together two rotor elements during assembly when the bolts are otherwise subject to sliding into a closed cavity of the assembled engine or one of its modules.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine has outer and inner counterrotatable annular turbine rotors and pluralities of turbine blades disposed in alternating rows and mounted on and extending between the respective rotors. An interstage seal arrangement for the engine is composed of a sequence of alternating inner and outer seals. Each outer seal is disposed between an interior side of the outer rotor and outer ends of the blades in one plurality thereof being spaced radially inward at their outer ends from the outer rotor and being mounted at their inner ends to the exterior side of the inner rotor. Each inner seal is disposed between the exterior side of the inner rotor and inner ends of the blades in another plurality thereof being spaced radially outward at their inner ends from the inner rotor and being mounted at their outer ends to the interior side of the outer rotor.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine having an outer annular turbine rotor, which is counterrotatable relative to an inner annular turbine rotor, includes attachment structure for attaching turbine blades in circumferential rows to the outer rotor. The attachment structure includes first and second male members spaced axially along and circumferentially extending about the rotor, and first and second grooves spaced axially along and extending circumferentially about the rotor being defined by flanges attached to the rotor. Each male member has a first portion attached to an end of a turbine blade and extending therefrom in a radial direction. The first male member has a second portion attached to its first portion and extending therefrom in an axial direction to define the first male member with an overall hook-like cross-sectional configuration. The first groove is cross-sectionally shaped for receiving in mated relation the second portion of the first male member.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine having an outer annular turbine rotor, which is counterrotatable relative to an inner annular turbine rotor, includes attachment structure for attaching turbine blades in circumferential rows to the inner rotor. The attachment structure includes first and second male members of hook-like configurations spaced axially along and circumferentially extending about the rotor, and first and second grooves defined by flanges attached to the rotor and axially spaced along and circumferentially extending about the rotor. The grooves open in a common axial direction for receiving in mated relation respectively and concurrently the hook-like configured first and second male members. The attachment structure also includes several different locking arrangements for locking the male members in mated relation with the grooves to thereby restrain the turbine blade against radial and axial movements relative to the rotor.

Abstract: Apparatus for preloading an airfoil blade attached to a rotor disk in a gas turbine engine. The dovetail root of a composite fan blade is preloaded to prevent rubbing and wear against the dovetail slot of a metal rotor disk during fan windmilling, with the aircraft engine off, due to wind and breezes at the airport. A resilient material is inserted into the lower portion of the slot below the engaged blade root. The disk has a radius which intersects the slot. The material is acted upon by a device which adjustably compresses the inserted material perpendicular to the radius of the disk. This causes the compressed material to exert a radially outward force against the bottom of the engaged root of the blade.