Abstract: A composite fan blade for a gas turbine engine, the blade comprises a root portion for connecting the blade to a hub and an aerofoil portion. The aerofoil portion comprises an external cover formed from a non-metallic material and an internal structure enclosed within the cover. The internal structure comprises a plurality of support members extending generally from a pressure side of the internal structure to a suction side of the internal structure, and wherein the plurality of support members define a plurality of cells or channels.

Abstract: A method of simulating life of a rotor blade mounting feature mounted in a complementary rotor disc mounting feature comprises the steps of providing two specimen mounting features (37) each having portions defining pressure faces matching in profile respective faces of the rotor blade mounting feature; providing a fixture (38) having two opposed mounting features (39) each having portions defining pressure faces (78) matching in profile respective faces of the rotor disc mounting feature; mounting the specimen mounting features (37) in the fixture mounting features (39); applying a first load to the specimen mounting features (37); measuring a strain in a region (86) of the fixture (38) between the fixture mounting features (39); applying a second load to the fixture (38), the second load being substantially perpendicular to the first load; and controlling the second load in response to the measured strain. A high cycle load may simultaneously be applied to the specimen mounting features (37).

Abstract: A method of simulating life of a rotor blade mounting feature mounted in a complementary rotor disc mounting feature comprises the steps of providing two specimen mounting features (37) each having portions defining pressure faces matching in profile respective faces of the rotor blade mounting feature; providing a fixture (38) having two opposed mounting features (39) each having portions defining pressure faces (78) matching in profile respective faces of the rotor disc mounting feature; mounting the specimen mounting features (37) in the fixture mounting features (39); applying a first load to the specimen mounting features (37); measuring a strain in a region (86) of the fixture (38) between the fixture mounting features (39); applying a second load to the fixture (38), the second load being substantially perpendicular to the first load; and controlling the second load in response to the measured strain. A high cycle load may simultaneously be applied to the specimen mounting features (37).

Abstract: A device (10) for fatigue testing of materials comprises a frame (14), first and second clamping means (16,18) for holding a specimen (12) to be tested. First and second mounting means (20,22) mount the clamping means (16,18) on the frame (14). The mounting means (20,22) vibrationally isolate the clamping means (16,18) from the frame (14). Actuator means (24) moves the first clamping means (16) relative to the second clamping means (18) to apply a low cycle load on the specimen (12). Electrical insulating means (30) electrically insulate the frame (14) from the specimen (12). A shaker (26) is coupled to the second clamping means (18) to apply a high cycle load on the specimen (12). A detector (32) detects the vibration of the specimen (12) and sends an electrical signal to a control unit (42) which determines the resonant frequency of the specimen (12). The control unit (42) sends a signal to the shaker (26) to maintain the high cycle load at the resonant frequency of the specimen (12).

Abstract: A device (10) for fatigue testing of materials comprises a frame (14), first and second clamping means (16,18) for holding a specimen (12) to be tested. First and second mounting means (20,22) mount the clamping means (16,18) on the frame (14). The mounting means (20,22) vibrationally isolate the clamping means (16,18) from the frame (14). Actuator means (24) moves the first clamping means (16) relative to the second clamping means (18) to apply a low cycle load on the specimen (12). Electrical insulating means (30) electrically insulate the frame (14) from the specimen (12). A shaker (26) is coupled to the second clamping means (18) to apply a high cycle load on the specimen (12). A detector (32) detects the vibration of the specimen (12) and sends an electrical signal to a control unit (42) which determines the resonant frequency of the specimen (12). The control unit (42) sends a signal to the shaker (26) to maintain the high cycle load at the resonant frequency of the specimen (12).