Abstract: A method for fabricating a fan assembly is provided, wherein the method includes providing a rotor having a plurality of rotor blades. At least one rotor blade is fabricated from a frangible material. The method also includes coupling a casing substantially circumferentially about the rotor, and positioning the casing a distance from the plurality of rotor blades. The distance is selected to facilitate increasing an amount of initial resistance created between the casing and the plurality of rotor blades after a bladeout.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a fan assembly is provided, wherein the method includes providing a rotor having a plurality of rotor blades. At least one rotor blade is fabricated from a frangible material. The method also includes coupling a casing substantially circumferentially about the rotor, and positioning the casing a distance from the plurality of rotor blades. The distance is selected to facilitate increasing an amount of initial resistance created between the casing and the plurality of rotor blades after a bladeout.

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.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ordering blades in a rotatable machine is provided. The machine includes a plurality of blades that extend radially outwardly from a rotor. The method includes determining a moment weight of each blade in a row of blades, determining a geometric parameter of each blade in the same row of blades, and determining a mapping order of each blade using the moment weight and the geometric parameter. The apparatus includes a computer system that includes a software product code segment for minimizing imbalance in a bladed rotor wherein the segment is configured to receive a moment weight value for each blade to be installed in said rotor, receive a geometric parameter value for each blade to be installed in said rotor, calculate a blade location on the rotor based on the received values, and generate a blade map based on the calculated location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ordering blades in a rotatable machine is provided. The machine includes a plurality of blades that extend radially outwardly from a rotor. The method includes determining a moment weight of each blade in a row of blades, determining a geometric parameter of each blade in the same row of blades, and determining a mapping order of each blade using the moment weight and the geometric parameter. The apparatus includes a computer system that includes a software product code segment for minimizing imbalance in a bladed rotor wherein the segment is configured to receive a moment weight value for each blade to be installed in said rotor, receive a geometric parameter value for each blade to be installed in said rotor, calculate a blade location on the rotor based on the received values, and generate a blade map based on the calculated location.

Abstract: A method enables a rotor assembly for a gas turbine engine to be fabricated. The method includes forming a blade including an airfoil extending from an integral dovetail used to mount the blade within the rotor assembly, and extending a projection from at least a portion of the blade, such that the stresses induced within at least a portion of the blade are facilitated to be maintained below a predetermined failure threshold for the blade to facilitate preventing failure of the blade.

Abstract: A method enables a rotor assembly for a gas turbine engine to be fabricated. The method includes forming a blade including an airfoil extending from an integral dovetail used to mount the blade within the rotor assembly, and extending a projection from at least a portion of the blade, such that the stresses induced within at least a portion of the blade are facilitated to be maintained below a predetermined failure threshold for the blade to facilitate preventing failure of the blade.