Steven M Cross

US Patent:

48954918, Jan 23, 1990

Filed:

Jun 17, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/208098

Inventors:

Steven R. Cross - Catonsville MD
Stuart J. Pass - Owings Mills MD
Robert G. Huntington - Owings Mills MD

Assignee:

Environmental Elements Corp. - Baltimore MD

International Classification:

F04D 2938

US Classification:

416224

Abstract:

A fan blade protection system (100) is provided for substantially preventing erosion by particulate impingement on the fan blade. Fan blade protection system (100) includes an outer erosion resistant layer (110) laminately bonded to an elastomeric energy dissipative layer (120). The laminate structure of fan blade protection system (100) is bonded to a portion (12) of fan blade (10). The outer erosion resistant layer (110) is formed of a material having a high yield strength such that it elastically deforms on impact by high velocity particulates. The energy transferred to the outer erosion resistant layer (110) is absorbed and distributed by the elastomeric energy dissipative layer (120), minimizing the force transmitted to the surface of the fan blade.