US 11,933,185 B2
Fused rotor
Jeremy Clavette, Farmington, CT (US); and Mark R. Gurvich, Middletown, CT (US)
Assigned to HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION, Charlotte, NC (US)
Filed by Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation, Charlotte, NC (US)
Filed on Jul. 29, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/877,093.
Prior Publication US 2024/0035394 A1, Feb. 1, 2024
Int. Cl. F01D 21/04 (2006.01); B64D 13/08 (2006.01); F01D 5/04 (2006.01); F04D 29/28 (2006.01)
CPC F01D 21/045 (2013.01) [B64D 13/08 (2013.01); F01D 5/048 (2013.01); F04D 29/284 (2013.01); F05B 2240/306 (2020.08)] 7 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A rotor comprising:
a base member including a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a central opening passing through the first side and the second side, the second side including an outer circumferential edge defined by a first dimension of the base member and the central opening having an inner circumferential edge defined by a second dimension;
a plurality of blades extending outwardly from the first side, the plurality of blades extending about the central opening; and
a fuse element formed in the second side and extending along one of a radial direction and a circumferential direction, the fuse element forming a built-in failure mechanism including a uniform cross-section and having a length that is less than the first dimension, the fuse element causing a crack to propagate across the base member when the rotor is operated above a selected design speed, wherein the fuse element includes a first end positioned at the inner circumferential edge, a second end positioned at the outer circumferential edge, and an intermediate portion.
 
6. A rotor comprising:
a base member including a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a central opening passing through the first side and the second side, the second side including an outer circumferential edge having a first dimension and the central opening having an inner circumferential edge having a second dimension;
a plurality of blades extending outwardly from the first side, the plurality of blades extending about the central opening; and
a fuse element formed in the second side and extending along one of a radial direction and a circumferential direction, the fuse element forming a built-in failure mechanism including a uniform cross-section and having a length that is less than the first dimension, the fuse element causing a crack to propagate across the base member when the rotor is operated above a selected design speed, wherein the fuse element includes a first end positioned at the inner circumferential edge and a second end that is spaced from the outer circumferential edge.
 
7. An aircraft comprising:
a fuselage defining a cockpit and a passenger cabin;
an air conditioning unit configured to direct conditioned air into one of the cockpit and the passenger cabin, the air conditioning unit including a rotor comprising:
a base member including a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a central opening passing through the first side and the second side, the second side including an outer circumferential edge defined by a first dimension of the base member and the central opening having an inner circumferential edge defined by a second dimension;
a plurality of fins extending outwardly from the first side, the plurality of fins extending about the central opening; and
a fuse element formed in the second side and extending along one of a radial direction and a circumferential direction, the fuse element forming a built-in failure mechanism including a uniform cross-section and having a length that is less than the first dimension, the fuse element causing a crack to propagate across the base member when the rotor is operated above a selected design speed, wherein the fuse element includes a first end positioned at the inner circumferential edge, a second end positioned at the outer circumferential edge, and an intermediate portion.