US 11,913,408 B1
Trunnion-to-disk connection for an open fan configuration aircraft powerplant
Nicholas M. Daggett, Camden, ME (US); Frank Worthoff, West Chester, OH (US); Pawel Pres, Cheltenham (GB); and Daryl John Burford, Gloucester (GB)
Assigned to General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US); and GE Aviation Systems Limited, Cheltenham (GB)
Filed by General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US); and GE Aviation Systems Limited, Cheltenham (GB)
Filed on Apr. 17, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/301,405.
Int. Cl. F02K 3/08 (2006.01); F02K 3/06 (2006.01); F04D 29/60 (2006.01); F04D 29/34 (2006.01)
CPC F02K 3/06 (2013.01) [F04D 29/34 (2013.01); F04D 29/601 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A trunnion-to-disk connection for an open fan engine, the trunnion-to-disk connection comprising:
a fan disk having an annular shape defined about a longitudinal axis, the fan disk defining a plurality of trunnion apertures and an inner surface, the inner surface defining a minimum radius from the longitudinal axis at a location aligned with the plurality of trunnion apertures, the plurality of trunnion apertures including a first aperture;
a plurality of fan blades including a first fan blade having a central blade axis, the first fan blade further including an integral trunnion and blade spar positioned at least partially in the first aperture of the fan disk, a trunnion of the integral trunnion and blade spar including a first trunnion end including a foot and a second trunnion end opposite the first trunnion end, the foot having a bearing contact surface; and
a bottom bearing captured between the bearing contact surface of the foot of the trunnion and the inner surface of the fan disk, the bearing contact surface defining a radius from the longitudinal axis less than the minimum radius of the inner surface of the fan disk;
wherein an access space is defined by the inner surface of the fan disk and the foot of the integral trunnion and blade spar, the access space configured to facilitate loading of the bottom bearing.