US 11,946,437 B2
Variable pitch fans for turbomachinery engines
Daniel A. Niergarth, Norwood, OH (US); Martin Manning, Cincinnati, OH (US); Nicholas M. Daggett, Camden, ME (US); Christopher J. Kroger, West Chester, OH (US); and Ian F. Prentice, Cincinnati, OH (US)
Assigned to General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US)
Filed by General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US)
Filed on Aug. 12, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/819,438.
Application 17/819,438 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/176,101, filed on Feb. 15, 2021, granted, now 11,454,195.
Prior Publication US 2023/0126551 A1, Apr. 27, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F02K 3/06 (2006.01); F01D 7/00 (2006.01); F02K 3/072 (2006.01); F02K 3/075 (2006.01); F02K 3/077 (2006.01); F04D 29/36 (2006.01)
CPC F02K 3/06 (2013.01) [F02K 3/072 (2013.01); F04D 29/362 (2013.01); F01D 7/00 (2013.01); F02K 3/075 (2013.01); F02K 3/077 (2013.01); F05D 2220/36 (2013.01); F05D 2260/40311 (2013.01); F05D 2260/74 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A turbomachinery engine comprising:
a fan assembly including a plurality of variable pitch fan blades, a first VPF parameter, and a second VPF parameter, wherein:
the first VPF parameter is within a range of 0.10-0.40 and is defined by a fan blade radius ratio (RR) divided by a fan pressure ratio (FPR) at a static sea-level takeoff operating condition; and
the second VPF parameter is within a range of 1-30 lbf/in2 and is defined by a bearing spanwise force (F_Span) at a redline operating condition measured in pounds force divided by a fan area (F_Area) measured in square inches;
a vane assembly including a plurality of vanes disposed aft of the plurality of variable pitch fan blades;
a core engine including one or more turbine sections; and
a gearbox including an input and an output, wherein the input is coupled to the one or more turbine sections of the core engine and comprises a first rotational speed, wherein the output is coupled to the fan assembly and has a second rotational speed which is less than the first rotational speed.