Patent ID: 8845945
Filing Date: 2014-09-30
Classification: B23P,B32B,F01D,F04D,F05C,F05D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of forming a fan blade, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a piece of low density filler in a cavity of an inner exposed surface of a fan blade body, wherein an upper surface of the piece of low density filler is located above the inner exposed surface of the fan blade body, and the low density filler has a density lower than a density of a material of the fan blade body; positioning the fan blade body in a lower die of a press; and applying pressure to the inner exposed surface of the fan blade body with an upper die of the press to compress the low density filler such that the upper surface of the piece of low density filler is approximately flush with the inner exposed surface of the fan blade body, wherein the step of applying pressure to the inner exposed surface of the fan blade body includes compressing the upper surface of the piece of low density filler below the inner exposed surface of the fan blade body and then allowing the piece of low density filler to spring back such that the upper surface of the piece of low density filler is substantially flush with the inner exposed surface of the fan blade body, and incorporating the fan blade body into the fan blade.