Patent ID: 8142165
Filing Date: 2012-03-27
Classification: B21D,B21J,B21K,B23P,F01D,F04D,F05D,Y02T,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An aerofoil comprising: a plurality of layers having a shape of a solid metal aerofoil, the aerofoil comprising a compressor blade or a turbine blade, the plurality of layers having a juxtaposed distribution through the aerofoil depth, the plurality of layers comprising at least one first layer comprising a first metal having a first stiffness and a first mass, and a second layer comprising a second metal having a second stiffness and a second mass, the first stiffness being greater than the second stiffness, the first mass being greater than the second mass, the first layer being disposed in high stress portions of the aerofoil and the second layer being disposed in low stress portions of the aerofoil, the high stress portions of the aerofoil being subject to higher levels of stress and/or loading during use compared to the low stress portions of the aerofoil, to enable a net reduction in aerofoil mass compared to an aerofoil made from principally the first metal, and wherein the first and second layers are disposed throughout the aerofoil so that the aerofoil has been vibrationally tuned to avoid a natural frequency coincident with an operational frequency.