Patent ID: 8496440
Filing Date: 2013-07-30
Classification: B21D,B23K,B23P,F01D,F05D,Y02T,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of manufacturing an aerofoil structure capable of being diffusion bonded and superplastically formed to create a substantially hollow cavity within the aerofoil structure, the method comprising: providing a metallic plate, made from a first metallic material, for forming the aerofoil structure; joining mounting elements, made from a second metallic material, the second metallic material being different than the first metallic material, to opposing end surfaces of said metallic plate; dividing said plate along a plane extending substantially in a span-wise direction so as to produce two metallic panels each with one of said mounting elements joined thereto; assembling the two metallic panels so that the surfaces of the panels opposite to the surfaces which have been divided are facing each other; and joining the two metallic panels to one another to form the aerofoil structure; wherein the mounting elements are joined to one another to form the root of the aerofoil.