Spinner for a gas turbine engine

A spinner for use in a gas turbine engine includes a body and an aft ring coupled to the body. The body is symmetrically formed by filament winding around a central axis. The aft ring includes a band coupled to the body and a plurality of fairings that extend outward in a radial direction from the band away from the central axis.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to fan assemblies used in gas turbine engines, and more specifically to a spinner or nose cone adapted for use in such fan assemblies.

BACKGROUND

Gas turbine engines used to power aircraft often include a relatively-large diameter fan assembly that is driven by an engine core. The fan assembly blows air to provide thrust for moving the aircraft. Such fans typically include a bladed wheel mounted to the engine core to be rotated by the engine core and a spinner mounted to the bladed wheel to rotate with the bladed wheel. The spinner is designed to direct air radially-outward from the center of the bladed wheel and into blades of the fan assembly so that the blades can accelerate the air.

Some spinners include components made from composite materials in order to reduce the weight of a corresponding fan assembly. Manufacturing of spinners made from composite materials can present challenges when specific aerodynamic geometries are desired. In particular, spinners with asymmetric aerodynamic geometries can be difficult to manufacture while maintaining strength required for use in a fan assembly.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a spinner for use in a gas turbine engine may include filament-wound body and an aft ring. The body may be substantially symmetrical around a central axis. The body may include a side wall having a diameter that increases along the central axis from a forward side of the body to an aft side of the body. The aft ring may include a band that overlaps a portion of the side wall along the aft side of the body and a plurality of fairings that extend outward in a radial direction from the band away from the central axis.

In some embodiments, the aft ring may be formed from a composite material. The aft ring may be bonded to the body by a resin.

In some embodiments, the aft ring may include a continuous braided sock of woven fabric that extends around the aft side of the body without an axial seam that extends along the central axis. The fairings included in aft ring may be formed by prearranged portions of the continuous braided sock filled with a plug.

In some embodiments, the aft ring may include a plurality of segments each arranged to extend around a portion of the diameter of the aft ring. Each segment may be formed to include a first fairing and a second fairing. Each segment may be formed to include only one fairing.

In some embodiments, each segment may include a plurality of layers. At least one radially-outer layer may extend further in the axial direction along the body toward the forward side of the body than at least one radially-inner layer.

In some embodiments, each segment may be spaced circumferentially apart from adjacent segments. Abutment joints may be formed between each pair of adjacent segments.

In some embodiments, each segment is arranged to circumferentially overlap a portion of one adjacent segment to form circumferentially overlapping joints between each pair of adjacent segments. Each segment may include a plurality of layers in which at least one radially-interior layer extends circumferentially under a radially-outer layer of an adjacent segment and abuts a radially-inner layer of the adjacent segment.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a spinner for use in a gas turbine engine may include a body and an aft ring. The body may include a side wall having a diameter that increases along a central axis from a forward side of the body to an aft side of the body. The aft ring may overlap the side wall along the aft side of the body and may include a first layer of plies arranged circumferentially adjacent to one another to form circumferential joints between plies and a second layer of plies arranged circumferentially adjacent to one another to form circumferential joints between plies.

In some embodiments, the circumferential joints of the first layer of plies may be circumferentially offset from the circumferential joints of the second layer of plies by at least one fairing. The at least one fairing may extend outward in a radial direction away from the central axis.

In some embodiments, the second layer of plies may be radially-adjacent to the first layer of plies. Accordingly, the aft ring may be free of plies sandwiched between the first layer of plies and the second layer of plies.

In some embodiments, the plies of the first layer of plies may be made from woven fabric. The second layer of plies may be made from woven fabric.

In some embodiments, at least one fairing may be formed by a plug arranged radially between the side wall and the first layer of plies. The plug may be arranged radially between the side wall and the second layer of plies. The plug may include reinforcing fibers suspended in a matrix material.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a fan assembly may include a bladed wheel including a hub and a plurality of fan blades coupled to the hub to extend radially outward from the hub, and a spinner coupled to the hub. The spinner may include a filament-wound body having a side wall arranged around a central axis and an aft ring made from composite materials bonded to the side wall of the body.

In some embodiments, the aft ring may include a band and a plurality of fairings. The band may overlap the side wall adjacent to the hub. The plurality of fairings may extend outward in a radial direction from the band away from the central axis ahead of each fan blade included in the bladed wheel.

In some embodiments, the aft ring may be formed from a plurality of segments. Each of the segments may be arranged to extend around a portion of the diameter of the aft ring.

In some embodiments, each segment may be arranged to circumferentially overlap a portion of one adjacent segment. Accordingly, the segments may form circumferentially overlapping joints between each pair of adjacent segments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An illustrative aerospace gas turbine engine100includes a fan assembly110adapted to accelerate/blow air so that the air provides thrust for moving an aircraft as shown inFIG. 1. The illustrative fan assembly110includes a bladed wheel112and a spinner10mounted to the bladed wheel112to rotate with the bladed wheel112. The spinner10directs air radially-outward from a hub114included in the bladed wheel112toward fan blades116included in the bladed wheel112so that the fan blades116can accelerate/blow the air.

The spinner10(sometimes called a nose cone) illustratively includes a forward tip12, a body14, and an aft ring16as shown inFIG. 1. The aft ring16is formed to include a band18and a number of fairings20that extend outwardly from the band18. In the illustrative embodiment, each fairing20is arranged in front of a corresponding fan blade116to improve performance of the gas turbine engine100by redirecting air around a blunt leading edge117of the fan blade116.

In the illustrative embodiment, at least some components of the spinner10are made from composite materials. Particularly, the illustrative body14includes filaments wound around a central axis11by a filament winding process to produce a symmetric component that is then cured to set the shape of the component. It is contemplated that, in some embodiments, the body14may be made from braided or unidirectional tape materials suspended in a matrix to form a generally-symmetric composite component without an axially-extending seam. The illustrative aft ring16includes woven fabric plies and plugs that are cured (or preformed) in a matrix material to form an asymmetric shape including the fairings20arranged around the central axis11. The aft ring16is bonded to the body14using a mold tool and a resin transfer molding process (RTM) so that the body14and the aft ring16form an integral (unitary) nosecone component15that is strong enough for use in the fan assembly110.

The fan assembly110is illustratively mounted to a turbine engine core120to be rotated by the engine core120as shown, for example, inFIG. 1. The engine core120includes a compressor122, a combustor124, and a turbine126. The compressor122is configured to compress and deliver air to the combustor124. The combustor124is configured to mix fuel with the compressed air received from the compressor122and to ignite the fuel. The hot high pressure products of the combustion reaction in the combustor124are directed into the turbine126and the turbine126extracts work to drive the compressor122and the fan assembly110.

In the illustrative embodiment, the forward tip12is mounted to the body14and is a monolithic component made from an elastomeric material. The forward tip12is adapted to flex. In other embodiments, the forward tip12may be formed from a composite material or another material.

The body14is illustratively hollow and has a generally frustoconical shape as shown inFIG. 4. The body14includes a front wall28arranged at a front side31of the body14and a side wall30that extends aft from the front wall28to an aft side32of the body14. The front wall28is engaged by the forward tip12and forms an aperture31that receives a portion of the forward tip12that extends into the body14. The side wall30has a diameter that increases along the central axis11from the forward side31of the body14to the aft side32of the body14.

In the illustrative embodiment, the side wall30is arcuate along a curve as it extends from the forward side31of the body14to the aft side32of the body14. In other embodiments, the side wall30may extend along a straight line as it extends from the forward side31of the body14to the aft side32of the body14so that the body14is substantially frustoconical in shape.

The aft ring16illustratively includes the band18and the fairings20as shown inFIGS. 2 and 4. The band18overlaps a portion of the side wall30along the aft side32of the body14. The fairings20extend outward in a radial direction from the band18away from the central axis11. The fairings20are arranged to extend from an aft side42of the aft ring16toward a front side41of the aft ring16and some circumferential distance around the aft ring16. The fairings20are also spaced equidistantly from one another around the circumference of the band18.

In some embodiments, the side wall30of the body14and/or the band18of the aft ring16may be formed to include a number of holes34for attaching the spinner10to the bladed wheel112of the fan assembly110by way of other components in a nose cone assembly (not shown). For example, the spinner10may be included in a nose cone assembly similar to that shown in U.S. Published Application No. 2012/0134843A1 or shown in U.K. Published Patent Application No. GB2363170A1 which are both hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. In other examples, other means of attaching the spinner10to the bladed wheel112may be used.

In the first illustrative spinner10shown inFIGS. 1-4, the aft ring16includes a continuous braided sock of woven fabric50and a plurality of plugs52arranged along the circumference of the continuous braided sock of woven fabric50to form the fairings20as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4. The continuous braided sock of woven fabric50extends around the aft side32of the body14without an axial seam that extends along the central axis11. The plugs52fill the fairings20and are bonded to or preformed with the continuous braided sock of woven fabric50prior to bonding of the aft ring16to the body14.

The continuous braided sock of woven fabric50is bonded to the body14during the resin transfer molding process. In the illustrative embodiment, the continuous braided sock of woven fabric50is arranged to provide the outer surface of the spinner10along the aft ring16portion of the spinner10. In other embodiments, the continuous braided sock of woven fabric50may be replaced by or reinforced with uni-directional tape or woven fabric segments with one or more axial seams that extends along the central axis11.

The plugs52are illustratively made from a bulk molding compound that may have reinforcing fibers suspended in a matrix material (e.g. LYTEX®). In other embodiments, the plugs52may be made from epoxy filler, machined plastics, or another suitable material. The plugs52may also include or be made from filler plies local to the fairing region that reinforce the fairing region and the aft ring16.

Filament winding of composite materials was selected as one manufacturing process for the body14of the illustrative spinner10for cost and weight reasons. Filament winding is largely constrained to the production of components that are symmetrical about a centerline. In the illustrative embodiment, the aerodynamic fairings20in front of fan blades116are mounted to the filament wound body14to improve performance by redirecting air around the blunt leading edge117of the blades116. Redirection of air around blades116is sometimes desirable for high-performing fans100where the fan hub114radius has been minimized. The illustrative spinner10integrates the separate materials used to create the body14and the fairings20to improve robustness and minimize in-service repair burdens and improve performance.

The illustrative spinner10includes a symmetrical filament wound cone14with asymmetrical woven fabric50to create the final spinner geometry in an aerodynamically efficient shape. The primary structure is the filament wound cone14. The outer surface (air washed surface) at aft edge of the spinner10is comprised of composite woven fabric50. That fabric could be carbon, glass, or a combination of the two. Alternatively, uni-directional tape could be used. A separate material52is used to fill in the interior of the bump shapes20. These elements14,50,52are assembled into mold tooling and RTM (Resin Transfer Mold) processed and cured together to form one integral component as suggested inFIG. 2.

By combining woven fabric50with the filament winding, geometry that is not symmetrical about an axis can be achieved while still having the structural features of a filament wound cone14. As the different materials are RTM processed and cured together, the bump shapes20are integral to the cone10. This provides a design that is robust against material loss during service. Additionally, weight and cost are reduced with having one generally seamless component rather than two or more separate parts.

Another illustrative spinner210adapted for use in gas turbine engine100is shown inFIGS. 5-7. The spinner210is substantially similar to the spinner10shown inFIGS. 1-4and described herein. Accordingly, similar reference numbers in the 200 series indicate features that are common between the spinner10and the spinner210. Specifically (but not exclusively), the forward tip212and the body214included in the spinner210are equivalent to the forward tip12and the body14of the spinner10. The description of the spinner10is hereby incorporated by reference to apply to the spinner210, except in instances when it conflicts with the specific description and drawings of the spinner210.

Like the spinner10, an aft ring216of the spinner210illustratively includes a band218and fairings220as shown inFIG. 5. The band218overlaps the side wall230included in the body214along the aft side232of the body214. The fairings220extend outward in a radial direction from the band218away from the central axis211. The fairings220are arranged to extend from an aft side242of the aft ring216toward a front side241of the aft ring216and some circumferential distance around the aft ring216. The fairings220are also spaced equidistantly from one another around the circumference of the band218.

Unlike the spinner10, the spinner210includes an aft ring216that includes a plurality of segments260as shown inFIGS. 5-7. The plurality of segments260are coupled to one another by axially-extending and circumferentially-extending joints262as shown inFIG. 5. The segments260are bonded to or preformed together prior to bonding of the aft ring216to the body214.

In the illustrative embodiment, the joints262are abutment joints formed by the segments260as shown inFIGS. 5 and 7. For purposes of this disclosure, abutment joints are joints formed by circumferentially adjacent placement of the segments260next to one another without overlapping. Optionally, the abutment joint262may be a lap joint262′ having some overlap as suggested in phantom inFIG. 6.

Each segment260illustratively includes one or more layers of dry woven fabric sheets271,272and a pair of plugs252forming two fairings220as shown inFIGS. 5-7. The dry woven fabric sheets271,272illustratively extend substantially the same distance in the axial direction along side wall230of the body214toward the forward side231of the side wall230as shown inFIG. 7. The plugs252fill the fairings220formed by the aft ring216and are bonded to or preformed with the dry woven fabric sheets271,272prior to bonding of the aft ring216to the body214. In other embodiments, more plugs252may be included in each segment260.

The dry woven fabric sheets271,272are bonded to the body214during the resin transfer molding process. In the illustrative embodiment, the dry woven fabric sheets271,272are arranged to provide the outer surface of the spinner210along the aft ring216portion of the spinner210. In other embodiments, the dry woven fabric sheets271,272may be replaced by or reinforced with uni-directional tape.

In the illustrative spinner210, the bump ring216is comprised of one or more layers of dry woven fabric segments260that contain a binder. Each of these segments260spans two or more bumps. The binder is added to the dry fabric so that the bumps may be pre-formed into a “preform” to retain their shape prior to and during the RTM process. Alternatively, a dry fabric could be used where a resin is applied to the fabric during the assembly of the bump ring216prior to RTM. Another alternative is to use fabric pre-impregnated with resin. Where the segments260meet there is illustratively an abutment joint262(no overlap in the segments). Optionally, the abutment joint262may be a lap joint262′ having some overlap as suggested in phantom inFIG. 6.

Another illustrative spinner310adapted for use in gas turbine engine100is shown inFIGS. 8-10. The spinner310is substantially similar to the spinner210shown inFIGS. 5-7and described herein. Accordingly, similar reference numbers in the 300 series indicate features that are common between the spinner210and the spinner310. The description of the spinner210is hereby incorporated by reference to apply to the spinner310, except in instances when it conflicts with the specific description and drawings of the spinner310.

Unlike the spinner210, each segment360included in the aft ring316of spinner310forms only one fairing320of the aft ring316as shown inFIG. 8. More particularly, each segment360included in the aft ring316includes one or more layers of dry woven fabric sheets371,372and a single plug352forming a single fairing320as shown inFIGS. 8 and 10.

Another illustrative spinner410adapted for use in gas turbine engine100is shown inFIGS. 11-13. The spinner410is substantially similar to the spinner10shown inFIGS. 1-4and described herein. Accordingly, similar reference numbers in the 400 series indicate features that are common between the spinner10and the spinner410. Specifically (but not exclusively), the forward tip412and the body414included in the spinner410are equivalent to the forward tip12and the body14of the spinner10. The description of the spinner10is hereby incorporated by reference to apply to the spinner410, except in instances when it conflicts with the specific description and drawings of the spinner410.

Like the spinner10, an aft ring416of the spinner410illustratively includes a band418and fairings420as shown inFIG. 11. The band418overlaps the side wall430included in the body414along the aft side432of the body414. The fairings420extend outward in a radial direction from the band418away from the central axis411. The fairings420are arranged to extend from an aft side442of the aft ring416toward a front side441of the aft ring416and some circumferential distance around the aft ring416. The fairings420are also spaced equidistantly from one another around the circumference of the band418.

Unlike the spinner10, the spinner410includes an aft ring416that includes a plurality of segments460as shown inFIGS. 11-13. The plurality of segments460are coupled to one another by axially-extending and circumferentially-extending joints462as shown inFIG. 11. The segments460are bonded to or preformed together prior to bonding of the aft ring416to the body414.

In the illustrative embodiment, the joints462are abutment joints formed by the segments460as shown inFIG. 13. For purposes of this disclosure, abutment joints are joints formed by circumferentially adjacent placement of the segments460next to one another without overlapping. Optionally, the abutment joint462may be a lap joint462′ having some overlap as suggested in phantom inFIG. 12.

Each segment460illustratively includes one or more layers of dry woven fabric sheets471,472and a pair of plugs452as shown inFIGS. 11 and 13. The dry woven fabric sheets471,472are arranged to be stepped up to gradually increase the thickness of the band418of the aft ring16as the band418extends from a forward side441of the aft ring416toward an aft side442of the aft ring416as shown inFIG. 13. The plugs452fill the fairings420formed by the aft ring416and are bonded to or preformed with the dry woven fabric sheets471,472prior to bonding of the aft ring416to the body414. In other embodiments, more plugs452may be included in each segment460.

In the illustrative embodiment, radially-outer layer472of the aft ring416extends further in the axial direction along the side wall430toward the forward side431of the side wall430than radially-inner layer471. This arrangement may reduce the resin infused along the forward side441of the aft ring416.

The dry woven fabric sheets471,472are bonded to the body414during the resin transfer molding process. In the illustrative embodiment, the dry woven fabric sheets471,472are arranged to provide the outer surface of the spinner410along the aft ring416portion of the spinner410. In other embodiments, the dry woven fabric sheets471,472may be replaced by or reinforced with uni-directional tape.

Another illustrative spinner510adapted for use in gas turbine engine100is shown inFIGS. 14-16. The spinner510is substantially similar to the spinner410shown inFIGS. 11-13and described herein. Accordingly, similar reference numbers in the 500 series indicate features that are common between the spinner410and the spinner510. The description of the spinner410is hereby incorporated by reference to apply to the spinner510, except in instances when it conflicts with the specific description and drawings of the spinner510.

Unlike the spinner410, each segment560included in the aft ring516of spinner510forms only one fairing520of the aft ring516as shown inFIG. 14. More particularly, each segment560included in the aft ring516includes one or more layers of dry woven fabric sheets571,572and a single plug552forming a single fairing520as shown inFIGS. 14 and 16.

Another illustrative spinner610adapted for use in gas turbine engine100is shown inFIGS. 17-19. The spinner610is substantially similar to the spinner10shown inFIGS. 1-4and described herein. Accordingly, similar reference numbers in the 600 series indicate features that are common between the spinner10and the spinner610. Specifically (but not exclusively), the forward tip612and the body614included in the spinner610are equivalent to the forward tip12and the body14of the spinner10. The description of the spinner10is hereby incorporated by reference to apply to the spinner610, except in instances when it conflicts with the specific description and drawings of the spinner610.

Like the spinner10, an aft ring616of the spinner610illustratively includes a band618and fairings620as shown inFIG. 17. The band618overlaps the side wall630included in the body614along the aft side632of the body614. The fairings620extend outward in a radial direction from the band618away from the central axis611. The fairings620are arranged to extend from an aft side642of the aft ring616toward a front side641of the aft ring616and some circumferential distance around the aft ring616. The fairings620are also spaced equidistantly from one another around the circumference of the band618.

Unlike the spinner10, the spinner610includes an aft ring616that includes a plurality of segments660as shown inFIGS. 17-19. The plurality of segments660are coupled to one another by axially-extending and circumferentially-extending joints662as shown inFIG. 17. The segments660are bonded to or preformed together prior to bonding of the aft ring616to the body614.

Each segment660illustratively includes one or more layers of dry woven fabric sheets671,672and a pair of plugs652as shown inFIGS. 17 and 19. The dry woven fabric sheets671,672are arranged to be stepped up to gradually increase the thickness of the band618of the aft ring16as the band618extends from a forward side641of the aft ring616toward an aft side642of the aft ring616as shown inFIG. 19. The plugs652fill the fairings620formed by the aft ring616and are bonded to or preformed with the dry woven fabric sheets671,672prior to bonding of the aft ring616to the body614. In other embodiments, more plugs652may be included in each segment660.

In the illustrative embodiment, radially-outer layer672of the aft ring616extends further in the axial direction along the side wall30toward the forward side631of the side wall630than radially-inner layer671. This arrangement may reduce the resin infused along the forward side641of the aft ring616.

In the illustrative embodiment, the joints662are staggered joints formed by the segments660as shown inFIG. 18. For purposes of this disclosure, staggered joints are joints formed when segments660are arranged to circumferentially overlap at least a portion of adjacent segments660. In the illustrative embodiment, a radially-outer layer formed by a dry woven fabric sheet672included in each segment660is arranged to circumferentially overlap a radially-inner layer formed by a dry woven fabric sheet671of one adjacent segment660to form a staggered joint between each pair of adjacent segments660. In the illustrative embodiment, radially-inner layers formed by dry woven fabric sheets671of adjacent segments660also extend circumferentially so that they abut one another as shown inFIG. 18. Optionally, the sheets within the same layer may form a lap joint662′ having some overlap as suggested in phantom inFIG. 18.

The dry woven fabric sheets671,672are bonded to the body614during the resin transfer molding process. In the illustrative embodiment, the dry woven fabric sheets671,672are arranged to provide the outer surface of the spinner610along the aft ring616portion of the spinner610. In other embodiments, the dry woven fabric sheets671,672may be replaced by or reinforced with uni-directional tape.

Another illustrative spinner710adapted for use in gas turbine engine100is shown inFIGS. 20-22. The spinner710is substantially similar to the spinner610shown inFIGS. 17-19and described herein. Accordingly, similar reference numbers in the 700 series indicate features that are common between the spinner610and the spinner710. The description of the spinner610is hereby incorporated by reference to apply to the spinner710, except in instances when it conflicts with the specific description and drawings of the spinner710.

Unlike the spinner610, each segment760included in the aft ring716of spinner710forms only one fairing720of the aft ring716as shown inFIG. 20. More particularly, each segment760included in the aft ring716includes one or more layers of dry woven fabric sheets771,772and a single plug752forming a single fairing720as shown inFIGS. 20 and 22.

Another illustrative spinner810adapted for use in gas turbine engine100is shown inFIGS. 23-25. The spinner810is substantially similar to the spinner10shown inFIGS. 1-4and described herein. Accordingly, similar reference numbers in the 800 series indicate features that are common between the spinner10and the spinner810. Specifically (but not exclusively), the forward tip812and the body814included in the spinner810are equivalent to the forward tip12and the body14of the spinner10. The description of the spinner10is hereby incorporated by reference to apply to the spinner810, except in instances when it conflicts with the specific description and drawings of the spinner810.

Like the spinner10, an aft ring816of the spinner810illustratively includes a band818and fairings820as shown inFIG. 23. The band818overlaps the side wall830included in the body814along the aft side832of the body814. The fairings820extend outward in a radial direction from the band818away from the central axis811. The fairings820are arranged to extend from an aft side842of the aft ring816toward a front side841of the aft ring816and some circumferential distance around the aft ring816. The fairings820are also spaced equidistantly from one another around the circumference of the band818.

Unlike the spinner10, the spinner810includes an aft ring816that includes one or more layers of dry woven fabric sheets871,872and plugs852that cooperate with the layers of sheets871,872to form the fairings820as shown inFIGS. 23-25. The layers of dry woven fabric sheets871,872form circumferentially offset joints885,895between plies (or sheets) of material881,882,891,892.

In the particular embodiment shown, an inner layer of dry woven fabric sheets871includes plies (or individual sheets)881,882that each extend part-way around the circumference of the body814and that form a joint885there between. An outer layer of dry woven fabric sheets872includes plies (or individual sheets)891,892that each extend part-way around the circumference of the body814and that form a joint895therebetween. Each ply881,882,891,892of the illustrative embodiment extends circumferentially far enough to form at least two fairings820and the joints885,895are circumferentially offset from one another so that at least one fairing820is arranged between the joints885,895of the radially-adjacent inner and outer layer of dry woven fabric sheets871,872. Optionally, the sheets within the same layer may form a lap joint862′ having some overlap as suggested in phantom inFIG. 24.

It is contemplated that a ply881of the inner layer of dry woven fabric sheets871may cooperate with a corresponding ply891of the outer layer of dry woven fabric sheets872to provide a segment860as suggested inFIG. 24. Such segment860are illustratively arranged to circumferentially overlap a portion of one adjacent segment860to form circumferentially overlapping joints862between each pair of circumferentially adjacent segments. Such segments860may extend over three or more plugs852and may contribute to the formation of three or more fairings820. In some embodiments, additional layers of dry woven fabric sheets may be incorporated into the aft ring816; such layers may include plies of material that form joints circumferentially offset from radially-adjacent layers by at least one fairing820.

In the illustrative embodiment, a radially-outer layer872extends further in the axial direction along the body814toward the forward side831of the body814than a radially-inner layer871. In other embodiments, the dry woven fabric sheets871,872may extend substantially the same distance in the axial direction along side wall830of the body814toward the forward side831of the side wall830as suggested in the embodiment ofFIG. 7. The plugs852fill the fairings820formed by the aft ring816and are bonded to or preformed with the dry woven fabric sheets871,872prior to bonding of the aft ring816to the body814as suggested inFIG. 24.

The dry woven fabric sheets871,872are bonded to the body814during the resin transfer molding process. In the illustrative embodiment, the dry woven fabric sheets871,872are arranged to provide the outer surface of the spinner810along the aft ring816portion of the spinner810. In other embodiments, the dry woven fabric sheets871,872may be replaced by or reinforced with uni-directional tape.