Patent ID: 8075273

Claim:
An apparatus, comprising: (a) a fan blade, wherein the fan blade has a first end and a second end, wherein the fan blade further has an upper surface and a lower surface defining a maximum thickness at the first end, wherein the maximum thickness has a location relative to the lower surface, wherein the location of the maximum thickness defines a point on the lower surface, wherein at least part of the fan blade defines an airfoil shape; and (b) a winglet coupled with the first end of the fan blade, wherein the winglet comprises a substantially vertical member, wherein the substantially vertical member has a perimeter defined by a lower edge, an upper edge, and a rear edge, wherein the rear edge of the vertical member has a length that is greater than the maximum thickness of the first end of the fan blade, wherein the lower edge extends below the lower surface of the fan blade, wherein the lower edge and the upper edge meet at an intersection, wherein the intersection is located forward of a leading edge of the fan blade, and wherein the intersection is located below the point on the lower surface defined by the maximum thickness.