Patent ID: 7837438

Claim:
An airfoil assembly comprising: a forward airfoil segment defining the leading edge of the airfoil assembly at one end and providing an interface surface at an opposite end; an aft airfoil segment defining the trailing edge of the airfoil assembly at one end and providing an interface surface at the opposite end, the aft airfoil segment being made of metal, wherein the interface surfaces of the airfoil segments are positioned substantially proximate to each other so as to form a gap therebetween; and a sealing device positioned in at least a portion of the gap, wherein the interface surface of the forward segment substantially matingly corresponds to the interface surface of the aft segment such that at least the interface surfaces hold the sealing device in compression, whereby the sealing device substantially seals the gap and provides compliance between the forward and aft airfoil segments, and wherein the forward airfoil segment does not directly contact the aft airfoil segment.