Patent · US Expired

Turbofan engine having a counterrotating partially geared fan drive turbine

US4969325A · kind A · utility

95Cited by
5References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 3, 1989
Grant dateNov 13, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 3, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T50/60
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A high bypass ratio turbofan engine having a fan section, a booster compressor disposed aft of the fan section relative to the flow of combustion gases through the engine, and a core section disposed aft of the booster compressor. A low pressure counterrotating turbine, disposed aft of the core section, is used for driving the fan section and the booster compressor. The counterrotating turbine includes at least one set of rotating turbine blades and at least one set of oppositely rotating counterrotating turbine blades. A twin spool shaft is provided for coupling the turbine blades to the booster compressor and for coupling the counterrotating turbine blades to the fan section. A reduction gear is disposed in the drive shaft for coupling the turbine blades to the fan section and for reducing the rotational speed of the turbine output power to match the rotational speed of the fan section thereby splitting the usable work of the turbine blades between the fan section and the booster.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.