LF-2 Lightweight Lift Fan Front Frame Design

摘要

The design, the manufacturing problems and their solutions, and the limited testing of a new bolted component assembled lightweight front frame for a tip turbine lift fan are discussed. This new frame was necessary for compatibility with a new lightweight improved critical speed response rotor design and to replace the present X353-5B front frame which is used in the General Electric Company's XV-5A Lift Fan Flight Research Program with a lighter weight and lower cost unit. The functions, description, design considerations, and stresses are discussed for each component. The frame component weights as calculated have been tabulated, and a comparison of the summation of the component calculated weights of 99.6 pounds versus the actual pan weight of 103 pounds is discussed. The frame was tested to 100-percent rotor speed loading as a component part of the LF-2 lift fan assembly. Limited operating data were obtained because of test termination resulting from turbine bucket shroud damage. (Author)