Fan disk
Encyclopedia
A fan disk is the part of a turbofan
jet engine
that contains the fan blades. It is considered one of the most critical components of the engine and has four main functions:
Because of the critical nature of this component a fan disk failure is considered hazardous to the aircraft. They are usually made from a single titanium
alloy
forging.
, which crashed after the fan disc in its number two engine shattered and damaged all hydraulic systems.
Turbofan
The turbofan is a type of airbreathing jet engine that is widely used for aircraft propulsion. A turbofan combines two types of engines, the turbo portion which is a conventional gas turbine engine, and the fan, a propeller-like ducted fan...
jet engine
Jet engine
A jet engine is a reaction engine that discharges a fast moving jet to generate thrust by jet propulsion and in accordance with Newton's laws of motion. This broad definition of jet engines includes turbojets, turbofans, rockets, ramjets, pulse jets...
that contains the fan blades. It is considered one of the most critical components of the engine and has four main functions:
- React to centrifugal loads from the fan blades - both during normal operation and during a fan blade off event
- Provide attachment from the low pressure (LP) shaft to drive the fan and to retain the fan blades
- Absorb impact loads
- Provide attachment for the nose coneNose coneThe term nose cone is used to refer to the forwardmost section of a rocket, guided missile or aircraft. The cone is shaped to offer minimum aerodynamic resistance...
and other peripheral components
Because of the critical nature of this component a fan disk failure is considered hazardous to the aircraft. They are usually made from a single titanium
Titanium
Titanium is a chemical element with the symbol Ti and atomic number 22. It has a low density and is a strong, lustrous, corrosion-resistant transition metal with a silver color....
alloy
Alloy
An alloy is a mixture or metallic solid solution composed of two or more elements. Complete solid solution alloys give single solid phase microstructure, while partial solutions give two or more phases that may or may not be homogeneous in distribution, depending on thermal history...
forging.
See also
United Airlines flight 232United Airlines Flight 232
United Airlines Flight 232 was a scheduled flight from Stapleton International Airport in Denver, Colorado, to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, with continuing service to Philadelphia International Airport...
, which crashed after the fan disc in its number two engine shattered and damaged all hydraulic systems.