Design
The TF39 is a revolutionary 1960s engine rated from 41,000 to 43,000 lbf (191 to 205 kN) of thrust. It employed a great deal of then-new technological features such as:
- 1½ stage fan blades (unique to TF39).
- 8:1 bypass ratio.
- Variable stator vanes.
- Turbines equipped with advanced cooling.
- Fuel efficiency better than any engines available at the time.
- Cascade-type thrust reversers.
Mechanically, the TF39 is rather unusual for a high bypass ratio turbofan; the single stage is snubbered ('Snubbers' are protuberances that stick-out at right angles to the fan aerofoil somewhere between mid-span and blade tip). The snubbers on adjacent fan blades butt-up against each other, in a peripheral sense and improve the vibration characteristics of the blade to the fan rotor which has a set of inlet guide vanes for the outer bypass section and the core booster stage located in front of the fan rotor, rather than behind. This unique design is clearly seen from the front.
Read more about this topic: General Electric TF39
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