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:
- 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 cone 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 alloy forging.
Famous quotes containing the words fan and/or disk:
“Being a [Chicago] Cubs fan prepares you for life—and Washington.”
—Hillary Rodham Clinton (b. 1947)
“Unloved, that beech will gather brown,
This maple burn itself away;
Unloved, the sun-flower, shining fair,
Ray round with flames her disk of seed,
And many a rose-carnation feed
With summer spice the humming air;”
—Alfred Tennyson (1809–1892)