General Electric. has been granted a patent for a rotating airfoil featuring a body with a vibration absorber housed within a cavity. The absorber’s natural frequency differs from that of the airfoil by at least ten percent, allowing it to move freely without contact during operation. GlobalData’s report on General Electric gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on General Electric, Photovoltaic drones was a key innovation area identified from patents. General Electric's grant share as of June 2024 was 71%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Rotating airfoil with internal vibration absorber for frequency tuning
The patent US12043368B2 describes a novel rotating airfoil designed to enhance performance through the incorporation of a vibration absorber. The airfoil features a body with a root end and a tip, containing a cavity defined by multiple walls. Within this cavity, a vibration absorber is strategically positioned to move freely without making contact with the walls when subjected to an excitation frequency. Notably, the natural frequency of the vibration absorber is required to differ from that of the rotating airfoil by at least ten percent, with specific claims detailing the frequency range of the absorber and its adjustable nature—either actively via a controller or passively through an adjustable mass. The design also allows for multiple vibration absorbers with distinct natural frequencies to be integrated into the airfoil.
Further claims expand on the structural elements of the airfoil, including the use of foam and a spar, which can house the vibration absorber. The cavity may extend longitudinally from the tip of the airfoil, and the vibration absorber can take the form of a cantilevered beam, ensuring it vibrates within the cavity without contact. The patent also outlines a rotating airfoil assembly comprising multiple such airfoils, which can produce excitation frequencies due to asymmetric loading when the rotation axis is angled relative to airflow. This assembly is intended for use in engines, particularly unducted single fan engines, where it is coupled to a torque-producing system, enhancing the overall efficiency and performance of the engine.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
