Platform mounted components

Abstract

A platform arrangement for components such as aerofoil vanesis provided whereby the necessary rigidity provided by the platform does not create excess problems with respect to stress and strain fatigue failure at thinner sections of the component. The leading edgeand trailing edgeof a vane generally have a thinner section and so when subject to greater flex deformation such flex deformation may lead to premature failure through stress and strain. Structural configurations are now provided which comprise cut out windowsin the platformbeneath the edgesor alternatively differential material types at these locations with a less stiff nature. Generally, a backing memberis provided below an integral platform layerto create generally greater stiffness in the platform unit formed by the combination but in accordance with the present invention this backing membermay include the cut out windowsor have the necessary differential material types for variable flexibility compliance at portions of reduced component cross-section.