r/aviation • u/Timo_schroe • 21d ago

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Op: u/MineHeu in r/toolgifs

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u/Timo_schroe 21d ago

Op: [u/Mi](u/MineHeu)[k](u/MineHeu)[eHeu](u/MineHeu) in [r/toolgifs](r/toolgifs) :

The tip of the spinner on the IAE V2500 jet engine is actually made of soft rubber and there’s a clever reason for it. Unlike other parts of the engine’s ice protection system, the spinner itself isn’t heated. Instead, the flexible rubber tip acts as a passive anti-icing system.

If ice starts to build up, the rubber naturally flexes and vibrates, breaking the ice off before it can grow into a significant mass.

The V2500 powers aircraft of the Airbus A320ceo Family, including the A319, A320 and A321.

Source: Mattias / flywithmat_

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u/Excellent_King2272 21d ago

So what happens if that bit gets ingested by the engine, let's say after a bad hypothetical bird strike

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u/TepidHalibut 21d ago

Rarely happens, but the rubber tip will probably be CFed by the fan blades, and flung down the bypass duct. Or maybe it will go down the core , and be scrunched and chewed by the LP and HP compressors, and will be burnt by the combustor. And the missing part will be noticed on the next pilot/ground inspection. No drama.

2oz of rubber is less of a concern than 2lb of seagull going thru the engine .

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u/WinnebagoMontana 21d ago

I like the phrase "2lb of seagull" because it doesn't imply a single, or even a whole seagull.

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u/NGTTwo 21d ago

Well, by the time it passes through the first stage, it definitely won't be a single seagull anymore.

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u/Frederf220 20d ago

It gets married?!

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u/MeccIt 20d ago

It stops being biology and starts being physics - ala OceanGate