Patent · US Active

Hollow CMC airfoil with internal stitch

US7600978B2 · kind B2 · utility

22Cited by
10References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 27, 2006
Grant dateOct 13, 2009
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 15, 2027

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF05D2300/603
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A CMC airfoil (20) formed with CMC stitches (37) interconnected between opposed walls (26, 28) of the airfoil to restrain outward flexing of the walls resulting from pressurized cooling air within the airfoil. The airfoil may be formed of a ceramic fabric infused with a ceramic matrix and dried, and may be partially to fully cured. Then holes (32, 34) are formed in the opposed walls of the airfoil, and a ceramic stitching element such as ceramic fibers (36) or a ceramic tube (44) is threaded through the holes. The stitching element is infused with a wet ceramic matrix before or after threading, and is flared (38) or otherwise anchored to the walls (26, 28) to form a stitch (37) there between. The airfoil and stitch are then cured. If the airfoil is cured before stitching, a pre-tension is formed in the stitch due to relative curing shrinkage.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.