System and method for shaping a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) sheet
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsHongqiang Chen, Steven Robert Hayashi, Martin Kin-Fei Lee, Nitin Garg, Nolan Leander Cousineau, Derrick Wayne Knotts
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Abstract
A method for shaping a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) sheet having a first surface and a second surface is presented. The method includes receiving an input signal representative of a predetermined shape and a type of the CMC sheet. Further, the method includes selecting a laser beam based on the received input signal. Also, the method includes projecting the selected laser beam on the CMC sheet to shape the CMC sheet into the predetermined shape.
Claims3
A system for shaping a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) sheet in a predetermined shape, the system comprising:
- a base plate configured to support the CMC sheet having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the base plate is coupled to the second surface of the CMC sheet;
- a laser device comprising:
- a user interface configured to receive an input signal representative of a predetermined shape and a type of the CMC sheet;
- a processor coupled to the user interface and configured to select a laser beam based on the received input signal;
- a beam generating unit coupled to the processor and configured to project the selected laser beam on the first surface of the CMC sheet to shape the CMC sheet in the predetermined shape;
- and
- a fire retardant structure positioned between the base plate and the CMC sheet and configured to minimize cut damage at the second surface of the CMC sheet;
- and
- wherein the fire retardant structure comprises at least one of an aluminum (Al) honey comb structure and a honey comb structure configured to absorb heat generated by the laser beam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.