Integral ceramic matrix composite fastener with non-polymer rigidization
AssigneeUnited Technologies Corporation
InventorDavid C. Jarmon
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Abstract
A method of forming an integral fastener for a ceramic matrix composite component comprises the steps of forming a fiber preform with an opening, forming a fiber fastener, inserting the fiber fastener into the opening, and infiltrating a matrix material into the fiber preform and fiber fastener to form a ceramic matrix composite component with an integral fastener. A gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
Claims27
A method of forming an integral fastener for a ceramic matrix composite component comprising the steps of:
- (a) forming a fiber preform with an opening that has a wide portion at one surface of the fiber preform and a narrow portion at an opposite surface of the fiber preform;
- (b) forming a fiber fastener to comprise a fastener body extending from a first end to a second end, the fastener body defined by a first dimension and having an enlarged head at a first end of a fastener body that is defined by a second dimension that is greater than the first dimension;
- (c) inserting the fiber fastener into the opening to form a dry fiber preform and fiber fastener assembly, wherein the fiber body extends through the fiber preform such that the enlarged head portion formed in step (b) is received within the wide portion of the opening;
- and
- (d) infiltrating a matrix material into the dry fiber preform and fiber fastener assembly subsequent to steps (a) through (c) to form a ceramic matrix composite component with an integral fastener.
A method of forming an integral fastener for a ceramic matrix composite component comprising the steps of:
- (a) forming a fiber preform;
- (b) rigidizing the preform with a non-polymer based material to provide a rigid preform structure;
- (c) machining an opening in the rigid preform structure;
- (d) forming a fiber fastener to have a head portion and a foot portion that has a smaller width than the head portion, and wherein step(c) includes machining the opening to be wider at one surface of the ceramic matrix composite component than at an opposite surface to accommodate the head portion formed in step (d);
- (e) inserting the fiber fastener into the opening;
- (f) removing the non-polymer based material from the rigid perform structure to form a dry fiber preform and fiber fastener assembly;
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- (g) infiltrating a matrix material into the dry fiber preform and fiber fastener assembly to form a ceramic matrix composite component with an integral fastener.
A method of forming an integral fastener for a ceramic matrix composite component comprising the steps of:
- (a) weaving a fiber preform;
- (b) weaving a fiber fastener to comprise an enlarged head at a first end of a fastener body;
- (c) forming an opening in the fiber preform;
- (d) inserting the fiber fastener into the opening to form a dry fiber preform and fiber fastener assembly;
- (e) inserting a filler material into a second end of the fastener body that is opposite the first end to expand the second end to create a fastener foot subsequent to step (d);
- and
- (f) infiltrating a matrix material into the dry fiber preform and fiber fastener assembly subsequent to steps (a) through (e) to form a ceramic matrix composite component with an integral fastener.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.