Method for the hybrid construction of multi-piece parts
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsSrikanth Chandrudu Kottilingam, David Edward Schick, Jon Conrad Schaeffer, Steven J. Barnell, Brian Lee Tollison, Yan Cui
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A multi-piece part includes multiple pieces fabricated via different types of fabrication processes, wherein the multiple parts are configured to be coupled to one another to form the assembly. At least one of the multiple parts is fabricated via an additive manufacturing method. The multi-piece part also includes a holder assembly that couples and holds together the multiple pieces of the multi-piece part, wherein the holder assembly comprises a reversible, mechanical-type coupling.
Claims20
A method, comprising:
- fabricating a plurality of pieces of a multi-piece part via a plurality of different types of fabrication processes, wherein at least one piece of the plurality of pieces is fabricated via an additive manufacturing process;
- post-processing the at least one piece individually and separately from a remainder of the plurality of pieces by heat treating, surface coating, and/or machining the at least one piece;
- after post-processing the at least one piece, coupling the plurality of pieces together to assemble the multi-piece part;
- and
- securing the plurality of pieces of the multi-piece part to one another via a holder assembly.
A method, comprising:
- fabricating a first piece of a multi-piece part via an additive manufacturing process, wherein the first piece includes a first end face;
- fabricating a second piece and a third piece of the multi-piece part via an additional manufacturing process, wherein the second piece includes a second end face;
- fabricating a set of complementary alignment features comprising one or more pillars on the first end face and one or more recesses within the second end face;
- and
- coupling the first piece, the second piece, and the third piece to one another to form the multi-piece part, wherein the first piece is coupled to the second piece along an interface between the first end face and the second end face such that the complementary alignment features receive and engage with one another along the interface.
A method, comprising:
- fabricating a plurality of pieces of a multi-piece part, wherein the fabricating of the plurality of pieces comprises:
- fabricating a first piece of the multi-piece part from a metal matrix composite, a ceramic matrix composite, or an intermetallic material via an additive manufacturing process;
- fabricating a second piece and a third piece of the multi-piece part from a metal or a metal alloy via an additional manufacturing process;
- forming a first plurality of complementary alignment features on the first piece and the second piece and forming a second plurality of complementary alignment features on the first piece and the third piece;
- coupling the first piece and the second piece to mechanically engage the first plurality of complementary alignment features and coupling the first piece to the third piece to mechanically engage the second plurality of complementary alignment features;
- and
- securing the plurality of pieces to one another via a holder assembly to form a turbine component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.