Cover plate for CMC components
AssigneeRtx Corporation
InventorsRussell Kim, Monty Harned, David J Wasserman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A conformable cover plate can be used to provide a barrier layer between ceramic matrix composite (CMC) components of jet engines and metallic ancillary hardware that is used, for example, to support the CMC components within the engine. The cover plate conforms to a structure feature of the CMC component that will be in close proximity to the ancillary hardware. By acting as a barrier layer, the conformable cover plate can reduce abrasion of the CMC material and/or prevent or ameliorate undesired chemical interactions between SiC-containing CMCs and Ni-based metals. Further, the conformable cover plate can act as a heat shield to lower heat transfer between CMC components and the ancillary hardware.
Claims19
An arrangement comprising:
- a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) component comprising a substrate containing ceramic fibers/fiber tows within a matrix, the substrate having an outer radial surface and a structural feature on the outer radial surface;
- and
- a conformable metal cover plate that conforms to at least a portion of the surface of the structural feature, wherein the conformable metal cover plate is made from a Ni-based or Co-based superalloy, and the conformable metal cover plate provides a barrier layer between the CMC component and metallic ancillary hardware,
- wherein the structural feature is a flange and the conformable metal cover plate conforms to the flange and acts as a barrier between the flange and the metallic supporting ancillary hardware,
- wherein the flange has a slot or hole into which a portion of the conformable metal cover plate extends, and
- wherein the conformable metal cover plate is held in compressive engagement between the structural feature and the ancillary hardware.
A method of reducing thermal, abrasive, and/or chemical interaction between a CMC component and ancillary hardware comprising:
- providing a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) component comprising a substrate containing ceramic fibers/fiber tows within a matrix, the substrate having an outer radial surface and a structural feature on the outer radial surface;
- and
- providing a conformable metal cover plate that conforms to at least a portion of the surface of the structural feature, wherein the conformable metal cover plate is made from a Ni-based or Co-based superalloy, and the conformable metal cover plate provides a barrier layer between the CMC component and ancillary hardware,
- wherein the structural feature is a flange and the conformable metal cover plate conforms to the flange and acts as a barrier between the flange and the metallic supporting ancillary hardware,
- wherein the flange has a slot or hole into which a portion of the conformable metal cover plate extends, and
- wherein the conformable metal cover plate is held in compressive engagement between the structural feature and the ancillary hardware.
A turbine engine comprising:
- a fan section, a compressor section, a combustion section, and a turbine section, the turbine section including at least one rotor and one or more turbine blade(s) extending radially outwardly from the at least one rotor;
- a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) component comprising a substrate containing ceramic fibers/fiber tows within a matrix, the substrate having an outer radial surface and a structural feature on the outer radial surface;
- and a conformable metal cover plate that conforms to at least a portion of the surface of the structural feature, wherein the conformable metal cover plate is made from a Ni-based or Co-based superalloy, and the conformable metal cover plate provides a barrier layer between the CMC component and ancillary hardware,
- wherein the structural feature is a flange and the conformable metal cover plate conforms to the flange and acts as a barrier between the flange and the metallic supporting ancillary hardware,
- wherein the flange has a slot or hole into which a portion of the conformable metal cover plate extends, and
- wherein the conformable metal cover plate is held in compressive engagement between the structural feature and the ancillary hardware.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.