Contour weaves for interwoven vanes
AssigneeRtx Corporation
InventorChristian X. Campbell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of forming a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) vane comprises drawing a continuous fiber sheet over at least one contoured surface to form a single-folded sheet. The single-folded sheet comprises an airfoil portion, a first platform at a first end of the airfoil portion, and an integral transition region between the airfoil portion and the first platform. The method further comprises mounting the airfoil portion on a mandrel, attaching a second platform to a second, opposing end of the airfoil portion to form a vane preform, and densifying the vane preform.
Claims17
A method of forming a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) vane, the method comprising:
- drawing a continuous fiber sheet over at least one contoured surface to form a single-folded sheet, the single-folded sheet comprising:
- an airfoil portion;
- a first platform at a first end of the airfoil portion;
- and
- an integral transition region between the airfoil portion and the first platform;
- attaching a second platform to a second, opposing end of the airfoil portion to form a vane preform;
- and
- densifying the vane preform,
- wherein the step of attaching the second platform to the second end of the airfoil portion comprises:
- abutting the second platform to a shear tube layer of the airfoil portion;
- and
- overwrapping the shear tube layer and the second platform with at least one additional fiber sheet to form a shear tube transition region.
(canceled)
A method of forming a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) vane, the method comprising:
- drawing a first continuous fiber sheet over at least one contoured surface to form a first single-folded sheet, the first single-folded sheet comprising:
- a first airfoil portion;
- a first platform at a first end of the first airfoil portion;
- and
- a first integral transition region between the airfoil portion and the first platform;
- drawing a second continuous fiber sheet over the at least one contoured surface to form a second single-folded sheet, the second single-folded sheet comprising:
- a second airfoil portion;
- a second platform at a first end of the second airfoil portion;
- and
- a second integral transition region between the second airfoil portion and the second platform;
- attaching the second platform to a second, opposing end of the first airfoil portion;
- attaching the first platform to a second, opposing end of the second airfoil portion to form a vane preform;
- and
- densifying the vane preform.
(canceled)
(canceled)
The method of claim 21, and further comprising:
- splicing the first single-folded sheet to the second single-folded sheet at a first splice location to form a first layer.
16-20. (canceled)
A method of forming a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) vane, the method comprising:
- drawing a first continuous fiber sheet over at least one contoured surface to form a first single-folded sheet, the first single-folded sheet comprising:
- a first airfoil portion;
- a first platform at a first end of the first airfoil portion;
- and
- a first integral transition region between the airfoil portion and the first platform;
- attaching a second platform to a second, opposing end of the first airfoil portion to form a vane preform;
- drawing a second continuous fiber sheet over the at least one contoured surface to form a second single-folded sheet, the second single-folded sheet comprising:
- a second airfoil portion;
- the second platform at a first end of the second airfoil portion;
- and
- a second integral transition region between the second airfoil portion and the second platform;
- and
- densifying the vane preform.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.