Repair of ceramic matrix composite gas turbine engine article with monolithic ceramic repair element
AssigneeRtx Corporation
InventorRaymond Surace
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A gas turbine engine article includes a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) wall that has an exterior core gaspath surface and a blind hole. A monolithic ceramic repair element is attached with the CMC wall. The repair element includes a repair element surface that is substantially flush with the at least one exterior core gaspath surface. The ceramic repair element includes a through-hole aligned with the blind hole. A fastener extends through the through-hole and into the blind hole and secures the repair element with the CMC wall.
Claims21
A gas turbine engine article comprising:
- a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) wall having an exterior core gaspath surface, the CMC wall having a blind hole, the CMC of the wall comprised of ceramic fibers embedded in a ceramic matrix;
- a monolithic ceramic repair element attached with the CMC wall, the monolithic ceramic of the repair element comprised of a single material with no fibers or reinforcement, the repair element including a repair element surface that is substantially flush with the at least one exterior core gaspath surface, the ceramic repair element including a through-hole aligned with the blind hole;
- and
- a fastener extending through the through-hole and into the blind hole, the fastener securing the repair element with the CMC wall, the fastener including a shank and a head, and the head is embedded in the CMC wall.
(canceled)
(canceled)
A gas turbine engine comprising:
- a compressor section;
- a combustor in fluid communication with the compressor section;
- and
- a turbine section in fluid communication with the combustor, the turbine section having a turbine article that includes:
- a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) wall having an exterior core gaspath surface, the CMC wall having a blind hole, the CMC of the wall comprised of ceramic fibers embedded in a ceramic matrix,
- a monolithic ceramic repair element attached with the CMC wall, the monolithic ceramic of the repair element comprised of a single material with no fibers or reinforcement, the repair element including a repair element surface that is substantially flush with the at least one exterior core gaspath surface, the ceramic repair element including a through-hole aligned with the blind hole, and
- a fastener extending through the through-hole and into the blind hole, the fastener securing the repair element with the CMC wall, the fastener including a shank and a head, and the head is embedded in the CMC wall.
(canceled)
A method of repairing a damaged portion of a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) wall of a gas turbine engine article, the method comprising:
- removing the damaged region from the CMC wall, the CMC wall has an exterior core gaspath surface;
- providing the CMC wall with a blind hole;
- providing a monolithic ceramic repair element that includes a through-hole and positioning the monolithic ceramic repair element on the CMC wall such that the through-hole aligns with the blind hole;
- and
- securing the repair element with the CMC wall by arranging a fastener to extend through the through-hole and into the blind hole, the fastener including a shank and a head, and the head is embedded in the CMC wall.
A gas turbine engine article comprising:
- a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) wall having an exterior core gaspath surface, the CMC wall having a blind hole that does not extend all the way through the CMC wall;
- a monolithic ceramic repair element attached with the CMC wall, the repair element including a repair element surface that is substantially flush with the at least one exterior core gaspath surface, the ceramic repair element including a through-hole aligned with the blind hole;
- and
- a fastener extending through the through-hole and into the blind hole, the fastener securing the repair element with the CMC wall.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.