Airfoil support
AssigneeFlorida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
InventorAlfred P. Matheny
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A blade or a vane preferably used in a gas turbine engine, the blade or vane being formed of a metallic core or insert with a ceramic airfoil surface bonded to the metallic insert. The insert includes a series of concave and convex portions arranged along the outer surface, in which a plurality of hoop fibers are secured within a resin matrix to firmly secure the metallic insert to the ceramic airfoil body. Axial loads between the insert and the ceramic body are transferred to the hoop fibers. The hoop fibers are strong enough to resist extending in length that would permit the hoop fibers from sliding over the widest portion of the insert.
Claims17
An airfoil, comprising:
- a metallic insert having an outer surface forming a plurality of concave portions and a plurality of convex portions around its outer surface;
- a ceramic airfoil having a hollow section, the metallic insert fitting within the hollow ceramic airfoil;
- a resin matrix material substantially filling a space formed between an inner surface of the ceramic airfoil and the outer surface of the metallic insert;
- and,
- a plurality of hoop fibers embedded into the resin matrix and located substantially within the concave portions of the metallic insert.
A process for forming an airfoil comprising the steps of:
- forming a metallic insert having a series of concave and convex portions on the outer surface of the insert;
- placing a plurality of fiber hoop members within the concave portions of the insert;
- placing the insert with the hoop fibers within a hollow portion of a ceramic airfoil;
- and,
- filling the space formed between the inner surface of the hollow portion of the ceramic airfoil and the outer surface of the insert to secure the hoop fibers.
A ceramic and metallic airfoil for use in a gas turbine engine, the ceramic and metallic airfoil comprising:
- an airfoil having a leading edge and a trailing edge, and a pressure side and a suction side extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge;
- the airfoil being formed from a high temperature resistant ceramic material;
- a metallic insert, the insert having an outer surface forming a concave surface;
- a plurality of fibers wrapping around the metallic insert within the concave surface;
- and,
- a resin matrix filling a space formed between an inner wall of the ceramic airfoil and the outer surface of the metallic insert to provide for a bond between the ceramic airfoil and the insert and to hold the fibers in place within the concave surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.