Method and coating for protecting and repairing an airfoil surface using molded boots, sheet or tape

Abstract

Disclosed is a field repairable airfoil structure such as a wing or a rotor blade and a method for repair and removal of erosion or impact damage to elastomeric coatings on surfaces such as the leading edge of the airfoil using special hand sandable coatings and preformed molded boots, preformed sheets or tapes with an optional topcoat applied thereto having higher sand erosion resistance.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This patent application is a continuation-in-part and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 640,050, entitled “Method and Coating for Protecting and Repairing an Airfoil Surface,” filed on Dec. 14, 2006. The disclosure of this patent application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.[0002]Portions of the disclosed invention were developed through a combination of federal and private funding. The federal funding was provided by contract N68335-04-C-0071, awarded by NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER-AIRCRAFT DIVISION, United States Navy . . .FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0003]This invention relates to the repair and removal of erosion or impact damage to elastomeric coatings (coatings means preformed molded boots, preformed sheets or tapes and their Repair Basecoat and Repair Topcoat) on a curved substrate, particularly such surfaces as the leading edge of the airfoil which may take the form of a wing, ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]Another embodiment is directed to an elastomeric airfoil erosion protection coating for visual detection of water and sand erosion damage comprising having the elastomeric basecoat of a contrasting color to the color of the topcoat layer which is visible on the outer surface. This system of contrasting colored coating layers provides visual detection of any damage by detecting the appearance of the contrasting color the underlying layers thereby indicating damage in the area. In another related aspect, there are three contrasting colored layers (a) a primer / adhesive of a first color applied directly on a structural substrate of said airfoil surrounding a leading edge of said airfoil; (b) a basecoat or repair basecoat of a second color applied over said primer / adhesive; and (c) a topcoat of a third color on top of said basecoat, wherein said first color, second color and third color are contrasting colors allowing visual detection of damage to said protection coating by visual inspection to detect the appearance of the second color of said basecoat or first color of said primer indicating damage in the area. The contrasting colored coating system is used in a method of detecting damage to an airfoil erosion protection coating allowing the slight damage to be repaired before the airfoil substrate is damaged, thereby prolonging service life. The repair method described above is useful for such repair.

Problems solved by technology

The contrasting colored coating system is used in a method of detecting damage to an airfoil erosion protection coating allowing the slight damage to be repaired before the airfoil substrate is damaged, thereby prolonging service life.

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