System for de-icing a part, in particular an aircraft blade, with integrated abrasion protection

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (1) for de-icing a part (4), in particular a blade (4), comprising - a main surface (2) intended to cover a first face (5) of the part (4), capable of de-icing the first face (5), and - a protective surface (3), in particular folded with respect to the main surface (2), intended to cover a second face of the part (4), in particular opposite the first face (5), the main surface (2) and the protective surface (3) being formed by the same part and being in material continuity with one another.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: DE-ICING SYSTEM FOR A PART, IN PARTICULAR AN AIRCRAFT PAEE, WITH INTEGRATED ABRASION PROTECTION

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The present invention relates to systems for deicing a part, in particular an aircraft part, such as a blade of a turbomachine of an aircraft, and aims to constitute a uniform deicing system having protection having anti-abrasive properties for the part and optimizing the effective deicing surface of the part thanks to an effective surface larger than the surface of the part to be deiced.

[0005] Previous techniques

[0006] De-icing systems known for de-icing a blade are not suitable for protecting the blade against abrasion and require the addition of an additional protective layer.

[0007] Such an addition of an additional protective ply requires an additional operation for installing the de-icing system on the blade and also causes local discontinuities at the junction zones of the de-icing system and the additional protective ply.

[0008] Statement of the invention

[0009] The invention aims to overcome at least some of the aforementioned drawbacks and to propose a defrosting system having a more uniform profile, capable of combining abrasion protection and defrosting performance functions in a single means, without a zone of mechanical discontinuity.

[0010] The invention also makes it possible to avoid assembly steps and to only constitute a single part to be manufactured, which makes it less expensive to produce. In view of the above, the subject of the invention is a system for de-icing a part, in particular a blade, comprising

[0011] - a main surface, intended to cover a first face of said blade to de-ice said first face, and

[0012] - a protective surface, in particular folded relative to the main surface, intended to cover a second face of the part, in particular opposite the first face.

[0013] More specifically, the main surface and the protective surface are formed by the same part and in material continuity with each other.

[0014] Preferably, the main surface has a sufficient dimension to be able to cover at least partially, in particular more than half, typically completely the first face.

[0015] For example, the protective surface has an anti-abrasion material suitable for protecting the part.

[0016] Advantageously, the protective surface comprises an elastomer material. According to one embodiment, the elastomer comprises polyurethane.

[0017] The main surface may have a thickness of between 1 millimeter and 2.5 millimeters, in particular between 1.4 millimeters and 2.5 millimeters.

[0018] Advantageously, the protective surface has a thickness of between 0.5 millimeters and 1.5 millimeters, in particular between 0.7 millimeters and 1.5 millimeters, in particular between 0.7 millimeters and 1 millimeter.

[0019] The defrosting system may further provide that the protective surface extends over an area of ​​between 10% and 50% of the area of ​​the second face.

[0020] Preferably, the defrosting system comprises defrosting means, in particular thermal defrosting means, adapted to be able to heat the main surface to defrost the first face, in particular by applying the main surface thereto.

[0021] The invention also relates to a defrosting system in which the defrosting means are thermoelectric means.

[0022] Of course, the different characteristics, variants and / or embodiments of the present invention can be associated with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other.

[0023] Brief description of the drawings

[0024] The invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description which follows, comprising an embodiment taken as a non-limiting example and illustrated by the appended drawings, which may serve to complete the understanding of the present invention and the description of its embodiment and, where appropriate, contribute to its definition, in which:

[0025] [Fig 1] is a perspective view of a defrosting system according to the invention;

[0026] [Fig 2] is a perspective view of a blade on which the de-icing system according to the invention is applied;

[0027] [Fig 3] is a sectional view of a main surface of the defrosting system according to the invention; and

[0028] [Fig 4] is a sectional view of a protective surface of the defrosting system according to the invention.

[0029] Detailed description

[0030] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a defrosting system 1 according to the invention and illustrates the defrosting system 1 which comprises a main surface 2 and a protective surface 3, advantageously folded relative to the main surface 2.

[0031] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a part 4, in particular an aircraft part 4, such as a blade of a turbomachine of an aircraft, on which the de-icing system 1 according to the invention is applied and illustrates the part 4, for example a blade 4 of a turbomachine of an aircraft, capable of being assembled to the turbomachine by fixing means 6.

[0032] Subsequently, throughout the present application, as an example of embodiment, the part 4 is a blade 4 without this being limited to this single application. Reference will therefore be made to the blade 4 to indistinctly designate a blade, a vane or any other device intended to transform motive energy into acceleration of a fluid in which it moves.

[0033] The blade 4 comprises in particular a first face 5, capable of being frosted, and a second face, opposite the first face 5.

[0034] The main surface 2 of the de-icing system 1 is intended to cover the first face 5 of the blade 4 to de-ice it.

[0035] The protective surface 3 is intended to at least partially cover the second face of the blade 4. In particular, the protective surface 3 extends, for example, over an area of ​​between 10% and 50% of the area of ​​the second face of the blade 4.

[0036] The main surface 2 and the protective surface 3 are formed by the same part. They can advantageously be in material continuity with each other.

[0037] Thus, the de-icing system 1 is formed from a single piece, which avoids having a junction and therefore a zone of discontinuity, in particular aeraulic, at the level of the leading edge 7 of the blade 4 located between the first face 5 and the second face of the blade 4.

[0038] Such an arrangement also makes it possible to simplify the final installation of the de-icing system 1 on the blade 4 by having only a single assembly step, in particular by gluing, of the de-icing system 1 on the blade 4, unlike the de-icing systems of the prior art which require gluing of the main surface and additional gluing of the attached anti-abrasion device.

[0039] Furthermore, the material continuity of the main surface 2 and the protective surface 3 makes it possible to have only one part to manufacture for the production of the defrosting system 1. It is thus possible to manufacture the defrosting system 1 according to the invention less expensively.

[0040] Preferably, the main surface 2 has a sufficient dimension to be able to cover at least partially, in particular over more than half of the surface of the first face 5, typically completely the first face 5. Such an arrangement makes it possible to cover all or part of the first surface 5 with the defrosting system 1 and therefore to increase the speed and efficiency of the defrosting.

[0041] The protective surface 3 may further comprise an anti-abrasion material suitable for protecting the blade 4 against, in particular, bad weather, temperature conditions and abrasions likely to be encountered by the blade 4 in an external environment when it is in operation once mounted on the aircraft turbomachine.

[0042] Thus, the de-icing system 1 combines in a single tool a de-icing function for a blade 4 and an anti-abrasion protection function for the blade 4.

[0043] Advantageously, the protective surface 3 comprises an elastomer material, a material which is particularly effective for protection against, in particular, bad weather, temperature conditions and abrasions likely to be encountered by the blade 4 in the external environment when it is in operation once mounted on the aircraft turbomachine.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the elastomer comprises polyurethane, a material particularly suitable in the context where the blade4 comprises metal shielding.

[0045] Figure 3 is a sectional view of a main surface 2 of the defrosting system 1 according to the invention. More particularly, Figure 3 shows the different successive layers making up the main surface 2.

[0046] The main surface 2 is intended to be positioned against a section 8 of the blade 4 which is a thickness to be de-iced at the level of the main surface 2.

[0047] In particular, the main surface 2 comprises at least one outer layer 9, in particular a first outer layer 9. Advantageously, the main surface 2 comprises two outer layers 9, 14, in particular a first outer layer 9 and a second outer layer 14.

[0048] More specifically, the first outer layer 9 is intended to be in contact with the first face 5 of the blade 4. In addition, the first outer layer 9 may have an electrical barrier and / or thermal barrier function between the blade 4 and thermal de-icing means of the de-icing system 1 adapted to be able to heat the main surface 2 to de-ice the first face 5. Thus, the first outer layer 9 makes it possible to avoid an excessively high contact temperature with the first face 5 of the blade 4.

[0049] Furthermore, the second outer layer 14 is intended to be in contact with the external environment. For this purpose, the second outer layer 14 is also resistant to the external environment. It is thermally conductive and does not necessarily have electrically insulating properties.

[0050] The second outer layer 14 may be made of an elastomer or a polymer resistant to the external environment, in particular to bad weather, temperature conditions and abrasions likely to be encountered by the blade 4 in the external environment when it is in operation once mounted on the aircraft turbomachine.

[0051] In particular, the second outer layer 14 resists erosion under the conditions defined by the Sand & Dust RTCA-DO-160 standard and contributes to impact protection.

[0052] The second outer layer 14 may have a thickness of less than 1.5 millimeters, preferably between 0.2 and 0.5 millimeters, typically of the order of 0.2 millimeters.

[0053] The thermal defrosting means of the defrosting system 1 are, for example, integrated into the main surface 2, between the first outer layer 9 and the second outer layer 14.

[0054] In particular, the defrosting means of the defrosting system 1 are thermoelectric means, adapted to be able to heat in a controlled manner according to an electric current.

[0055] More specifically, the defrosting means of the defrosting system 1 are composed of a stack of various layers, as shown in Figure 3.

[0056] In particular, the defrosting means of the defrosting system 1 may optionally comprise a first insulating layer 10, a heating layer 11, and / or a second insulating layer 12, and / or optionally, a reinforcing layer 13.

[0057] The first insulating layer 10 is arranged between the first outer layer 9, intended to be in contact with the first face 5 of the blade 4 and the heating layer 11.

[0058] The first insulating layer 10 acts as an electrical barrier and / or a thermal barrier between the blade 4 and the thermal defrosting means of the defrosting system 1 adapted to be able to heat the main surface 2 to defrost the first face 5. Thus, the first insulating layer 10 makes it possible to avoid excessively high contact temperature with the first face 5 of the blade 4.

[0059] In the event that the first outer layer 9 already provides an electrical barrier and / or thermal barrier function between the blade 4 and the thermal defrosting means of the defrosting system 1, the first insulating layer 10 can be omitted.

[0060] The heating layer 11 is arranged between the first outer layer 9, intended to be in contact with the first face 5 of the blade 4 or the first insulating layer 10 and the second insulating layer 12.

[0061] According to a particular embodiment, the heating layer 11 is made up of resistive elements for heating by the Joule effect. In particular, the heating layer 11 incorporates a mesh of metal tracks intended to be traversed by a current to generate heat by the Joule effect.

[0062] The second insulating layer 12 is arranged between the heating layer 11 and the reinforcing layer 13 or the second outer layer 14.

[0063] The second insulating layer 12 has both electrical insulating properties and thermal conductor properties. It helps to direct the heat flow and diffuse the latter towards the outside.

[0064] The reinforcing layer 13 aims to protect the defrosting means of the defrosting system 1 from the external environment and in particular, it ensures the protection of the heating layer 11. The reinforcing layer 13 is further made of a material allowing the circulation of the heat generated by the heating layer 11, towards the external environment and the second external layer 14.

[0065] If the second outer layer 14 already provides a reinforcing function, the reinforcing layer 13 can be omitted.

[0066] Figure 4 is a sectional view of the protective surface 3 of the defrosting system 1 according to the invention. More particularly, Figure 4 shows the different successive layers making up the protective surface 3.

[0067] As shown in Figure 4, the protective surface 3 is constituted by the first outer layer 9 and the second outer layer 14 of the main surface 2.

[0068] The main surface 2 may have a thickness of between 1 millimeter and 2.5 millimeters, in particular between 1.4 millimeters and 2.5 millimeters.

[0069] As can be seen in Figure 4, the protective surface 3 therefore does not integrate the defrosting means of the defrosting system 1. Such a configuration allows the protective surface 3 to have a thinner thickness than the main surface 2.

[0070] The protective surface 3 may have a thickness of between 0.5 millimeters and 1.5 millimeters, in particular between 0.7 millimeters and 1.5 millimeters, in particular between 0.7 millimeters and 1 millimeter.

[0071] The first outer layer 9, respectively the second outer layer 14, is intended to be in contact with the section 8 of the blade 4 to be protected. Thus, the first outer layer 9, respectively the second outer layer 14 may have a composition comprising an elastomer, such as polyurethane.

[0072] According to an alternative embodiment, the protective surface 3 may be composed only of elastomer.

[0073] A defrosting system 1 is thus produced for a part 4 which can be thermoelectric and made of elastomer, having a surface area larger than the surface to be heated for defrosting, eliminating the need for a step of installing an additional protective surface. In addition, the defrosting system 1 according to the invention allows the elimination of local discontinuities at the level of the junction zones.

[0074] In the detailed presentation of the invention given above, the terms used should not be interpreted as limiting the invention to the embodiment set forth in the description just given, but should be interpreted to include all equivalents the prediction of which is within the reach of those skilled in the art by applying their general knowledge to the implementation of the teaching just disclosed to them. Obviously, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and provided solely by way of example. It encompasses various modifications, alternative forms and other variations that may be envisaged by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Defrosting system (1) for a part (4), in particular a blade (4), comprising - a main surface (2), intended to cover a first face (5) of the part (4), capable of defrosting the first face (5), and - a protective surface (3), in particular folded relative to the main surface (2), intended to cover a second face of the part (4), in particular opposite the first face (5), characterized in that the main surface (2) and the protective surface (3) are formed by the same part and in material continuity with one another.

2. Defrosting system (1) according to claim 1, in which the main surface (2) has a sufficient dimension to be able to cover at least partially, in particular over more than half, typically completely the first face (5).

3. Defrosting system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the protective surface (3) comprises an anti-abrasion material suitable for protecting the part (4).

4. Defrosting system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the protective surface (3) comprises an elastomeric material.

5. Defrosting system (1) according to claim 4, in which the elastomer comprises polyurethane.

6. Defrosting system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main surface (2) has a thickness of between 1 millimeter and 2.5 millimeters, in particular of between 1.4 millimeters and 2.5 millimeters.

7. Defrosting system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the protective surface (3) has a thickness of between 0.5 millimeters and 1.5 millimeters, in particular between 0.7 millimeters and 1.5 millimeters, in particular between 0.7 millimeters and 1 millimeter.

8. Defrosting system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the protective surface (3) extends over an area of ​​between 10% and 50% of the area of ​​the second face.

9. Defrosting system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising defrosting means, in particular thermal defrosting means, adapted to be able to heat the main surface (2) to defrost the first face (5).

10. Defrosting system (1) according to claim 9, wherein the defrosting means are thermoelectric means

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