Reinforcing gluing support and method of reinforcing gluing using such a gluing support

Abstract

Gluing support (10) comprising a base (12) supporting a receiving portion (14) in which the receiving portion (14) is configured to receive all or part of a reinforcement (50). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 3.

Description

Title of the invention: Reinforcing gluing support and method for gluing reinforcement using such a gluing support Technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a support for bonding a reinforcement, in particular a leading edge reinforcement of a blade, in particular a turbomachine blade, and a method for bonding a reinforcement using such a bonding support.

[0002] In the present disclosure, the term "turbomachine" designates all gas turbine devices producing motive power, among which we distinguish, in particular, turbojets providing thrust necessary for propulsion by reaction to the high-speed ejection of hot gases, and turboshaft engines in which the motive power is provided by the rotation of a drive shaft. For example, turboshaft engines are used as engines for helicopters, ships, trains, or even as industrial engines. Turboprops, a turboshaft engine driving a propeller, are also turboshaft engines used as aircraft engines.

[0003] The blade may be a fixed blade or a moving blade and may, for example, be a fan blade, without this being limiting in terms of application. Prior art

[0004] During a blade manufacturing step, gluing a leading edge reinforcement to assemble it with an aerodynamic profile of a blade is a delicate step. Indeed, a homogeneous and stable application of a layer of glue is not always easy while there is a risk of deforming the leading edge reinforcement during such an application. Furthermore, it is often difficult to handle the glued leading edge reinforcement, or during gluing, without soiling the glued parts, for example with dust or the like, or the non-glued parts with glue. There is therefore a need in this regard. Statement of the invention

[0005] One embodiment relates to a support for bonding a reinforcement, in particular a reinforcement of a leading edge, in particular a reinforcement of a leading edge of a blade, comprising a base supporting a receiving portion, in which the receiving portion is configured to receive all or part of a reinforcement.

[0006] The reinforcement may, for example, comprise a sheet or be made of a sheet, in particular a metal sheet, in particular titanium, configured to fit by complementary shape the leading edge of an aerodynamic profile of the blade. The sheet constituting the reinforcement may, for example, have a thickness of between 0.2 mm and 5 mm.

[0007] Such a reinforcement is a part with complex geometry, which may have a generally “V”-shaped profile, i.e. a profile having a generally “V”-shaped cross-section, and has a shape that evolves along a main axis. Such a reinforcement is unstable when placed directly on a workspace such as a workbench, and may deform under its own weight. It is understood that the main axis of the reinforcement corresponds in particular to a direction in which the leading edge of the blade extends, between a root of the blade and a head of the blade, and that an edge corresponding to a lower tip of the “V” is not necessarily rectilinear.

[0008] The aerodynamic profile with which the reinforcement must be or is assembled, may be an intermediate manufacturing part, which may be, for example, a preform, an impregnated preform, a stack of 2D pre-impregnated plies, etc.

[0009] The base is configured to cooperate with a workspace separate from the gluing support. For example, the workspace may be a workbench, but any other workspace is conceivable. The base may be configured to cooperate with a workbench by simply being placed on the work surface of the workbench. When the base cooperates with a workspace, in accordance with the intended configuration of the base, the gluing support is in a normal position of use.

[0010] The receiving portion is configured to receive all or part of a reinforcement and hold the reinforcement in position. For this purpose, the receiving portion may be configured to cooperate with an external surface of the reinforcement, for example with all or part of an external surface of the general “V” shape of the reinforcement. Thus, despite the complex shape of the reinforcement, the latter is held in position so as to be able to glue a part of the reinforcement, for example an internal surface of the reinforcement, for example inside the general “V” shape, without having to manipulate the reinforcement to be able to access the area(s) to be glued.

[0011] In some embodiments, the receiving portion comprises a single continuous cooperating surface, the cooperating surface being configured to cooperate with the reinforcement. The cooperating surface may be configured to cooperate with the reinforcement over an entire length of the reinforcement along the main axis. This helps ensure that the reinforcement is held in position, which facilitates the application of the homogeneous and stable layer of adhesive, and reduces the risk of deforming the reinforcement during this application, as well as the risks of soiling.

[0012] In certain embodiments, the receiving portion is capable of extending along a longitudinal axis corresponding to a main axis of the reinforcement, the gluing support being configured so that the longitudinal axis extends substantially perpendicular to the direction of gravity in the normal position of use.

[0013] It is understood that when the reinforcement is arranged within the receiving portion, the longitudinal axis of the gluing support and the main axis of the reinforcement are parallel, or even confused, the main axis of the reinforcement corresponds to the direction in which the leading edge of the blade extends, between the root of the blade and the head of the blade.

[0014] By "direction of gravity" we mean the direction (or axis) of Newtonian gravitational acceleration created by the Earth.

[0015] By “substantially perpendicular” is meant “perpendicular plus or minus twenty-five degrees of angle (25°)”.

[0016] Such a configuration makes it possible to arrange and maintain the reinforcement so that the main axis extends substantially horizontally, that is to say horizontally plus or minus twenty-five degrees of angle (25°).

[0017] In some embodiments, the receiving portion may have a concavity configured to receive all or part of the reinforcement, the concavity being oriented upwards in the normal position of use, the top and the bottom being defined by the orientation (or direction) of gravity, the gravity being oriented from the top to the bottom. In other words, it is understood that the concavity opens upwards.

[0018] In certain embodiments, the receiving portion may be configured to cooperate by shape complementarity with the reinforcement. In other words, the receiving portion has a shape configured to match the shape of the reinforcement, for example to match all or part of the external surface of the reinforcement, in particular the general “V” shape of the reinforcement. For example, the receiving portion generally has a generally “V” profile, that is to say a transverse section of general “V” shape, and has a shape evolving along the main axis complementary to that of the reinforcement.

[0019] In some embodiments, the receiving portion may be configured so that the reinforcement is fully received within the receiving portion, such that free edges of the receiving portion extend beyond the free edges of the reinforcement. For example, the edges of the receiving portion extend from 5 mm to 30 mm beyond the edges of the reinforcement, with the spacing between the edges being measured according to the shortest distance between the edges in question.

[0020] In some embodiments, the gluing support may also comprise at least one removable part, forming at least a part of the receiving portion. For example, the receiving portion is capable of extending along a longitudinal axis corresponding to the main axis of the reinforcement. The removable part and the gluing support each comprise a half-shell, each half-shell extending along the longitudinal axis, the two half-shells being assembled together or removed from each other around the longitudinal axis, the two half-shells together forming the receiving portion.

[0021] The removable part allows, by removing it from the gluing support, to facilitate the insertion / extraction of the reinforcement within the receiving portion. This makes it possible to avoid to deform the gluing support during insertion / extraction of the receiving portion.

[0022] In some embodiments, the base has at least two feet and at least one reinforcing web extending between the two feet. For example, the base has only two feet and a single reinforcing web extending between the two feet. The web may also cooperate with the receiving portion, without this being imperative.

[0023] Such a configuration makes it possible to ensure a certain stability and rigidity of the gluing support.

[0024] In certain embodiments, the receiving portion is also capable of forming a shape control template for the reinforcement. Such a receiving portion makes it possible to ensure very precise mechanical contact with the reinforcement, which makes it possible on the one hand to check that the reinforcement falls within the required dimensional manufacturing tolerances before and / or after gluing and to remove reinforcements which are not compliant before gluing them and / or assembling them with the aerodynamic profile of the blade.

[0025] In some embodiments, the blade leading edge reinforcement bonding support has a honeycomb internal structure. Such a configuration also makes it possible to optimize the quantity of material required for manufacturing the bonding support.

[0026] In particular, the bonding support can be manufactured by additive manufacturing, for example by additive manufacturing by filament deposition or FDM for “Fused Deposition Modeling” in English.

[0027] A bonding support manufactured by additive manufacturing makes it possible to obtain a receiving portion which can closely match the most complex reinforcement shapes.

[0028] Such arrangements of the gluing support make it possible to ensure a certain rigidity and / or a very firm hold in position of the gluing support, which helps to ensure good hold in position of the reinforcement, which facilitates the application of the homogeneous and stable layer of glue and reduces the risk of deforming the reinforcement during this application, as well as the risks of soiling.

[0029] One embodiment relates to an assembly comprising a bonding support according to any one of the embodiments described in the present disclosure, and at least one reinforcement.

[0030] One embodiment relates to a method of gluing a reinforcement, in which a gluing support is provided according to any one of the embodiments described in the present disclosure, a reinforcement is placed within the receiving portion, and all or part of an internal surface of the reinforcement is glued.

[0031] By "internal surface" is meant any portion of the reinforcement which cooperates with the aerodynamic profile when these two parts are assembled. For example, the internal surface may comprise a concave surface configured to conform to, at least to contact, the aerodynamic profile.

[0032] In certain embodiments, all or part of an internal surface of the reinforcement is glued using a sheet of glue.

[0033] It is understood that the adhesive sheet is a solid and flexible film which is deposited on a portion of the reinforcement to be glued. For example, the adhesive sheet initially has protective films on each of its faces. This makes it possible to remove a single protective film, and to glue the reinforcement with the adhesive sheet via the face thus exposed while retaining the other protective film on the opposite face of the sheet which is intended to fit the leading edge of the blade.

[0034] This facilitates the application of a homogeneous and stable layer of glue and reduces the risk of deforming the reinforcement during this application, as well as the risks of soiling.

[0035] As a result, it is possible to cut off any excess sheet extending beyond the edges of the reinforcement before or after assembling the reinforcement with the aerodynamic profile of the blade. For example, the receiving portion may be configured so that the reinforcement is fully received within the receiving portion, such that the edges of the receiving portion extend beyond the edges of the reinforcement. In such a configuration, it is possible, for example, to cut off the excess sheet of glue extending beyond the edges of the reinforcement before assembling the reinforcement with the aerodynamic profile of the blade, using the edges of the receiving portion as a guide for the cutting tool. This avoids any inadvertent alteration of the reinforcement during the sheet cutting operation.

[0036] In certain embodiments, the receiving portion of the gluing support forms a shape control template for the reinforcement. Thus, it is possible to carry out a control of a shape of the reinforcement within the template formed by the receiving portion before gluing all or part of an internal portion of the blade leading edge reinforcement.

[0037] Checking with the template makes it possible to quickly verify whether the reinforcement falls within the required dimensional manufacturing tolerances and to discard any reinforcement that is not compliant before gluing. Brief description of the drawings

[0038] The object of the present disclosure and its advantages will be better understood upon reading the detailed description given below of different embodiments given as non-limiting examples. This description refers to the pages of figures annexed, on which: • [Fig.l] [Fig.l] represents a support for bonding a two-part blade leading edge reinforcement, and a blade leading edge reinforcement; • [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents the support of [Fig.l] in which the reinforcement of leading edge is being introduced into a receiving portion; • [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents the support of [Fig.l] in which the reinforcement of leading edge is received within the receiving portion; • [Fig.4] [Fig.4] represents a phase of gluing the edge reinforcement attack using a sheet of glue; • [Fig.5] [Fig.5] represents a phase of cutting a surplus of the sheet of glue; and • [Fig.6] [Fig.6] represents an assembly phase of the edge reinforcement glued attack with an aerodynamic blade profile. Description of the embodiments

[0039] [Fig.l] represents a reinforcement 50, in particular a reinforcement 50 of a leading edge of a blade, and a bonding support 10 of the reinforcement 50. In the example presented, the bonding support 10 comprises a first part 10A and a second part 10B.

[0040] In this example, the reinforcement 50 may consist of a titanium sheet, in particular having a thickness of 1 mm.

[0041] The reinforcement 50 is notably configured to fit, by complementarity of shape, a leading edge BA of an aerodynamic profile 80 of a blade 100, as shown in [Fig.6].

[0042] In this example, the reinforcement 50 has a generally “V”-shaped profile, or a generally “V”-shaped profile, and has a shape that evolves along a main axis AP.

[0043] Generally, the aerodynamic profile 80 of the blade 100 shown in [Fig. 6] has a trailing edge BF, a lower surface INT and an upper surface EXT. The blade 100 also has a blade head TA and a blade root PA. Furthermore, the blade 100 extends in a direction of extent AE, also called axis of extent AE, between the blade head TA and the blade root PA. For example, the blade root PA may have a “fir tree” shape, but any other shape may be possible.

[0044] In the embodiment example presented, when the reinforcement 50 is assembled with the aerodynamic profile 80, the main axis AP of the reinforcement 50 is parallel to the axis of extent AE of the aerodynamic profile 80, therefore of the blade 100 or of the leading edge BA. It is understood that the axis of extent AE of the blade 100 corresponds to a radial direction of a bladed wheel not shown, fixed or mobile, on which the blade 100 is mounted. The blade 100 can, for example, be a fan blade, also called a fan blade, but that any other type of blade, fixed or mobile, can be envi- wise.

[0045] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the gluing support 10 comprises a base 12 supporting a receiving portion 14, configured to receive all or part of the reinforcement 50.

[0046] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5, the gluing support 10 has at least at least only a first part 10A and a second part 10B, for example only a first part 10A and a second part 10B. More specifically, the first part 10A constitutes a fixed part and the second part 10B constitutes a removable part, relative to the fixed part 10A. Furthermore, the second part 10B as a removable part forms a part of the receiving portion 14 of the gluing support 10.

[0047] In other words, the first part 10A forms a first sub-part 14A of the receiving portion 14 and the second part 10B forms a second sub-part 14B of the receiving portion 14, the receiving portion 14 comprising, in this example, only the first sub-part 14A and the second sub-part 14B.

[0048] However, the invention also relates to the gluing support 10 having a fixed part and several removable parts comprising several sub-parts of the receiving portion 14.

[0049] The base 12 has at least a first foot 12A and a second foot 12B, for example only a first foot 12A and a second foot 12B, and at least one reinforcing web 12C, for example a single reinforcing web 12C extending between the first foot 12A and the second foot 12B.

[0050] According to the exemplary embodiment presented, the base 12, more specifically the first foot 12A and the second foot 12B, and to a lesser extent the web 12C, is configured to be placed, for example in a stable manner, on a work space, such as a work surface of a workbench not shown.

[0051] A position of the gluing support 10 shown in Figures 1 to 5, in particular with respect to gravity G, corresponds to a normal position of use of the gluing support 10. Thus, in the normal position of use, the base 12 is arranged at the bottom with respect to the receiving portion 14, and conversely, the receiving portion 14 is arranged at the top with respect to the base 12, the top H and the bottom B being defined by a vertical direction according to the orientation (or the direction) of gravity G, gravity G being oriented from the top H towards the bottom B.

[0052] In addition, the gluing support 10 extends along a longitudinal axis AL. Thus, in particular, the first foot 12A and the second foot 12B are respectively arranged at the opposite ends along the longitudinal axis AL of the gluing support 10. The web 12C extends along the longitudinal axis AL, in particular between the first foot 12A and the second foot 12B.

[0053] Furthermore, the receiving portion 14 extends along the longitudinal axis AL. For example, the longitudinal axis AL corresponds to the main axis AP of the reinforcement 50.

[0054] For example, the gluing support 10 is configured so that the longitudinal axis AL extends substantially perpendicular to the orientation of gravity G in the normal position of use.

[0055] In addition, according to the exemplary embodiment, the receiving portion 14 has a concavity CO configured to receive all or part of the reinforcement 50. The concavity CO is thus oriented upwards H in the normal position of use.

[0056] The receiving portion 14 is configured to cooperate by shape complementarity with the reinforcement 50. For example, a surface S1 of the receiving portion 14 and an external surface S2 of the reinforcement 50, described below, are complementary to each other and are configured to fit each other. In such an arrangement, the receiving portion 14 is capable of forming a shape control template for the reinforcement 50. For example, the surface S1 may have marks or graduations for visual control of the reinforcement 50 when it is received within the receiving portion 14.

[0057] For this purpose, the receiving portion 14 may be of larger dimensions, i.e. wider and / or higher, than the reinforcement 50. Thus configured, graduations of deviation from a theoretical placement of the reinforcement 50 in the receiving portion 14 could illustrate, in particular, insufficient insertion of the reinforcement 50 into the receiving portion 14.

[0058] The deviation graduations could be arranged, for example with a step of 0.5 mm, to note a possible deviation with an acceptable installation of the reinforcement 50 when the reinforcement 50 is pushed in sufficiently so that edges of the reinforcement 50 are located between a nominal value, defining the optimal installation of the reinforcement 50 and a first graduation, defining an acceptable installation tolerance of the reinforcement 50.

[0059] In this example, the receiving portion 14 has a general “V” shape complementary to the general “V” shape of the reinforcement 50. The first part 14A of the receiving portion 14 of the gluing support 10 may have, in this example, a lower point 13 of the “V” of the general “V” shape of the receiving portion 14.

[0060] In this example, the first sub-part 14A of the receiving portion 14 forms a first half-shell, extending along the longitudinal axis AL, and the second sub-part 14B forms a second half-shell, extending along the longitudinal axis AL. The first half-shell and the second half-shell assemble together or are removed from each other around the longitudinal axis AL, the first half-shell and the second half-shell together forming the receiving portion 14.

[0061] In this example, the reinforcing veil 12C essentially forms with the first subpart 14A, for example at the lower tip 13 of the “V” of the general “V” shape of the receiving portion 14.

[0062] In this example, the first part 10A and the second part 10B may comprise complementary assembly means, such as, according to the example presented, pads 16A and blind holes 16B configured to fit into each other.

[0063] When the first part 10A and the second part 10B are assembled with each other, the receiving portion 14 has a single continuous surface SI, as illustrated in [Fig. 3], capable of allowing cooperation between the receiving portion 14 and the reinforcement 50, the surface SI being configured to cooperate with the reinforcement 50 with the external surface S2 of the reinforcement 50. The first sub-part 14A of the receiving portion 14 has a first portion SI 1 of the surface SI and the second sub-part 14B has a second portion S12 of the surface SL

[0064] In this example, the surface SI is configured to cooperate with the reinforcement 50 over an entire length L of the reinforcement 50 along the main axis AP.

[0065] In this example, as can be seen in [Fig. 3], the receiving portion 14, the surface SI, is configured so that the reinforcement 50 is fully received within the receiving portion 14, such that free edges 141, 142, 143 and 144 of the receiving portion 14 extend beyond the free edges 501, 502, 503 and 504 of the reinforcement 50, the free edge 504 of the reinforcement 50 being masked in [Fig. 3].

[0066] By way of example, the free edges 141, 142, 143 and 144 of the receiving portion 14 extend over a dimension of between 0 mm and 5 mm, in particular to allow the integration of graduations, beyond the free edges 501, 502, 503 and 504 of the reinforcement 50, a spacing between the free edges 141, 142, 143 and 144 of the receiving portion 14 and the free edges 501, 502, 503 and 504 of the reinforcement 50 being measured according to the shortest distance between them.

[0067] In this example, as can be seen in the partial cutaway of [Fig. 1], the gluing support 10 has an internal SIA alveolar structure. The gluing support 10 can, for example, be manufactured by additive manufacturing, in particular by deposition of filaments, in particular made of acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA).

[0068] A method of gluing the reinforcement 50 using the gluing support 10 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0069] In [Fig.l], the removable part 10B is not assembled with the first part 10A of the gluing support 10, a fixed part. The reinforcement 50 is approaching to be arranged within the first sub-part 14A of the receiving portion 14.

[0070] [Fig. 2] represents a state where the reinforcement 50 is arranged within the first sub-part 14A of the receiving portion 14. Consequently, the second part 10B of the gluing support 10, removable part, is assembled with the first fixed part 10A of the gluing support 10, as shown in [Fig. 3].

[0071] The second sub-part 14B completes the first sub-part 14A so that the receiving portion 14 is complete, the reinforcement 50 being arranged within the receiving portion 14.

[0072] In this example, the reinforcement 50 is entirely received within the receiving portion 14, and the surface S1 of the receiving portion 14 cooperates with the external surface S2, in particular in the general shape of a “V”, of the reinforcement 50.

[0073] At this stage, the receiving portion 14, constituting in particular a shape control template for the reinforcement 50, it is possible to carry out a shape control of the reinforcement 50 within the shape control template for the reinforcement 50 before gluing an internal portion of the reinforcement 50. For example, it is checked that the external surface S2 of the reinforcement 50 matches the surface SI of the receiving portion 14.

[0074] Then, after having possibly confirmed that the reinforcement 50 is indeed in conformity with the requirement criteria of the shape control template of the reinforcement 50, an internal surface S3 of the reinforcement 50 is glued, corresponding in particular to an internal surface of the general “V” shape of the reinforcement 50.

[0075] In this example, as can be seen in [Fig.4], the internal surface S3 of the reinforcement 50 is glued using a sheet of glue 60. The sheet of glue 60 can extend beyond the free edges 501, 502, 503 and 504 of the reinforcement 50 and the free edges 141, 142, 143 and 144 of the receiving portion 14, creating possible surplus portions 60A of the sheet of glue 60.

[0076] The concavity CO of the receiving portion 14 being oriented upwards H, any surplus portions 60A of the glue sheet 60 can flex by gravity towards the outside of the concavity CO so that any possible folding and sticking of the glue sheet 60 on itself is avoided.

[0077] Subsequently, as shown in [Fig. 5], the excess portions 60A of the glue sheet 60 which extend beyond the free edges 501, 502, 503 and 504 of the reinforcement 50 are cut, in particular using the free edges 141, 142, 143 and 144 of the receiving portion 14 as a guide for a cutting tool 90, for example a cutter.

[0078] Finally, as shown in [Fig.6], the reinforcement 50 glued with the sheet 60 can be assembled on the leading edge BA of the aerodynamic profile 80 of the blade 100. Other steps of finalizing the manufacture of the blade 100 can then be carried out, without this necessarily being imperative.

[0079] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it is obvious that modifications and changes may be made to these examples without departing from the general scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In particular, individual features of the various illustrated / mentioned embodiments may be combined in additional embodiments. Therefore, the description and drawings should be considered in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.

[0080] It is also obvious that all the characteristics described with reference to a method are transposable, alone or in combination, to a device, and conversely, all the characteristics described with reference to a device are transposable, alone or in combination, to a method.

Claims

Claims

1. Gluing support (10), comprising a base (12) supporting a receiving portion (14), characterized in that the receiving portion (14) is configured to receive all or part of a reinforcement (50), in particular a reinforcement (50) of a leading edge (BA), in particular a leading edge (BA) of a blade (100), in which the receiving portion (14) forms a shape control template for the reinforcement (50).

2. Gluing support (10) according to claim 1, wherein the receiving portion (14) extends along a longitudinal axis (AL) corresponding to a main axis (AP) of the reinforcement (50), in particular the gluing support (10) being configured so that the longitudinal axis (AL) extends substantially perpendicular to the direction of gravity (G) in the normal position of use.

3. Gluing support (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the receiving portion (14) has a concavity (CO) configured to receive all or part of the reinforcement (50), the concavity (CO) being oriented upwards (H) in the normal position of use.

4. Gluing support (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the receiving portion (14) is configured to cooperate by form complementarity with the reinforcement (50).

5. Gluing support (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving portion (14) comprises at least one removable part (10B), forming at least one sub-part (14B) of the receiving portion (14).

6. Gluing support (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the base (12) comprises at least a first foot (12A) and a second foot (12B) and in which at least one reinforcing web (12C) extends between the first foot (12A) and the second foot (12B).

7. Method for gluing a reinforcement (50), characterized in that it comprises steps during which: • a gluing support (10) is provided according to any one of the preceding claims, • the reinforcement (50) is placed within a receiving portion (14) of the gluing support (10), • all or part of an internal surface (S3) of the reinforcement is glued (50), and • in which a shape control of the reinforcement (50) is carried out within a shape control template, constituted by the receiving portion (14), before gluing all or part of the internal surface (S3) of the reinforcement (50).

8. A gluing method according to claim 7, wherein the inner surface (S3) of the reinforcement (50) is glued using a glue sheet (60).

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