TOOL FOR BONDING A PANEL TO A CASING
The tool with an expandable annular element and RFID sensors addresses the inefficiencies of existing bonding methods by ensuring precise control of bonding parameters, reducing waste, and enhancing manufacturing efficiency and quality.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023011292
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-10-19
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-10
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-10-19
AI Technical Summary
Existing methods for bonding panels to annular parts in aircraft turbomachines are time-consuming, costly, environmentally harmful due to single-use fabrics, and prone to manufacturing defects from poor control of key parameters like temperature and pressure, with wireless RFID tags being hindered by conductive materials forming Faraday cages.
A tool with an expandable annular element and integrated RFID sensors allows precise control of bonding parameters by inflating to secure the panel, using a single reading device to communicate with multiple sensors through a waveguide, eliminating the need for technical fabrics and reducing waste.
This method enhances manufacturing efficiency, reduces waste, and minimizes defects by ensuring accurate control of temperature and pressure, while simplifying the assembly process and reducing costs.
Smart Images

Figure 00000024_0000 
Figure 00000024_0001 
Figure 00000025_0000
Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: TOOL FOR BONDING A PANEL TO A CASING Technical field of the invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a tool for bonding a panel to an annular part, such as a casing, an assembly comprising at least this tool and a panel, and a method for manufacturing an annular part of an aircraft turbomachine comprising this assembly. Technological background
[0002] Generally speaking, a turbomachine 900, in particular an aircraft turbomachine, as illustrated in [Fig. 1A], comprises from upstream to downstream (i.e. in the direction of flow of the gas flows F), a fan 910, one or more compressors 902 i, 9022, a combustion chamber 904, one or more turbines 906b 9062 and an ejection nozzle 908 for the combustion gases leaving the turbine(s).
[0003] [Fig. 1B] schematically and partially illustrates a fan 910 of a turbomachine. The fan 910 comprises a bladed wheel 912 which is surrounded by a fan casing 600, also called a retention casing due to its function of retaining the blades in the event of their rupture, or in the event of debris entering the fan.
[0004] With reference to [Fig. 1C], a fan casing 600, and more generally a casing, typically comprises an annular casing 602, which may be, for example and in a non-limiting manner, made of metallic material or of a composite material from woven fibers embedded in a polymeric resin. Preferably, the annular casing is made of a composite material. This annular casing 602 has an axis of revolution A and extends around the fan blades 912 of the turbomachine. The casing 600 comprises an annular fixing flange 604i, 6042 at each of the axial ends of the annular casing 602. These flanges 604i, 6042 are used to fix the casing 600 to annular walls of a nacelle which surrounds the turbomachine to form an aircraft propulsion assembly.
[0005] The casing 600 may be connected by the flanges 604i, 6042 on the one hand to an air inlet sleeve 4a located upstream of the fan casing 600, and on the other hand, to an intermediate casing shroud 4b located downstream of the fan casing 600, as illustrated in [Fig.lD]. The fan casing 600 also comprises upstream acoustic panels 6 and downstream acoustic panels 8.
[0006] Still with reference to [Fig.lD], an abradable annular cartridge 700 may be positioned on an inner annular surface S6o2 of the casing 602 of the housing 600, between the upstream acoustic panels 6 and the downstream acoustic panels 8. This abradable cartridge 700 may comprise an annular layer 704 of abradable material and an annular panel or support 702 supporting the annular layer 704, the panel 702 being fixed to the casing 602. This annular abradable layer 704 is intended to wear in a controlled manner during operation. As for the panel 702, it may, for example, be solid or have a honeycomb structure.
[0007] In addition to the retention function, the housing 600 is further designed to: - ensure mechanical continuity (forces and moments) between the air inlet sleeve 4a and the intermediate casing shell 4b; - allow the fixing of the panels of the abradable annular cartridge 700, the upstream acoustic panels 6 and the downstream acoustic panels 8, thus ensuring continuity of the aerodynamic vein; - allow the attachment of equipment and supports known per se, in particular inside the nacelle; - meet regulatory specifications for fire and leaks; - allow continuity of electric current for lightning resistance, etc.
[0008] The casing 602 of the housing 600 and the annular cartridge 700 are separate parts which are manufactured separately and then assembled in an assembly step in which the panel 702 is first fixed to the annular casing 602 and then the abradable annular layer 704 is bonded to the panel 702.
[0009] It is known in the state of the art to assemble the annular casing 602 of the casing 600 and the panel 702 by gluing.
[0010] In operation, the axis of revolution A of the casing is generally horizontal. However, for assembly, the casing 600 is arranged on one of its flanges 604b 6042 so that its axis of revolution A is vertical. Then, one or more layers of glue are deposited either on a surface S702 of the panel 702 of the abradable annular cartridge 700, intended to come into contact with the internal annular surface S6o2 of the annular casing 602 of the casing, or on the internal surface S6o2 of the annular casing 602 of the casing. The panel is then arranged inside the casing 602 of the casing 600 and held at a predefined location using pins. So-called technical fabrics such as, for example, and in a non-limiting manner, delaminating, draining, tear-off fabrics, and a waterproof tarpaulin with seal are affixed to the assembly formed by the envelope 602 and the panel 702.
[0011] The assembly formed by the panel 702 and the annular envelope 602 is then placed in an autoclave for the polymerization of this glue. The abradable annular layer 704 is finally secured by gluing to the panel 702.
[0012] The internal surface S602 of the casing 602 is pierced after gluing the panel 702 of the abradable support cartridge 700. This drilling allows the fixing of the upstream 6 and downstream 8 acoustic panels.
[0013] This assembly method, described above and which requires the use of tools comprising at least technical fabrics and the pins, can have several drawbacks, including: - a significant implementation time due to the installation of technical fabrics; - a risk of leakage of the tarpaulin during the autoclave cooking cycle (poor application of the seal, presence of thermocouples, micro-perforation of the waterproof tarpaulin, etc.) which could generate non-conformities; - an environmental problem due to the high production of waste after each cooking cycle: the fabrics are single-use, which can lead to the production of several tons of waste per year; - a high production cost due to the use of a large number of technical fabrics.
[0014] The manufacture of the casing may also require the monitoring of key physical parameters such as the time taken for bonding, the temperature during polymerization of the glue, or the pressure exerted on the panel, etc. Indeed, poor control of these parameters can lead to manufacturing defects, for example, and in a non-limiting manner, a panel that is not properly bonded due to a lack of sufficient pressure.
[0015] It is known in the state of the art to monitor these physical parameters using measuring devices. These devices can be wired such as thermocouples or wireless such as RFID tags.
[0016] Wired measuring devices can, for example, make the implementation of the process of bonding the panel to the annular part complex (calibration time, installation, routing, interconnection with an acquisition center).
[0017] As for wireless measuring devices, such as RFID (Radio-identification) tags, they have the advantage of not having wires, which makes it possible to simplify their installation in the tooling and pose fewer integration problems.
[0018] [Fig. 1E] illustrates an example of an RFID tag 106. The tag 106 comprises at least one electronic circuit 302 comprising a sensor for measuring at least one physical parameter (temperature, electrical resistance, pressure, humidity, etc.) and an antenna 300, connected to the electronic circuit 302 to communicate with at least one reading device, for example an RFID reader, in order to transmit in the form of signal (radio waves) the measurement of the physical parameter. The electronic circuit 302 is for example an RFID type electronic chip.
[0019] The label further comprises a support 304 on which the electronic circuit 302 and the antenna 300 are arranged.
[0020] There are so-called active or passive RFID tags. An active RFID tag generally includes an on-board energy source, for example a cell or battery, enabling the tag to operate and data to be transmitted. Unlike the active tag, the passive RFID tag does not contain an on-board energy source. It relies on the wave emitted by a reading device to power its electronic circuit, modulate the signal and, by backscattering, transmit a signal to the reading device.
[0021] RFID tags are generally mounted securely to the part (glued, screwed, riveted, etc.). RFID tags are arranged so that their size is as small as possible.
[0022] RFID tags can be mounted on a metal support and have a specific antenna design, the metal having an impact on the design of the radio antenna. These tags are called metal tags or metal "tags". The antennas of metal tags have a selective bandwidth. The signals or waves emitted by these antennas are either in the band between 902 MHz and 930 MHz (US band), or in the band between 865 MHz and 868 MHz (EU band). Metal tags can also be wideband and emit signals readable by readers adapted to the US and EU bands. However, the reading devices must be positioned at a distance from the tags that is less than that required for metal tags having an antenna with a selective band (approximately 30%). Metal tags have a certain thickness (minimum 1 mm) between their antenna and the conductive support.
[0023] There are also non-metal type tags having broadband antennas. These tags are suitable for non-conductive media, for example cardboard, paper, wood, plastic, etc.
[0024] It is known in the prior art to use active or passive RFID tags placed on parts, for example of a turbomachine, for the identification of these parts.
[0025] Due to the absence of electrical wires, it is possible to use a very large number of wireless measuring devices, unlike wired measuring devices, the number of which, in use, can be limited by the number of inputs of the acquisition units capable of processing in real time the signals relating to the measurements of physical parameters transmitted by the wired measuring devices.
[0026] Controlling the key parameters of the bonding process, such as temperature or pressure, may require the insertion or arrangement of RFID-type tags at the interface or between two conductive materials. However, due to their conductive properties, these materials may form a Faraday cage which may significantly reduce or eliminate the communication capacity of the reading device of a UHF RFID antenna on the 830-930 MHz (mega Hertz) band to be able to communicate with the RFID sensors located at the interface or between the materials. In this situation, the key parameters of the bonding may not be optimally controlled, thus leading to manufacturing defects.
[0027] It may thus be desirable to provide a bonding tool which makes it possible to overcome at least some of the aforementioned problems and constraints. Summary of the invention
[0028] There is therefore proposed a tool for bonding at least one panel, the tool having an annular shape around an axis and comprising at least: - a first annular element which extends around the axis and which is expandable so that its radial dimension or thickness can be modified; and - a second annular element which extends around the axis and which comprises a front annular portion and a rear annular portion: • the front annular portion comprising an annular housing opening radially outwards and configured to receive at least the expandable element and said at least one panel, the expandable element being intended to be interposed radially between said second annular element and said at least one panel; • the rear annular portion being connected at its axial end opposite the front annular portion to an annular rim which extends radially outwards and which comprises an annular face oriented towards the side of the front annular portion and capable of coming to bear on an annular part intended to receive the panel; characterized in that the tooling further comprises: - at least one device for measuring at least one physical parameter relating to the bonding of the panel to the annular part, and arranged on the second annular element at the interface between the expandable annular element and the front annular portion of the second annular element, said device being capable of communicating with at least one reading device by emitting a signal representative of the measured physical parameter; and - at least one radially extending through opening which is formed in the front annular portion of the second annular element and which is configured to allow said communication between the measuring device and said at least one reading device.
[0029] By expandable element is meant an element which can increase in volume or which is inflatable. In particular, the expansion makes it possible to modify the radial dimension or thickness of the element and therefore to increase and / or decrease its internal diameter and / or its external diameter.
[0030] When bonding the panel to an internal surface of the annular part, preferably an annular casing for an aircraft turbomachine, the panel is arranged in the annular housing of the first portion of the second annular element with the expandable element deflated, so that the expandable element is interposed between the panel and the second annular element.
[0031] The glue is then deposited at a predefined location on the internal surface of the envelope of the annular part and / or on an external surface of the panel intended to be glued at the predefined location.
[0032] The assembly comprising the tooling and the panel is then inserted inside the annular part, the rear annular portion of the second element bearing on the annular part. The panel is interposed between the expandable element and the internal surface of the envelope of the annular part. The expandable element is then inflated, which will exert pressure or stress on the panel so as to fix it on the internal surface of the envelope of the annular part at the predefined location.
[0033] The reading device is positioned at the opening of the tool to collect values of physical parameters such as temperature and pressure measured by the measuring devices.
[0034] Thus, thanks to the invention, it is possible to easily control at each stage of the assembly of an annular part, for example a casing of an aircraft turbomachine, the key manufacturing parameters (time, temperature, pressure, etc.) via the use of a single reading device, comprising at least one antenna and communicating with several measuring devices located inside the assembly (formed at least by the tooling, the panel and the casing). The improvement in control makes it possible, for example, to apply the temperatures and pressures in accordance with predefined specifications and at the appropriate times in order to avoid manufacturing defects (for example a panel not adhering to the casing due to a lack of sufficient pressure, etc.).
[0035] Furthermore, the control of key parameters (temperature, pressure, etc.) is carried out while minimizing or avoiding signal losses relating to the key parameters.
[0036] The invention also makes it possible to easily assemble an annular part, for example a casing of an aircraft turbomachine, by improving the positioning of a panel at the predefined location of the internal surface of the envelope of the annular part thanks to the second annular element while ensuring that the panel is held under stress on the internal surface of the annular part using the expandable element. This makes it possible to avoid or reduce manufacturing defects linked to poor positioning of the panel and / or to degradation of the technical fabrics described above.
[0037] This makes it possible to avoid or reduce manufacturing defects linked to poor positioning of the panel and / or to degradation of the technical fabrics described above, but also to improve the control of physical parameters such as temperature and pressure exerted throughout the manufacturing process.
[0038] The invention also allows a saving in time. Indeed, it is no longer necessary to prepare technical fabrics as described above and to affix them to the assembly formed by the casing and the panel. There is therefore elimination of at least one step in the mounting or assembly of the casing and consequently, a saving in time.
[0039] The invention also makes it possible to reduce both the ecological footprint relating to the manufacture or assembly of annular parts such as casings and the cost of manufacturing the parts or casings. Indeed, the tooling can be used over several production cycles and it is no longer necessary to use single-use fabrics for bonding. Waste production is therefore enormously reduced or eliminated.
[0040] The invention may further comprise one or more of the following optional features, in any technically possible combination: - the measuring device comprises at least one sensor for measuring the at least one physical parameter and an antenna for communicating with the at least one reading device; - the opening is defined by at least a first and a second dimension measured in perpendicular directions, the first dimension being greater than the second dimension; - the first dimension is proportional to the wavelength of the emitted signal representative of the measured physical parameter and, defined by the relation [Math.l] where X is the wavelength of the emitted signal, c is the speed of light, f is the frequency of the emitted signal and n is an integer between 1 and 10; - the second dimension is between 1 and 5 mm; - the opening has a shape chosen from a slit or a cross; - the tooling comprises a plurality of measuring devices capable of communicating with said at least one reading device; - the tooling comprises a single opening through which the plurality of measuring devices communicates with said at least one reading device; - the second annular element of the tooling is made of metallic material and is capable of forming, with said panel and said annular part, a waveguide so as to achieve communication between the at least one measuring device and the at least one reading device; - the measuring device is an RFID sensor;
[0041] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a tool as described above and at least one panel arranged in the annular housing of the front annular portion.
[0042] The assembly may further comprise one or more of the following optional features, in any technically possible combination: - the assembly comprises an annular part intended to receive the panel, the tooling equipped with the panel being inserted into the annular part intended to receive the panel; - the assembly comprises an annular seal arranged between the tooling and the panel and / or between the tooling and the annular part; - the assembly includes a device for reading the signal relating to the physical parameter measured; - the reading device is an RFID reader comprising at least one antenna.
[0043] The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing an annular part, preferably a casing, the part comprising an annular envelope having an axis of revolution and comprising at least one internal surface intended to receive at least one panel.
[0044] The method comprises at least one step of bonding the panel to the internal surface by means of a tool according to the invention, the bonding step comprising at least: a. the deposition of an adhesive on an external surface of the annular panel intended to be bonded to the internal surface of the annular envelope and / or to said internal surface; b. insertion of the tool equipped with the annular panel into the part; c. the deposition of a joint between the tooling and the panel and / or the tooling and the part annular; d. the expansion of the expandable element; e. compression bonding of the annular panel to the inner surface of the part envelope; f. monitoring at least one physical parameter during at least one of steps d) and e).
[0045] The method may further comprise the following optional feature, in any technically possible combination: - when monitoring at least one physical parameter, the reading device is positioned at a distance of between 1cm and 150cm from the opening. Brief description of the figures
[0046] The invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which: - [Fig.1A] is a schematic representation of a simplified view of a turbomachine according to the prior art, - [Fig.lB] is a schematic representation of an axial and partial sectional view of a fan of an aircraft turbomachine, according to the prior art, - [Fig.lC] is a schematic representation of a perspective view of a fan casing, according to the prior art; - [Fig.lD] is a schematic representation of a partial axial sectional view of a fan casing, according to the prior art; - [Fig.1E] is a schematic representation of an RFID tag, according to the prior art; - [Fig.2A] is a schematic representation of a perspective view of a tool according to the invention; - [Fig.2B] is a schematic representation of a perspective view of a portion of the tooling of [Fig.2A]; - [Fig.3] is a schematic representation of an axial sectional view of a tool comprising different types of opening according to a variant of the invention; - [Fig.4A] is a schematic representation of an axial sectional view of an assembly comprising the tooling of [Fig.2A] equipped with a panel; - [Fig.4B] is a schematic representation of an axial sectional view of the assembly of [Fig.4A] inserted inside an annular part; - [Fig.4C] is a schematic representation of a perspective view of a portion of the assembly of [Fig.4B] comprising a reading device positioned at the opening of the tool; - [Fig.5] is a schematic representation of a perspective view of a portion of the assembly of [Fig.4C] including a seal; - [Fig.6] is a schematic representation of a method of bonding a panel to the internal surface of an annular part according to the invention; - [Fig.7] is a schematic representation of a method of inserting the assembly of [Fig.4A] into an annular part; - [Fig.8A] is a schematic representation of a perspective view of the positioning of the panel on the tooling according to the invention; - [Fig.8B] is a schematic representation of a perspective view of the whole of [Fig.4A] according to the invention; - [Fig.8C] is a schematic representation of a perspective view of the insertion of the assembly of [Fig.4A] inside the annular part; Detailed description of the invention
[0047] Although in the examples which will be described below, for illustrative purposes, the parts are annular parts which have an axis of revolution and comprise annular surfaces, those skilled in the art will understand that these examples are in no way limiting. The invention can be applied to the bonding of parts, of different shapes having or not having an axis of revolution, an annular or linear body, a flat or annular or curved, or complex surface.
[0048] By convention, in the description below, the term "axial" qualifies the orientation of structural elements extending in the direction of an axis. This axis corresponds substantially to an axis of rotation or revolution. The term "radial" qualifies an orientation of structural elements extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation or revolution. The terms "inner" and "outer", "front" and "rear", "inner" and "outer" are used with reference to a positioning relative to the axis of rotation or revolution. Thus, a structural element extending along the axis of rotation or revolution has an inner face facing the longitudinal axis and an outer surface, opposite its inner surface.Similarly, a portion of a structural element that extends radially toward the axis of rotation or revolution will be considered a front portion, and a portion of the same structural element that extends radially away from the axis of rotation or revolution will be considered a rear portion.
[0049] [Fig.2A] illustrates an example of tooling according to the invention.
[0050] The tooling 100 has an annular shape around a revolution axis Ao and comprises a first 104 and a second 102 annular element which extend around the axis Ao, the first annular element 104 enveloping a portion of the second annular element 102.
[0051] The first annular element 104 is expandable so that its radial dimension or thickness can be modified.
[0052] At least one device may also be provided in the tool 100 for actuating the expansion of the expandable annular element 104.
[0053] [Fig.2B] illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the tooling.
[0054] The second annular element 102 comprises two annular portions, respectively front 200i and rear 2002. The front and rear annular portions 200i, 2002 are arranged axially one after the other.
[0055] The front annular portion 200i comprises an annular housing 206 which opens radially inwards. The annular housing is configured to receive the expandable element 104.
[0056] The annular housing 102 may be configured to further receive at least one panel 702. In this configuration, the expandable element is interposed radially between the second annular element 102 and the panel 702. For example, and in a non-limiting manner, the panel is a support for a layer of abradable material 704.
[0057] The front annular portion 200i further comprises lower 202i and upper 2022 retaining tabs for the panel 702 in the annular housing 206. The upper retaining tab 2022 being axially located above the lower retaining tab 202.
[0058] In another variant (not shown), the axial width of the housing is slidably adjusted so that the axial width of the housing is adapted to receive expandable elements and panels of different axial widths. In this configuration, the front portion of the second annular element may comprise a sliding mechanism which allows the lower retaining tab 202i to be moved in the axial direction towards the upper retaining tab 2022 so as to reduce or increase the axial width of the housing.
[0059] Still with reference to [Fig.2B], the rear annular portion 2002 of the second annular element 102 comprises at least one axial end E204 opposite the front annular portion 200i and an annular rim 204, the axial end E204 being connected to the annular rim 204.
[0060] The annular rim 204 extends radially outwards and comprises an annular face F204 oriented towards the side of the front annular portion 200i and capable of coming to bear on the annular part 600, preferably a casing, intended to receive the panel.
[0061] The annular rim 204 may further comprise fixing means on its annular face F2o4 capable of fixing the tooling to the annular part 600. In the case where the annular part 600 is a casing, the annular rim comes to bear on the casing 600 at level of one of the flanges 604b 6042 in order to secure the fixing of the tooling 100 on the casing 600, as illustrated in [Fig.4B] or 4C described in the remainder of the description.
[0062] The rear annular portion 2002 has an external diameter Dext which is greater than the diameter DL of a bottom of the housing 206 of the front annular portion and which is intended to be greater than or equal to an external diameter Dp of the panel 702, as illustrated for example in [Fig.4A] described in the remainder of the description.
[0063] Still with reference to [Fig.2B], the tooling further comprises at least one measuring device 106 for at least one physical parameter relating to the bonding of the panel 702 to the annular part 600. The parameter may be the temperature during the polymerization of the glue in the autoclave or the pressure exerted by the expandable element 104 on the panel 702 or even the time taken for the bonding of the panel 702 to the annular part 600.
[0064] The measuring device 106 is arranged on the second annular element 102 at the interface between the expandable annular element 104 and the front annular portion 202i of the second annular element 102. Said device is capable of communicating with at least one reading device by emitting a signal representative of the measured physical parameter.
[0065] The measuring device 106 comprises at least one electronic circuit 302 comprising a sensor for measuring the at least one physical parameter and an antenna for communicating with the at least one reading device. The electronic circuit 302 is for example an RFID type electronic chip.
[0066] The measuring device 106 further comprises a support 304 on which the electronic circuit 302 and the antenna 300 are arranged.
[0067] According to a variant (not shown), the tooling may comprise a plurality of measuring devices capable of communicating with the reading device. In this configuration, each measuring device may be configured to measure a physical parameter different from that of the others. For example, and in a non-limiting manner, a first measuring device may measure the temperature during polymerization of the glue, a second, the pressure of the expandable element on the panel and a third, the time taken to carry out the bonding.
[0068] The measuring device is preferably an RFID tag. Preferably the RFID tag is passive of the UHF (ultra high frequency) type, preferably comprises at least one antenna for transmitting the signal representative of the physical parameter measured.
[0069] The RFID tag may be of metal or non-metal type. Preferably, the RFID tag is of metal type having an antenna with a selective bandwidth. The signal sent by the antenna can be read either in the band between 830 - 930 MHz. The RFID tag can also be equipped with a wideband antenna.
[0070] Still with reference to [Fig.2B], the second annular element of the tooling comprises at least one radially extending through opening 108 which is formed in the front annular portion of the second annular element. The opening 108 is configured to allow said communication between the measuring device and said at least one reading device.
[0071] The opening is defined by at least a first and a second dimension Lh L2 , the first dimension Li being greater than the second dimension L2 as illustrated for example in [Fig.3]. The two dimensions are measured in perpendicular directions.
[0072] The first dimension is proportional to the wavelength of the emitted signal representative of the measured physical parameter and, defined by the relation,
[0073] [Math.l] where X is the wavelength of the emitted signal, c is the speed of light, f is the frequency of the emitted signal and n is an integer between 1 and 10.
[0074] For example, and in a non-limiting manner, in the case where the frequency of the signal emitted by the antenna 302 of the measuring device 106 is 915 MHz, the first dimension L1 = 327 mm for n = 1 and L1 = 163 mm for n = 2.
[0075] The second dimension L2 is between 1 and 5 mm.
[0076] The opening 108 may have different shapes and / or orientations. The tooling may be, for example, and in a non-limiting manner, a slot 108A, 108B oriented axially 108A or radially 108B or even a cross 108c as illustrated in [Fig.3],
[0077] The opening can be positioned at any location of the front annular portion 200i.
[0078] In some embodiments, the tooling may comprise several openings, for example slots, spaced apart from each other or close to each other.
[0079] In certain embodiments (not shown), the tooling 100 may be asymmetrical. In the case where the axisymmetric tooling 100 has very large dimensions, for example of the order of several meters in diameter and height, the front annular portion 200i may comprise several openings 108A, 108B, 108c like those shown in [Fig. 3] so as to improve communication between the reading devices and the measuring devices.
[0080] Generally, the dimensions of the opening are defined so that the opening to avoid weakening the rigidity of the second annular element and or cause poor compression of the panel by the expandable annular element 104. Indeed, an opening that is too large would cause a portion of the expandable element to come out, thus reducing the pressure exerted. The only restriction is to avoid an opening that is too large so that the bladder remains inside and the tool retains its rigidity.
[0081] Still with reference to [Fig.2B], the rear annular portion 2002 may further comprise gripping means 208 located on its annular rim 204 as illustrated for example in FIGS. 2A or 2B.
[0082] Preferably, the expandable element 104 is configured to exert a pressure in the radial direction of between 0.1 bar and 3 bars. For example, and in a non-limiting manner, the first annular element is an elastomer or silicone bladder.
[0083] Preferably, the second annular element is made of rigid material. For example and in a non-limiting manner, the second annular element may be made of aluminum, steel or composite material. Preferably, the second annular element is made of metallic material and is capable of forming, with the panel 702 and the annular part 600, a waveguide so as to provide communication between the at least one measuring device and the at least one reading device.
[0084] In the absence of an opening in the front annular portion 200i of the second element 102 of the tooling 100, the second annular element 102 can form with the panel and the annular part 600 a Faraday cage. For example, and in a non-limiting manner, when the part is made of metallic material, the annular part consisting of a mixture of thermosetting resin such as epoxy and carbon fibers and the panel consisting of carbon fibers, they all have the property of being conductive. Thus, due to their electrical conduction properties, their shapes as well as their integrations, this assembly of the three elements can form a Faraday cage which can greatly reduce or eliminate the communication capacity of the antenna of a reading device (for example of a UHF RFID type antenna) with the measuring devices (for example the UHF RFID type tags) located inside this assembly.
[0085] Advantageously, a person skilled in the art will understand that the tooling as described allows, by means of the opening, the formation of a waveguide which makes it possible to improve communication between the measuring device.
[0086] In certain embodiments (not shown), the tooling may comprise, at the level of the front annular portion 200i, a sufficiently large square-shaped opening, for example 162 mm on each side, and a material that is “transparent” to radio waves, i.e. it does not disturb the propagation or transmission of the waves, arranged at the level of the opening. The material may be, for example, and in a non-limiting manner, glass.
[0087] Those skilled in the art will also understand that the invention also makes it possible to simplify the bonding of the panel to the annular part. Indeed, a single opening in the tooling allows communication with all the measuring devices and a single reading device can be used for communication with the measuring devices.
[0088] The invention relates to The invention also relates to a tool assembly.
[0089] [Fig.4A] represents a partial sectional view of a tool assembly according to the invention. The assembly comprises a tool 100 described above and at least one panel 702. The panel 702 is arranged in the annular housing 206 of the front annular portion 2001. The expandable element 104 of the tool is interposed radially between the second annular element 102 and the panel 702.
[0090] In this example, the assembly comprises at least two measuring devices 106a, 106b and an opening 108. The external diameter Dext of the rear portion 2002 is equal to the external diameter Dp of the panel 702.
[0091] In another variant shown in [Fig.4B], the assembly further comprises an annular part intended to receive the panel. The tooling equipped with the panel is inserted into the annular part, preferably a casing, intended to receive the panel 702.
[0092] The insertion of the tool 100 equipped with the panel 702 into the annular part 600 is carried out in such a way that the axis Ao of the tool 100 coincides with the axis of revolution A of the annular part 600.
[0093] The panel 702 is interposed between the expandable element 104 of the tool 100 and the internal surface of the annular part 600. In the case where the annular part 600 is a casing, the rear annular portion 2002 and its annular rim 204 bear respectively on the internal surface and one 604i of the flanges 604i, 6042 of the casing 600.
[0094] The measuring device 106 is inserted into the zone ZI at the interface between the front annular portion 200i and the expandable element 104. Without the opening 108 in the front annular portion 200i, the zone ZI can constitute a Faraday cage preventing communications between the measuring device and a reading device.
[0095] With reference to [Fig.4C], the assembly may further comprise a reading device 112 for the signal relating to the physical parameter measured by the at least one measuring device 106. The reading device 112 is positioned at the opening 108 in the front annular portion 200i of the second annular element 102 of the tool 100.
[0096] Preferably, the reading device is an RFID reader comprising at least one RFID antenna, preferably of the UHF RFID type.
[0097] The reading device may be in a single block and comprising an integrated antenna or in the form of an assembly comprising at least one antenna and at least one electronic circuit connected to the antenna.
[0098] In some embodiments (not shown), the antenna of the reading device is an SMA type antenna. For example, and in a non-limiting manner, an SMA antenna with a band between 40 and 860 MHz. The antenna is introduced into the interface between the front annular portion 200i and the expandable element 104 through the opening 108.
[0099] Still with reference to [Fig.4C], the reading device 112 is preferably positioned at a distance of between 1cm and 150cm from the opening 108. In this way, the measuring device is able to send and receive at least one signal optimally.
[0100] The reading device 112 sends a request in the form of a signal, for example a radio signal, to a given device via its antenna (not shown). The request may relate to a measurement of the pressure exerted by the expandable element 104 on the panel 702 or of the temperature during the bonding of the panel 702 to the annular part 600. The measuring device 106 receives the signal relating to the request (for example the pressure) and responds to it by transmitting a signal corresponding to the request (i.e. the pressure) to the reading device 112.
[0101] Thus a single reading device can be used to control the bonding of the panel to the annular part, for example a casing.
[0102] In another variant, the assembly may further comprise one or more annular seal(s) 110 disposed between the tooling and the panel and / or the tooling and the annular part. Preferably, the assembly comprises one or more seal(s) disposed between the tooling and the annular part.
[0103] The seal(s) 110 may be arranged radially between the tooling and the annular part as illustrated in [Fig.5]. The seal(s) 110 may be arranged axially between the annular rim 204 of the rear annular portion 2002 of the tooling and one 604i of the flanges 604i, 6042 of the annular part (not shown).
[0104] In another variant (not shown), the assembly may comprise a seal 110 arranged radially between the tooling and the annular part (as illustrated in [Fig.5]) and a seal 110 arranged axially between the annular rim 204 of the rear annular portion 2002 of the tooling and one 604i of the flanges 604i, 6042 of the annular part.
[0105] The seal 110 makes it possible to achieve electrical sealing of the assembly described above and improves the waveguide formed by the tooling 100, the panel 702 and the annular part 600. The signals (for example radio waves) emitted by the measuring device(s) are maintained inside the waveguide. This promotes propagation signals towards the opening and therefore towards the antenna of the reading device 112.
[0106] For example, and in a non-limiting manner, electrical sealing can be achieved with a so-called EMC seal made of a polymer foam covered with a metal fabric.
[0107] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an annular part 600 for an aircraft turbomachine. The part 600 comprises an annular casing 602 having an axis of revolution A and comprising at least one internal surface S602 intended to receive at least one panel 702. Preferably, the annular part is a casing.
[0108] As illustrated in [Fig.6], the manufacturing method at least one step of gluing 400 of the panel 702 on the internal surface S6o2 by means of the tooling 100 described above.
[0109] The bonding step 400 comprises at least: a. depositing 500 an adhesive on an external surface of the annular panel intended to be glued to the internal surface of the annular envelope and / or to said internal surface b. the insertion 502 of the tooling equipped with the panel 702 into the annular part 600; c. depositing (504) a seal between the tooling and the panel and / or the tooling and the annular part; d. the expansion (506) of the expandable element; e. gluing (508) by compression of the annular panel onto the inner surface of the part envelope; and f. monitoring (510) at least one physical parameter during at least one of steps d) and e).
[0110] With reference to Figures 7 to 8C, the insertion 502 of the tool 100 equipped with a panel into the annular part, for example a casing, will now be described in detail.
[0111] The insertion 502 of the tooling 100 equipped with the panel 700 comprises at least the arrangement 800 of the panel 702 in the annular housing 206 of the first portion 200i of the second annular element 102 with the expandable element 104 deflated, as illustrated in [Fig.8A], to form the tooling equipped with the panel as illustrated in [Fig.8B].
[0112] The glue is then deposited 802 at the predefined location of the internal surface S6o2 of the envelope 602 of the part 600 and / or on an external surface S702 of the panel 700 intended to be glued at the predefined location.
[0113] After the glue has been deposited, the assembly formed by the tool 100 and the panel 702 is guided 804, as illustrated in [Fig.8C], using the gripping means 208 of the tool inside the annular part so that the external surface S702 of the panel 702 is opposite the predefined location.
[0114] The expandable element is then inflated to fix 806 the panel 702 on the internal surface of the envelope 602 of the part 600.
[0115] The bonding 508 of the panel 702 after its fixing on the internal surface of the part 600 comprises at least the arrangement in an autoclave of the assembly formed by the part 600 and the panel 702 in order to polymerize the glue. The polymerization temperature can vary between 80°C and 200°C for a duration of between 1 h and 4 h, depending on the type of glue used. For example, and in a non-limiting manner, the glue can be of the epoxy, bismaleimide or polyimide type.
[0116] When monitoring (510) the at least one physical parameter, the reading device is positioned at a distance of between 1cm and 150cm from the opening.
[0117] Advantageously, a person skilled in the art will understand that the tooling of the present invention makes it possible to facilitate the bonding of a panel to the internal surface of the envelope of an annular part, preferably a casing: - by improving the positioning of the panel at the predefined location thanks to the housing and the retaining tabs of the front portion of the second annular element and the means of fixing the rear portion of the second annular element; - by ensuring that the panel is held under stress on the internal surface of the annular part using the expandable element; and - by improving control / access to key manufacturing parameters (temperature, pressure, etc.) or bonding while minimizing or avoiding signal losses relating to key parameters. This makes it possible to avoid or reduce manufacturing defects linked to poor positioning of the panel and / or degradation of the technical fabrics described above, but also to improve the control of physical parameters such as temperature and pressure exerted throughout the manufacturing process.
[0118] The invention further allows a single reading device comprising a single antenna to communicate with several measuring devices located inside the assembly (formed at least by the tooling, the panel and the annular part) thanks to a specific opening in the front annular portion of the tooling.
[0119] The use of measuring devices such as RFID tags makes it possible to simplify the assembly of the tooling, the panel and the annular part for the implementation of the manufacturing or bonding process. Indeed, RFID tags make it possible to eliminate wire-type measuring devices which can make complex implementation of the process (calibration time, installation, routing, interconnection with an acquisition center).
[0120] The invention also allows a saving in time. Indeed, it is no longer necessary to prepare technical fabrics and to affix them to the assembly formed by an annular part 600 (for example a casing) and the panel 702. There is therefore elimination of at least one step in the mounting or assembly of the casing and consequently, a saving in time.
[0121] The invention also makes it possible to reduce the ecological footprint relating to the manufacture or assembly of annular parts such as casings. Indeed, the tooling can be used over several production cycles and it is no longer necessary to use single-use fabrics. Waste production is therefore enormously reduced or eliminated.
Claims
1. Claims Tool (100) for bonding at least one panel (702), the tool (100) having an annular shape around an axis (Ao) and comprising at least: - a first annular element (104) which extends around the axis and which is expandable so that its radial dimension or thickness can be modified; and - a second annular element (102) which extends around the axis and which comprises a front annular portion (2000 and a rear annular portion (2002): • the front annular portion (2000) comprising an annular housing (206) opening radially outwards and configured to receive at least the expandable element (104) and said at least one panel (702), the expandable element (104) being intended to be interposed radially between said second annular element (102) and said at least one panel (702); • the rear annular portion (2002) being connected at its axial end opposite the front annular portion to an annular rim (204) which extends radially outwards and which comprises an annular face oriented towards the side of the front annular portion and capable of coming to bear on an annular part (600) intended to receive the panel (702); characterized in that the tooling further comprises: - at least one measuring device (106) of at least one physical parameter relating to the bonding of the panel (702) on the annular part (600), and arranged on the second annular element (102) at the interface between the expandable annular element (104) and the front annular portion (2000 of the second annular element (102), said device (106) being capable of communicating with at least one reading device (112) by emitting a signal representative of the measured physical parameter; and - at least one radially through opening (108, 108A, 108B, 108c) which is formed in the front annular portion (200i) of the second annular element (102) and which is configured to allow said communication between the measuring device (106) and said at least one reading device (112).
2. Tooling (100) according to claim 1, wherein the measuring device (106) comprises at least one sensor for measuring the at least one physical parameter and an antenna (300) for communicating with the at least one reading device (112).
3. Tooling (100) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the opening (108) is defined by at least a first and a second dimension (Lb L2) measured in perpendicular directions, the first dimension (Li) being greater than the second dimension (L2).
4. Tooling (100) according to the preceding claim, in which the first dimension (Li) is proportional to the wavelength of the emitted signal representative of the measured physical parameter and, defined by the relation, [Math.l] where X is the wavelength of the emitted signal, c is the speed of light, f is the frequency of the emitted signal and n is an integer between 1 and 10.
5. Tooling (100) according to claim 3, wherein the second dimension (L2) is between 1 and 5 mm.
6. Tooling (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the opening (108, 108A, 108B, 108c) has a shape chosen from a slot (108, 108A, 108B) or a cross (108c).
7. Tooling (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which it comprises a plurality of measuring devices (106) capable of communicating with said at least one reading device (112).
8. Tooling (100) according to the preceding claim, in which it comprises a single opening (108) through which the plurality of measuring devices (106) communicates with said at least one reading device (112).
9. Tooling (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second annular element (102) of the tooling (100) is made of metallic material and is capable of forming, with said panel (702) and said annular part (600), a waveguide so as to provide communication between the at least one measuring device (106) and the at least one reading device (112).
10. Tooling (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, in which the measuring device (106) is an RFID sensor.
11. Assembly comprising the tooling (100) according to one of claims 1 to 10 and at least one panel (702) arranged in the annular housing (206) of the front annular portion (200i).
12. Assembly according to the preceding claim, further comprising an annular part (600) intended to receive the panel (702), the tooling (100) equipped with the panel (702) being inserted into the annular part (600) intended to receive the panel (702).
13. An assembly according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising an annular seal (110) disposed between the tooling (100) and the panel (702) and / or between the tooling (100) and the annular part (600).
14. Assembly according to one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising a device (112) for reading the signal relating to the measured physical parameter.
15. Assembly according to the preceding claim, in which the reading device (112) is an RFID reader comprising at least one antenna.
16. A method of manufacturing an annular part, the part comprising an annular envelope having an axis of revolution and comprising at least one internal surface intended to receive at least one panel, the method comprising at least one step of bonding (400) the panel to the internal surface by means of a tool according to one of claims 1 to 10, the bonding step comprising at least: a. the deposition (500) of an adhesive on an external surface of the annular panel intended to be bonded to the internal surface of the annular envelope and / or to said internal surface; b. the insertion (502) of the tool equipped with the annular panel into the part; c. depositing (504) a seal between the tooling and the panel and / or the tooling and the annular part; d. expanding (506) the expandable element; e. gluing (508) by compression of the annular panel onto the inner surface of the part envelope; and f. monitoring (510) at least one physical parameter during at least one of steps d) and e).
17. Method of manufacturing an annular part according to the preceding claim, in which, during the monitoring (510) of the at least one physical parameter, the reading device is positioned at a distance of between 1 cm and 150 cm from the opening.