Chamber-Based Wet Treatment for Gas Turbine Engine Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wet treatment processes for gas turbine engine components are inefficient, costly, and pose health, safety, and environmental risks due to the use of large processing tanks that require significant fluid volumes, lead to fluid loss, and lack process accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A chamber-based system with controlled fluid application and recovery, including a chamber with component supports, fluid application devices, and a controller for automated treatment, reducing the need for large tanks and minimizing fluid loss while ensuring uniform treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional processing tanks are used for wet treatment, then the component can be treated, but large volumes of fluid are required and fluid loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential wet treatment function from the conventional processing tank system. Instead of submerging the component in large volumes of fluid within a tank, the system applies fluid directly to the component surface using spray nozzles positioned at controlled distances, thereby eliminating the need for large fluid volumes and reducing fluid loss through targeted application and recovery systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary fluid delivery system consisting of spray nozzles and delivery conduits that mediate between the fluid source and the component. This intermediary system enables precise control over fluid application, allowing the component to be treated with minimal fluid while maintaining treatment effectiveness, thus reducing both fluid volume requirements and associated losses.
2Quantity of substance
If processing tanks are used for wet treatment, then the component can be treated, but operational costs increase due to heating and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wet treatment function from the energy-intensive processing tank system. By eliminating the need for large fluid volumes in tanks, the system removes the requirement for continuous heating of bulk fluids, thereby significantly reducing operational energy costs while maintaining effective component treatment through localized fluid application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by using localized fluid application instead of full immersion. Only the necessary amount of fluid is applied directly to the component surface where it is needed, rather than filling entire tanks with fluid that requires heating and maintenance, thus reducing energy consumption while achieving the required treatment效果.
3Manufacturing precision
If processing tanks are used for wet treatment, then the component can be treated, but process accuracy is reduced and fluid spillage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms through controlled fluid delivery systems where spray nozzles are positioned at predetermined distances from the component and operate under controlled pressure and flow rates. This feedback control ensures accurate fluid application to the component surface, preventing both under-treatment and over-treatment, while also preventing fluid spillage through precise delivery and recovery systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses spray nozzles and delivery conduits as intermediary elements that mediate between the fluid source and the component with precision. These intermediaries control the timing, location, and amount of fluid applied, ensuring accurate treatment while preventing spillage. The system includes recovery systems that capture and return used fluid, further preventing environmental contamination.
4Quantity of substance
If processing tanks are used for wet treatment, then the component can be treated, but health, safety, and environmental risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful aspects from the conventional tank system by eliminating large volumes of potentially hazardous fluids from the processing environment. Fluid is applied only where needed on the component surface and is immediately recovered, minimizing exposure risks to workers and reducing environmental contamination while maintaining effective treatment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces controlled delivery systems with spray nozzles and recovery conduits as intermediaries that manage hazardous fluids safely. These intermediaries contain and control fluid application, preventing uncontrolled spillage and exposure. The recovery system acts as an intermediary to capture and contain used fluid, reducing environmental risks while allowing the wet treatment process to proceed effectively.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides efficient, automated, and safer wet treatment with reduced fluid usage, minimizing environmental impact and operational costs, while maintaining process accuracy and preventing fluid spillage and evaporation.
Implementation Method 1
The electro-chemical etching process may be carried out by immersing the component and an electrode having opposite polarities in an electrolytic fluid
Implementation Method 2
The chemical etching process may be carried out by means of an acid, base, or any other chemical fluid applied to the component for a period of time. The acid, base, or the other chemical fluid may dissolve or modify the surface layer of the component
Data Source
AI summary
A system has a chamber configured to receive and at least partially enclose at least one gas turbine engine component, at least one component support configured to support the at least one gas turbine engine component, a plurality of tanks configured to store a corresponding plurality of fluids, an electrode disposed at least partially within the chamber, a power source, at least one fluid application device configured to apply a fluid, at least one delivery valve for selectively fluidly coupling the at least one fluid application device to the plurality of tanks, at least one port configured to collect the fluid applied by the at least one fluid application device, and at least one recovery valve for selectively fluidly coupling the at least one port to the plurality of tanks.