CMC Blade Outer Air Seal Slot Notch for Thermal Stress Relief

The patent applies local quality by providing thermal barrier material specifically at the radially inner surface of the CMC air seal segment, rather than uniformly throughout. This localized application addresses the specific area where thermal gradients and stresses occur due to the feather seal slot, protecting the critical region without adding unnecessary material elsewhere. The thermal barrier material creates a temperature gradient that reduces thermal stress concentrations at the slot interface.

The patent uses composite materials by combining CMC (ceramic matrix composite) for the air seal segment structure with a separate thermal barrier material layer. This composite approach allows the CMC to provide structural integrity and sealing function while the thermal barrier material specifically addresses thermal management concerns. The combination of these two materials with different thermal properties creates a system that simultaneously achieves seal functionality and thermal stress mitigation.