Composite Turbine Blade Eutectic Ceramic Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing high-temperature turbine blades for gas turbines face limitations in mechanical properties, resistance to foreign object damage, and fracture toughness, requiring separate cooling means which decreases efficiency and performance.

Innovation Solution

A composite turbine blade design featuring a high-strength eutectic ceramic inner carrying structure and a ceramic matrix composite airfoil, with optional metal coatings and reinforcement fibers, allowing for enhanced mechanical properties and temperature resistance up to 1,500°C or 1,800°C without active cooling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If ceramic materials are used for turbine blades to increase temperature capability, then the temperature resistance is improved, but the mechanical strength and fracture toughness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature resistanceVSAvoidmechanical strength and fracture toughness
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite structure combining eutectic ceramic (for high temperature resistance) and ceramic matrix composite (for mechanical strength and fracture toughness). This composite material approach allows the turbine blade to simultaneously achieve high temperature capability (>1500°C) and sufficient mechanical strength, resolving the contradiction between temperature resistance and mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If separate cooling means are added to turbine blades to operate at high temperatures, then the temperature capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature capabilityVSAvoidcooling system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the separate cooling system by using materials (eutectic ceramic and CMC) that inherently withstand high temperatures without requiring active cooling. This removes the complexity of cooling ducts, cooling air supply systems, and associated control mechanisms, while maintaining temperature capability through material selection rather than active cooling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of manufacture

If eutectic ceramic fibers are used for turbine blade manufacturing, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the fracture toughness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidfracture toughness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines eutectic ceramic (easy to manufacture) with ceramic matrix composite (high fracture toughness) in a composite structure. The CMC component specifically addresses the fracture toughness limitation of eutectic ceramic while maintaining the manufacturing advantages of the eutectic ceramic core, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and fracture toughness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP2902588B1Composite turbine blade for high-temperature applications
Publication Date: 2020.06.24 ANSALDO ENERGIA IP UK LTD
  • EP2902588B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2902588B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2902588B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Composite turbine blade (10) for high-temperature applications such as gas turbines or the like having a root (1) for mounting said blade (10) in a corresponding circumferential assembly groove of a rotor and an airfoil (2) connected to said root (1), whereby an inner carrying structure (3) is provided extending at least over a portion of said root (1) as well as at least a portion of said airfoil (2), whereby said inner carrying structure (3) is made of a high strength eutectic ceramic and said airfoil (2) is made of a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material.