Multi-Piece Grit Blast Boot Assembly for Turbine Masking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing masking systems for turbine components during grit blasting, such as one-piece rubber molded boots, are difficult to attach and remove, often causing damage to the components, while metal boots are too rigid and can result in undesired blasting if not precisely fitted.
Innovation Solution
A boot assembly comprising two interlocking boots with notches forming a continuous notch and tortuous paths to expose the component, secured by an interference fit or snap connection, allowing easy assembly and disassembly without tools, and formed from resilient materials like silicone or hard rubber to protect the component.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If one-piece rubber molded boots are used for masking turbine components during grit blasting, then the component is protected from damage, but the boot is difficult to attach and remove
Solution Approach 1:
The boot is divided into multiple segments or pieces that can be attached and removed independently. This segmentation allows the boot to be easily installed and removed from the turbine component while maintaining protection during the grit blasting process, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
2Reliability
If one-piece rubber molded boots are used for masking, then the component is protected, but the component is damaged, scratched, or compromised during attachment and removal
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the boot into multiple segments reduces the force and complexity required for attachment and removal operations. This prevents damage and scratches to the turbine component that would occur during the attachment and removal of a single large boot, while maintaining protective coverage during grit blasting.
3Strength
If metal casted boots are used for masking, then the boot provides rigid protection, but undesired portions of the turbine component are grit blasted if not precisely fitted
Solution Approach 1:
The boot is constructed from flexible elastomeric material rather than rigid metal. This flexibility allows the boot to conform to the turbine component and achieve precise masking without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances, while still providing adequate protection during grit blasting.
4Ease of operation
If flexible elastomeric boots are used, then the boot is easy to attach and remove, but the boot may not provide sufficient structural support
Solution Approach 1:
The boot is constructed from composite materials combining flexible elastomeric components with reinforcing elements. This composite structure provides both the ease of attachment and removal associated with flexible materials and the structural support needed to maintain masking integrity during the grit blasting process.
Data Source
AI summary
A boot assembly includes a first boot comprising a boot receiving area, a turbine component receiving area, and a notch that extends into the turbine component receiving area. A second boot is configured to be received within the boot receiving area of the first boot, the second boot comprising a boot engagement face, a turbine engagement portion, and a notch extending into the turbine engagement portion. The first and second boots are configured so that when assembled together, the notches of the first and second boots combine to form a continuous notch with an open end and a closed end. The continuous notch is configured to expose both sides of the turbine component when the turbine component is masked by the boot assembly. A cross-sectional area of the continuous notch is larger toward the open end of the continuous notch than at the closed end of the continuous notch.