Icephobic Compressor Vane Surface Design

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Turbine engine vanes are prone to icing, leading to aerodynamic shape degradation and safety issues, with existing icephobic surfaces still experiencing frost build-up due to turbulence and ice adhesion.

Innovation Solution

A turbine engine vane with a leading edge featuring an icephobic surface that extends to a hydrophobic surface, which reduces ice accumulation by incorporating nano-features and micro-roughness patterns, and is made from materials like titanium alloys with specific coatings for enhanced ice release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If an icephobic surface is applied to the leading edge, then ice adhesion is reduced, but frost build-up still occurs due to turbulence and water droplet accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice adhesionVSAvoidfrost build-up

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different surface properties to different regions of the vane: an icephobic surface with low ice adhesion at the leading edge, and a hydrophobic surface with water repellent properties extending downstream. This local differentiation addresses the specific requirements of each zone - preventing ice formation at the critical leading edge while managing water droplet behavior in the downstream region where turbulence causes accumulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines two distinct surface treatments (icephobic and hydrophobic) into a composite surface system. The icephobic surface typically comprises materials or structures with low ice adhesion, while the hydrophobic surface uses materials that repel water. This composite approach leverages the complementary strengths of both surface types to provide comprehensive anti-icing protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the icephobic surface extends further downstream, then frost accumulation is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrost accumulationVSAvoidsurface treatment extent

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the hydrophobic surface treatment to a limited downstream extension rather than covering the entire vane surface. This partial action provides sufficient anti-frost protection in the critical zones where turbulence and water droplet accumulation occur, while avoiding the excessive complexity and cost of treating the entire surface. The extension length is optimized to balance performance with manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If nanoscale modifications are applied to the surface, then icephobic properties are enhanced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveicephobic propertiesVSAvoidnanoscale surface modification

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies surface parameters at the nanoscale through controlled changes in surface energy, roughness, and chemical composition. By adjusting these parameters within specific ranges, the icephobic properties are enhanced without requiring extreme manufacturing precision. The solution identifies optimal parameter windows that deliver superior performance while remaining manufacturable with conventional precision capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution effectively reduces frost presence by allowing water droplets to slide off, maintaining operational safety and reliability while being cost-effective, lightweight, and easy to maintain.

Implementation Method 1

a hydrophobic surface extends from the icephobic surface towards the trailing edge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobic effect: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 2

physical properties limiting the presence of frost or ice; in particular by limiting the solidification of water droplets condensing therein, by repelling the water droplets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 3

The icephobic surface includes nanoreliefs, including nano-pillars and/or nano-cones

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNanorelief effect:

Implementation Method 4

The icephobic surface has a pattern with a micro roughness on which nanorelief are formed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicro roughness:

Data Source

PatentUS10907488B2Icephobic vane for a compressor of an axial turbine engine

Publication Date: 2021.02.02 SAFRAN AERO BOOSTERS SA

AI summary

The invention relates to an anti-icing turbomachine blade (26), in particular for a low-pressure compressor or an intermediate-pressure compressor of a turbomachine. The blade (26) has a leading edge (28) formed by an ice-phobic surface (40) and two hydrophobic surfaces (42; 44) which extend the ice-phobic surface (40) on the pressure side (32) and the suction side (34) to allow water droplets escaping from the leading edge (28) to flow.