Piezoceramic Coating with Flexible Substrate for Thermal Stress

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Solution Overview

Problem

Piezoceramic components face challenges in withstanding harsh environmental conditions such as humid, salty air and extreme temperature fluctuations, as well as mechanical loads, which can lead to damage and reduced functionality.

Innovation Solution

A coating method is developed that applies a second material layer with higher mechanical robustness and modulus of elasticity over a first material layer with a three-dimensionally shaped surface structure, featuring elevations and depressions, to create a protective and functional layer system that can compensate for mechanical and thermal stresses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a protective coating is applied to piezoceramic components, then protection against harsh environmental conditions is improved, but the component weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against harsh environmental conditionsVSAvoidcomponent weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a thin film coating structure consisting of a flexible first material layer and a robust second material layer. The first layer acts as a flexible substrate that can accommodate dimensional changes of the piezoceramic component, while the second layer provides protective functions. This thin film approach provides environmental protection while minimizing weight increase compared to bulk protective structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite coating system with two distinct material layers having different properties. The first material layer provides mechanical flexibility and adhesion, while the second material layer provides enhanced protection against environmental conditions. This composite structure achieves superior protective performance with minimal weight penalty by combining materials strategically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If a rigid protective layer is applied to piezoceramic components, then protection against mechanical stress is improved, but the component's ability to withstand dynamic thermal loads is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against mechanical stressVSAvoidwithstand dynamic thermal loads
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The first material layer is specifically designed to be mechanically flexible with a modulus of elasticity lower than the second layer and lower than the piezoceramic component. This flexible layer can accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the piezoceramic component during dynamic thermal loading, preventing stress concentration and coating failure while the second layer provides mechanical stress protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent carefully selects materials with specific mechanical properties, particularly focusing on the modulus of elasticity. The first layer has a lower modulus (more flexible) than the second layer, creating a gradient that allows the coating system to adapt to thermal dimensional changes while maintaining mechanical protection. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between rigidity and thermal flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2831303B1Coating method, surface layer structure, and uses therefor
Publication Date: 2019.01.02 AIRBUS DEFENCE & SPACE GMBH
  • EP2831303B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2831303B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2831303B1 patent drawingFigure 6~12

AI summary

The invention relates to a coating method for generating a functional layer on mechanically stressed components or surfaces, the method comprising the following steps: provision or application of a first material layer (2) made of a first material or substrate matrix (5) having a higher mechanical flexibility than a second material (6) onto a substrate (1) forming the component and/or the surface; structuring the first material layer (2) so that the material layer surface of the first material layer (2) facing away from the substrate (1) is provided with a three-dimensionally molded basic structure (14) having elevations (10) and depressions (12), and coating the material layer surface of the first material layer (2) with a second material layer (3) made of the second material (6) such that the second material layer (3) essentially assumes the basic structure (14) of the material layer surface having the elevations (16) and depressions (18). The invention further relates to surface layer structures that can be produced in this manner.