Reusable Covering Device for Engine Component Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for protecting areas on engine components like rotor drums during coating processes are time-consuming, error-prone, and material-intensive, with adhesive masking tapes often failing to withstand the process and leaving residues, leading to high costs and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A covering device with a dimensionally stable holding device and a flexible insertion device that can be easily assembled and reused across multiple components, providing a reversible and cost-effective solution for protecting areas during machining and coating processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If adhesive masking tapes are used to protect component surfaces, then the surfaces are covered during coating processes, but the application is time-consuming and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection reliabilityVSAvoidapplication time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The protective covering is divided into a holding device and an insertion device that can be separately assembled. The insertion device is inserted into the holding device to form a complete protective covering, allowing for modular assembly that reduces application time while maintaining protection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holding device is prepared in advance with the insertion device inserted into it before being applied to the component. This preliminary assembly ensures proper positioning and reduces the time required during the actual coating process setup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If adhesive masking tapes are used to protect component surfaces, then the surfaces are covered during coating processes, but the tapes sometimes do not withstand the coating process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection reliabilityVSAvoidwithstand capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The protective covering combines a dimensionally stable holding device (made of rigid material like plastic or metal) with a flexible insertion device (made of elastomeric material). This composite structure provides both structural integrity to withstand coating processes and flexibility to conform to component surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The insertion device is made of elastomeric material that forms a flexible protective layer. This flexible shell can conform to the component surface while providing adequate protection during the coating process, unlike rigid adhesive masking tapes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If adhesive masking tapes are used to protect component surfaces, then the surfaces are covered during coating processes, but residues remain on the component surface after removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection reliabilityVSAvoidsurface contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The protective covering is designed as a disposable or easily removable covering that does not leave residues. The elastomeric insertion device can be cleanly removed from the component surface without leaving adhesive residues, unlike traditional adhesive masking tapes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Reliability

If new adhesive masking tapes are used for each component, then each component is protected during coating, but material requirements and costs are high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection reliabilityVSAvoidmaterial consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The holding device is designed as a universal component that can be reused for multiple components. The insertion device can be inserted into the same holding device for different components, allowing one holding device to serve multiple purposes and reducing overall material consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The insertion device is designed to be easily removed and potentially reused or replaced, while the holding device is recovered and reused for subsequent components. This separation allows the expensive holding device structure to be recovered and reused, reducing material consumption over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentEP3156135B1Covering device for attachment to a component

Publication Date: 2020.03.18 ROLLS ROYCE DEUT LTD & CO KG

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AI summary

A cover device (20, 21, 22) is proposed for attachment to a component (1) that is at least partially rotationally symmetrical, with a dimensionally stable holding device (24) designed to circumferentially enclose a region (5, 6, 7) of the component (1). An insertion device (30), which is at least partially flexible, is provided, which is inserted into the holding device (24) and, in the assembled state of the cover device (20, 21, 22), is arranged at least partially between the holding device (24) and the component (1) and bears against the component (1).