Riblet Array Laminate for Erosion-Resistant Airfoil Surfaces

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surface modifications for aerodynamic and anti-icing purposes often fail to provide adequate protection against erosive conditions such as rain and grit, compromising the durability and performance of structures like aircraft and gas turbine engines.

Innovation Solution

A riblet array laminate with a specific geometric configuration, featuring contiguous geometric features with a width-to-height ratio of 1:1 to 2.5:1 and a maximum height of 0.65 mm or less, is applied to airfoil surfaces, providing both erosion resistance and maintaining aerodynamic/anti-icing properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a hard coating is applied to provide erosion protection, then erosion resistance is improved, but aerodynamic performance and anti-icing properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerosion resistanceVSAvoidaerodynamic performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The surface is segmented into multiple functional zones: a hard coating layer for erosion protection and a riblet array laminate for aerodynamic enhancement. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specialized function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between erosion resistance and aerodynamic performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite structure combining a hard coating material (for erosion resistance) with a riblet array laminate (for aerodynamic performance). This composite approach integrates the benefits of both materials, allowing the surface to simultaneously resist erosion and maintain aerodynamic efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If a hard coating is applied to provide erosion protection, then erosion resistance is improved, but anti-icing properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerosion resistanceVSAvoidanti-icing properties

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The surface is segmented into multiple functional zones: a hard coating layer for erosion protection and a riblet array laminate for aerodynamic enhancement. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specialized function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between erosion resistance and aerodynamic performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite structure combining a hard coating material (for erosion resistance) with a riblet array laminate (for aerodynamic performance). This composite approach integrates the benefits of both materials, allowing the surface to simultaneously resist erosion and maintain aerodynamic efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If riblet array laminate is applied to enhance aerodynamic performance, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but durability under erosive conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic performanceVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The surface is segmented into multiple functional zones: a hard coating layer for erosion protection and a riblet array laminate for aerodynamic enhancement. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specialized function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between erosion resistance and aerodynamic performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite structure combining a hard coating material (for erosion resistance) with a riblet array laminate (for aerodynamic performance). This composite approach integrates the benefits of both materials, allowing the surface to simultaneously resist erosion and maintain aerodynamic efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS10107302B2Durable riblets for engine environment

Publication Date: 2018.10.23 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

An airfoil of a propulsion device having a first riblet laminate with a first adhesive layer on at least a first portion of the airfoil surface and a first riblet array sheet disposed on at least a portion of the first adhesive layer. The first riblet array sheet defines a first plurality of contiguous geometric features having rigid peaks and valleys extending in a first rib direction. The first plurality of contiguous geometric features define a total width to total height ratio W:H of about 1:1 to about 2.5:1 with a maximum total height of about 0.65 mm or less. A second riblet array laminate is also disclosed in an embodiment.