Thermal Break for CMC-Metal Alloy Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
The interaction between ceramic matrix composites (CMC) and metal alloys at elevated temperatures in gas turbines leads to undesirable silicide formation, which degrades the metal alloys, posing challenges for efficiency and performance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a thermal break adjacent to the interface structure between CMC and metal alloys, which interrupts thermal conduction paths, thereby reducing heat transfer and silicide formation, and utilizing a thermal break that can be a hollow feature or an insulator like zirconia to manage heat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If CMC materials contact metal alloys at elevated temperatures, then performance and efficiency are improved, but silicides form and rapidly degrade the metal alloy
Solution Approach 1:
A thermal break structure is introduced as an intermediary element positioned between the CMC material and the metal alloy interface. This thermal break interrupts the thermal conduction path, preventing direct heat transfer that would otherwise cause silicide formation and metal alloy degradation, while still allowing the components to function together to improve gas turbine performance and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal break divides the continuous thermal conduction path into separate segments, creating a discontinuity in heat flow between the CMC and metal alloy. This segmentation prevents the uncontrolled thermal interaction that leads to harmful silicide formation, while maintaining the structural and functional integrity of both materials.
2Use of energy by moving object
If thermal conduction path is uninterrupted, then heat transfer is efficient, but silicide formation degrades metal alloy
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal break acts as a mediator that modifies the thermal conduction path. It allows controlled heat transfer to maintain efficiency while simultaneously blocking the specific thermal pathways that lead to silicide formation at the CMC-metal alloy interface, thus eliminating the harmful effect without completely阻断ing heat transfer.
3Reliability
If thermal break is introduced, then metal alloy degradation is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal break can be implemented as a thin film or coating structure applied at the CMC-metal alloy interface. This thin-film approach provides effective thermal interruption to prevent silicide formation and metal alloy degradation, while minimizing the increase in device complexity and maintaining a compact apparatus structure.
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
This solution decreases the degradation of metal alloys, increases the lifespan of components, reduces cooling requirements, and enhances the overall efficiency of gas turbine components by mitigating thermal conduction and silicide attack.
Implementation Method 1
The thermal break interrupts a thermal conduction path from the second article to the first article
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is disclosed, including a first article, a second article, at least one interface structure, and a thermal break directly adjacent to the at least one interface structure. The first article includes a first material composition having a first thermal tolerance. The second article includes a second material composition having a second thermal tolerance greater than the first thermal tolerance. The first article and the second article are in contact with one another through the interface structure. The thermal break interrupts a thermal conduction path from the second article to the first article.