Multi-Laser Turbine Blade Heating for Controlled Thermal Profiles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing induction heating systems struggle to adapt to heating elements with different geometries and lack the ability to achieve uniform or controlled heat distribution across various areas, particularly in manufacturing or repairing parts subjected to significant thermal and mechanical stresses.

Innovation Solution

A laser heating device with multiple laser emitters and a control module that adjusts emission power based on geometric and positional data, allowing precise control of heating temperature gradients and uniform or non-uniform heating according to predetermined thermal profiles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If induction heating with a coil reproducing the geometry of the body is used, then uniform heat distribution is achieved, but the system becomes difficult to adapt to heating elements with different geometries

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat distribution uniformityVSAvoidadaptability to different geometries
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system is divided into multiple independent heating zones, each equipped with its own heating element and control system. This allows each zone to be independently adjusted to match different geometries of workpieces while maintaining uniform heat distribution in each specific zone, thereby resolving the contradiction between uniformity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heating system employs dynamically adjustable heating elements that can change their configuration or position according to the geometry of the workpiece. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to maintain optimal heat distribution uniformity across different geometries without requiring complete redesign for each new geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If a single heating system is designed for a specific geometry, then uniform heat distribution is achieved, but the system cannot achieve controlled heat distribution across different areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat distribution uniformityVSAvoidcontrolled heat distribution across areas
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system is divided into multiple independently controllable heating zones, each capable of maintaining uniform heat distribution locally while the overall system can create controlled non-uniform heat distribution patterns across different areas by adjusting the power and temperature setpoints of individual zones according to the predetermined thermal profile.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each heating zone is equipped with independent control that allows different temperature settings and heating parameters for different areas of the workpiece. This enables the system to apply uniform heating where needed while creating controlled temperature gradients in other areas, achieving both local uniformity and global controlled non-uniformity simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables precise and adaptable heating of complex-shaped parts, such as turbine blades, with controlled temperature distributions, suitable for preheating and post-heating steps in additive manufacturing processes, reducing mechanical stresses and ensuring uniform or non-uniform heating as needed.

Implementation Method 1

a given laser source equipped with several laser emitters respectively to emit at least a first laser beam with a first predetermined power towards a first target area of the part or part element and to emit a second laser beam with a second predetermined power towards a second target area of the part or part element distinct from the first target area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser heating: Laser

Implementation Method 2

heating without contact a body 1 bathed in an electromagnetic field produced by a coil 2

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction heating: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4149714B1Laser heating for the manufacture or repair of a turbine blade
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 SAFRAN SA
  • EP4149714B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~2
  • EP4149714B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4149714B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

Disclosed is a device for laser heating of a mechanical part (35) of the turbine blade or turbine blade element type, comprising: one or more laser emitters (11j,…,11k), for respectively emitting at least a first laser radiation at a first predetermined power towards a first target area of the part and for emitting a second laser radiation at a second predetermined power towards a second target area of the part, different from the first target area, the second predetermined power being different from the first predetermined power. Figure for the abstract: figure 7.10