Turbomachine Coating-Capturing Feature for Thermal Insulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional turbomachine components face issues with spalling of thermally resistant coatings, particularly at high-temperature regions, which reduces their effectiveness and longevity due to inadequate heat transfer and coating retention.
Innovation Solution
The development of coating-capturing features on turbomachine components, comprising a first and second member with an indentation, which retains surface coatings and enhances thermal conductivity by positioning at least a portion of the coating within the indentation, thereby reducing spalling and improving heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional coating methods are used on turbomachine components, then the coating can be applied to the exterior surface, but the coating is prone to spalling and breaks off at high-temperature regions
Solution Approach 1:
The coating-capturing feature divides the exterior surface into distinct regions: a first region (flat surface) and a second region (indentation). The coating is applied to both regions, but the indentation region specifically captures and retains coating material, preventing it from spalling off during operation. This segmentation allows the coating to be retained in critical areas while maintaining overall component functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies a localized structural modification (indentation) at specific high-temperature exposure regions rather than modifying the entire component. This local quality change creates a coating-capturing feature precisely where spalling is most problematic, allowing the coating to be retained where thermal stress is highest without affecting other areas of the component.
2Reliability
If pins or fixtures are added to anchor the coating, then spalling is reduced, but heat transfer from the exterior surface into the base material is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The flat first region and indentation second region create localized zones with different thermal and mechanical properties. The flat region maintains good thermal contact with the base material for heat transfer, while the indentation region provides coating retention. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between anchoring the coating and maintaining heat transfer pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The coating-capturing feature acts as an intermediary structure between the coating and the base material. Rather than using pins or fixtures that interrupt heat flow, the indentation provides a geometric intermediary that retains the coating through its shape while maintaining continuous thermal contact with the base material through the surrounding flat surface.
3Reliability
If material is removed from the exterior surface to create coating retention features, then coating spalling is prevented, but the component structure is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The indentation is pre-formed into the component structure before coating application. This preliminary action creates the coating-capturing geometry in advance, so that when the coating is applied, it naturally flows into and is retained by the indentation. The structural integrity is maintained because the indentation is a controlled, minimal material removal that does not compromise the overall component strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The indentation creates a localized material removal only where needed for coating retention, rather than removing material from the entire exterior surface. This local quality change preserves the overall structural strength of the component while providing sufficient material removal in the specific region to create an effective coating anchor.
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
The coating-capturing features effectively prevent spalling, retain more surface coating material, and enhance thermal conductivity, leading to improved thermal protection and reduced metal temperatures within turbomachine components.
Implementation Method 1
the coating-capturing feature may be structured to retain larger amounts of surface coating material than conventional features... while still permitting thermal conductivity into the body of a turbomachine airfoil
Implementation Method 2
Various stationary and rotating components of a turbomachine... may be coated with temperature-resistant materials before being deployed within a turbomachine
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to turbomachine components which include one or more coating-capturing features for thermal insulation. A turbomachine component may include: a body having an exterior surface positioned within a hot gas path (HGP) section of a turbomachine; and a coating-capturing feature mounted on the exterior surface of the body and in thermal communication with the HGP section of the turbomachine, wherein the coating-capturing feature comprises: a first member positioned on the exterior surface of the body, the first member having at least one outer sidewall defining a first perimeter of the coating-capturing feature, a second member positioned on the first member and having at least one outer sidewall defining a second perimeter of the coating-capturing feature, wherein the first member separates the second member from the exterior surface of the body, and an indentation positioned between the first and second members.