Patent Grant
8323409
1. Technical Field
The disclosure generally relates to thermal barrier coatings.
2. Description of the Related Art
Thermal barrier coatings are provided on various types of components that typically are exposed to high temperature environments. In this regard, gas turbine engine components, such as turbine blades and combustion section components (e.g., liners), are candidates for receiving such coatings.
Systems and methods for forming components with thermal barrier coatings are provided. In this regard, an exemplary embodiment of a system for forming a component with a thermal barrier coating comprises: a modular component fixture having a shaft, multiple component mounts and a base cap; the shaft being attached to the base cap; each of the multiple component mounts being removably mountable to the base cap such that rotation of the shaft rotates the component mounts mounted to the base cap; each of the multiple component mounts defining a corresponding recess shaped to at least partially receive a corresponding component.
Another exemplary embodiment of a system for forming a component with a thermal barrier coating comprises: a component fixture having a shaft and a component mount; the shaft being operative to rotate the component mount; the component mount having a first side oriented to face away from a component, a second side oriented to face the component, and a raised edge extending outwardly from the second side such that the second side and the raised edge define a recess; the recess being shaped to at least partially receive a component mounted to the component mount for coating such that a first portion of the component located outside of the recess is positioned for being coated and a second portion of the component received within the recess is masked from being coated.
An exemplary embodiment of a method for forming a component with a thermal barrier coating comprises: providing a component having a first side and an opposing second side; and using a preformed mask to obstruct coating material from being deposited on the second side of the component while moving the component relative to the vapors such that the vapors form a thermal barrier coating on the first side of the component.
Other systems, methods, features and/or advantages of this disclosure will be or may become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and/or advantages be included within this description and be within the scope of the present disclosure.
Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
Systems and methods for forming components with thermal barrier coatings are provided, several exemplary embodiments of which will be described in detail. In this regard, some embodiments involve the use of component fixtures that can position multiple components at a time during a coating procedure, e.g., electron beam physical vapor deposition (EB-PVD). In some embodiments, the component fixtures are modular to accommodate different numbers of components. Component mounts, which facilitate attachment of components to a fixture, can function as preformed masks that restrict the ability of deposition materials to form coatings on portions of the components. As such, in some embodiments, the fixtures can facilitate selective application of coating materials on multiple components simultaneously.
In this regard, reference is made to the schematic diagram of
System 100 also incorporates a component fixture 108 that includes component mounts 110, 112. Each of the mounts is used to mount a corresponding component for coating. Specifically, mount 110 mounts component 104 and mount 112 mounts component 106.
Each of the component mounts in this embodiment includes a recess that is defined by a surface (which faces the component) and a raised edge that extends outwardly from the surface. By way of example, mount 110 includes surface 114 and raised edge 116 that define recess 120. In
In operation, an electron beam (depicted by arrow A) is directed at target material 103, which is formed of a composition corresponding to the desired coating composition. The electron beam evaporates the target material within the deposition chamber, which is sealed and maintained at relatively low pressure. Target vapor (“evaporant”) fills the chamber and condenses on exposed surfaces of the components 104, 106, which are moved within the chamber by fixture 108. Specifically, in this embodiment, the fixture rotates the components about an axis 123. As such, a coating 124 is formed on a portion of component 104, and a coating 126 is formed on a portion of component 106. Notably, coatings are not formed on corresponding portions of the components that are received within the recesses of the component mounts. Thus, in addition to positioning the components for coating, the component mounts function as preformed masks for selectively masking application of the coating material to the components.
In the embodiment of
A raised edge 180 extends outwardly from a periphery of side 174 to define a recess 182. Thus, when a component is mounted to the component mount, at least a portion of that component is positioned within the recess. So configured, the component mount can function as a preformed mask for preventing coating material from being deposited on that portion of a component positioned within the recess.
Various sizes, shapes, orientations and/or numbers of component mounts can be used in a component fixture. Additionally, various materials can be used. By way of example, steel, nickel and cobalt alloys can be used.
In the embodiment of
A raised edge 220 extends outwardly from a periphery of side 214 to define a recess 222. Thus, when a component is mounted to the component mount, at least a portion of that component is positioned within the recess. So configured, the component mount can function as a preformed mask for preventing coating material from being deposited on that portion of a component positioned within the recess. Notably, side 214 is concave such that the recess extends inwardly toward an axis of rotation of the fixture.
In the embodiment of
A raised edge 260 extends outwardly from a periphery of side 244 to define a recess 262. In contrast to the embodiment of
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely possible examples of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of this disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.
The U.S. Government may have an interest in the subject matter of this disclosure as provided for by the terms of contract number F33657-98-D-0018 awarded by the United States Air Force.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20090324852 A1 | Dec 2009 | US |
