System and method for shaping a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) sheet

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10376985-B2
Application number	US-201514974047-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 18, 2015
Priority date	Dec 18, 2015
Publication date	Aug 13, 2019
Grant date	Aug 13, 2019

Abstract

A method for shaping a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) sheet having a first surface and a second surface is presented. The method includes receiving an input signal representative of a predetermined shape and a type of the CMC sheet. Further, the method includes selecting a laser beam based on the received input signal. Also, the method includes projecting the selected laser beam on the CMC sheet to shape the CMC sheet into the predetermined shape.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A system for shaping a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) sheet in a predetermined shape, the system comprising:
a base plate configured to support the CMC sheet having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the base plate is coupled to the second surface of the CMC sheet;
a laser device comprising:
a user interface configured to receive an input signal representative of a predetermined shape and a type of the CMC sheet;
a processor coupled to the user interface and configured to select a laser beam based on the received input signal;
a beam generating unit coupled to the processor and configured to project the selected laser beam on the first surface of the CMC sheet to shape the CMC sheet in the predetermined shape; and
a fire retardant structure positioned between the base plate and the CMC sheet and configured to minimize cut damage at the second surface of the CMC sheet; and
wherein the fire retardant structure comprises at least one of an aluminum (Al) honey comb structure and a honey comb structure configured to absorb heat generated by the laser beam.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a polymer film disposed on at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the CMC sheet and configured to avoid contamination of the CMC sheet.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the base plate comprises at least one of an exhaust chamber and a vacuum chamber to collect particles or fumes generated from the CMC sheet.

Assignees

• Gen Electric

Inventors

• Chen Hongqiang
• Hayashi Steven Robert
• Lee Martin Kin-Fei
• Garg Nitin
• Cousineau Nolan Leander
• Knotts Derrick Wayne

Classifications

• B23K26/0626 Primary

  Energy control of the laser beam (B23K26/0622 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B23K2103/52

  Ceramics · CPC title

• B23K26/0624 Primary

  using ultrashort pulses, i.e. pulses of 1 ns or less · CPC title

• B23K26/38

  by boring or cutting · CPC title

• B23K2103/16

  Composite materials · CPC title