Turbine Engine Repair Methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016017712-A1
Application number	US-201314773441-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 2, 2013
Priority date	Mar 15, 2013
Publication date	Jan 21, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A method for patching a damaged polymeric erosion coating ( 250 ) on a gas turbine engine component. The method comprises removing a portion of the coating around a damage site ( 200; 202; 204 ) and applying a pre-formed coating patch ( 220 ).

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method for patching a damaged polymeric erosion coating ( 250 ) on a gas turbine engine component, the method comprising:
removing a portion of the coating around a damage site ( 200 ; 202 ; 204 ); and applying a pre-formed coating patch ( 220 ).

2 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:
priming the component.

3 . The method of claim 2 wherein:
the priming is with a silane primer.

4 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:
applying a vacuum to the patch.

5 . The method of claim 4 wherein:
the vacuum is applied via a vacuum blanket ( 260 ).

6 . The method of claim 4 further comprising:
heating the patch while the vacuum is applied.

7 . The method of claim 6 wherein:
the heating is an internal heating via an anti-icing system ( 280 ).

8 . The method of claim 1 wherein:
the method is performed in situ with the engine on an aircraft.

9 . The method of claim 1 wherein:
the patch comprises:
a molded cured silicone body ( 222 );
a silane primer ( 224 ) on an underside of the body;
a silicone adhesive ( 226 ) on the primer; and
a release strip ( 228 ) on the adhesive, the method comprising removing the release strip before applying the patch.

10 . The method of claim 1 wherein:
the damage site is along a fan inlet strut ( 206 ) or fan exit strut ( 29 ).

11 . The method of claim 1 wherein:
the damage site has a polymer matrix composite substrate ( 240 ).

12 . A patch ( 220 ) comprising:
a molded cured silicone body ( 227 ); a silane primer ( 224 ) on an underside of the body; a silicone adhesive on the primer ( 226 ); and a release strip on the adhesive ( 228 ).

13 . The patch of claim 12 wherein:
the adhesive is a peroxide-cured silicone.

14 . A method for manufacturing the patch of claim 12 , the method comprising:
molding and curing the body; preparing the underside by mechanical abrasion or plasma treating; applying the primer to the underside after the preparing; and applying the adhesive to the primer.

Assignees

• United Technologies Corp

Inventors

• Vontell Sr John H
• Watson Charles R

Classifications

• F05D2300/222

  Silicon · CPC title

• F05D2230/23

  by permanently joining parts together · CPC title

• F05D2230/10

  by removing material · CPC title

• F05D2220/32

  in gas turbines · CPC title

• F01D5/288

  Protective coatings for blades · CPC title