United Technologies Corporation

Jeffrey S LeShane

Charles R Watson

Robert F Kasprow

Phyllis L Kurz

Christopher J Hertel

Carl S Richardson

Dennis R Tremblay

Michael E McMahon

Kostas Routsis

David A Varsik

Brian Selfors

A stator assembly having an inner shroud assembly formed of an inner shroud and rubstrip is disclosed. Various construction details and features are developed which relate to durability and manufacturing feasibility are developed. In one detailed embodiment, at the rubstrip is bonded to the thermoplastic shroud. The method is applicable to joining an elastomer, such as silicone rubber material, to a thermoplastic substrate.

Stator assembly for a rotary machine and method for making the stator assembly

The present invention relates to a seal interposed between platforms of blades for a fan in an axial gas turbine engine. Modern impact resistant fan blades have larger interplatform gaps. As a result, the interplatform seals have to seal a large gap. The seal is stiffened such that it can withstand centrifugal forces due to fan operation. In addition, various construction details are developed for the stiffened seal.

Fan blade interplatform seal

The present invention relates to a seal interposed between platforms of blades for a fan in an axial gas turbine engine. Modern impact resistant fan blades have larger interplatform gaps. As a result, the interplatform seals have to seal a large gap. The seal is stiffened such that it can withstand centrifugal forces due to fan operation. In addition, various construction derails are developed for the stiffened seal.

Stator vanes (22) are potted within pockets (38) in composite inner shroud sections (36). The pocket depth is only that required for bond strength and vane damping. Ribs (48) extend inwardly and are adhesively bonded to the seal support ring (32,34) which carries abradable seal surface.

Compressor stator assembly

A substantially microcrack- and blister-free composite can be made by drying an addition-type polyimide molding compound under suitable conditions to remove excess moisture. The molding compound includes a mixture of a polyimide resin and a plurality of carbon reinforcing fibers less than 3 mm long. The molding compound is placed into a heated material reservoir and transferred to a heated molding tool with a heated transfer ram. The ram establishes a molding pressure in a mold cavity in the molding tool sufficient to cure the molding compound into the desired composite. The molding compound is transferred to the mold cavity such that the molding compound is heated to a molding temperature at a rate of at least about 85.degree. C./min. The molding pressure and temperature are maintained in the mold cavity for a time sufficient to cure the molding compound into the desired composite. The composite is cooled and then heated to a suitable post-cure temperature at a rate sufficient to permit residual volatiles in the composite to diffuse out of the composite. The composite is held at the post-cure temperature for a sufficient time and then cooled. The invention also includes an article made by this method and a vented molding tool used in the method.

Carbon fiber reinforced polyimide composites

A composite article includes a compressively stressed plating which provides increased static strength and fatigue life. In particular, a fan exit guide vane (1), made of a graphite fiber reinforced composite material and including a conductive plating (7), achieves a 380% increase in static load capability over an unplated composite vane and a low cycle fatigue life of over 1 million cycles through the application of a compressively stressed nickel plating (8) which produces a residual compressive stress state of between -5,000 and -15,000 psi.

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Glastonbury, CT, United States of America

Jeffrey S LeShane