Method of fabricating a shape memory alloy damped structure
View Patent ↗A damped blade is provided that includes a blade structural member defining at least one coolant channel and a liner formed of a shape memory alloy extending at least partially along the at least one coolant channel defined by the blade structural member. The shape memory alloy that forms the liner is maintained generally at its transition temperature by means of coolant circulated through the coolant channel. The shape memory alloy that forms the liner will resist the onset of vibrations within the blade, thereby effectively damping blade vibrations. A method of fabricating a damped blade is also provided.
1. A method of fabricating a blade comprising:
positioning a liner formed of a shape memory alloy (SMA) within a mold;
filling the mold with an at least partially molten blade material having a lower melting temperature than the shape memory alloy such that the blade material at least partially surrounds the liner;
permitting the blade material to at least partially solidify; and
removing the mold to thereby produce the blade having the liner at least partially embedded therein.
2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising filling the liner with a liquid that boils at a lower temperature than the melting temperature of the blade material prior to filling the mold with the at least partially molten blade material.
3. A method according to claim 2 wherein filling the liner with a liquid comprises filling the mold with water.
4. A method according to claim 1 wherein filling the mold with an at least partially molten blade material comprises filling the mold with molten aluminum.
5. A method according to claim 1 wherein positioning the liner comprising positioning a liner formed of a shape memory alloy with a transition temperature up to 1420 degrees C.
6. A method according to claim 1 wherein positioning the liner comprises positioning a liner formed of a shape memory alloy including ruthenium within the mold.