US 12,240,144 B2
Method for CMC airfoil using core tube of rigidized ceramic fabric
Christian X. Campbell, West Hartford, CT (US); and Robert A. White, III, Meriden, CT (US)
Assigned to RTX CORPORATION, Farmington, CT (US)
Filed by RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, Farmington, CT (US)
Filed on Apr. 14, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/300,863.
Prior Publication US 2024/0342954 A1, Oct. 17, 2024
Int. Cl. B28B 21/48 (2006.01); B28B 21/86 (2006.01); B28B 21/92 (2006.01); F01D 5/28 (2006.01)
CPC B28B 21/48 (2013.01) [B28B 21/86 (2013.01); B28B 21/925 (2013.01); F01D 5/282 (2013.01); F01D 5/284 (2013.01); F05D 2300/6033 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for fabricating an airfoil, the method comprising:
providing an airfoil core tube that has a cavity and that is made of a fabric that is at least partially densified with a ceramic matrix to provide a rigidized ceramic fabric;
using the airfoil core tube as a surrogate mandrel, without a direct mandrel in the cavity, by braiding a plurality of ceramic fiber tows around the airfoil core tube to form one or more braided layers, the airfoil core tube and the one or more braided layers forming, at least in part, an airfoil preform; and
densifying the airfoil preform with a ceramic matrix material to thereby form a ceramic matrix composite airfoil.