Turbomachine component damping structure and method of damping vibration of a turbomachine component

Abstract

A turbomachine component includes a main body having a surface, and a damping structure mounted to the surface of the main body. The damping structure is formed from a material having a temperature dependent damping characteristic.

1 . A turbomachine component comprising:
 a main body having a surface; and   a damping structure mounted to the surface of the main body, the damping structure formed from a material having a temperature dependent damping characteristic.   
   
   
       2 . The turbomachine component according to  claim 1 , wherein the damping structure includes a first damping characteristic at a first temperature and a second damping characteristic at a second temperature, the second temperature being distinct from the first temperature. 
   
   
       3 . The turbomachine component according to  claim 2 , wherein the damping structure includes a damping transition temperature, the damping transition temperature being between the first and second temperatures. 
   
   
       4 . The turbomachine component according to  claim 3 , wherein the damping transition temperature is in a range between about 800° F. (426.6° C.) to about 1400° F. (760° C.). 
   
   
       5 . The turbomachine component according to  claim 4 , wherein the damping transition temperature is about 900° F. (482.2° C.). 
   
   
       6 . The turbomachine component according to  claim 1 , wherein the damping structure comprises stainless steel. 
   
   
       7 . The turbomachine component according to  claim 1 , wherein the turbomachine component includes at least one turbine bucket, the damping structure being mounted to a surface of the at least one turbine bucket. 
   
   
       8 . The turbomachine component according to  claim 1 , wherein the damping structure is mounted to a portion of the surface of the at least one turbine bucket. 
   
   
       9 . The turbomachine component according to  claim 1 , wherein the damping structure is mounted to the surface of the turbomachine component by one of welding, brazing and plasma spraying. 
   
   
       10 . A method of damping vibration of a turbomachine component, the method comprising:
 mounting a damping structure to a surface of the turbomachine component, the damping structure formed from a material having a temperature dependent damping characteristic.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the damping structure is mounted to the surface of the turbomachine component by one of welding, brazing and plasma spraying. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising: damping vibration at a first level when the turbomachine component is at a first temperature, and damping vibration at a second level when the turbomachine component is at a second temperature, the second temperature being distinct from the first temperature. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein damping the vibration at the first level occurs when the turbomachine component in a range between about 800° F. (426.6° C.) to about 900° F. (482.2° C.). 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein damping the vibration at the second level occurs when the turbomachine component in a range between about 900° F. (482.2° C.) to about 1400° F. (760° C.). 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein mounting the damping structure to the surface of the turbomachine component comprises mounting the damping structure to a turbomachine bucket. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein mounting the damping structure to a surface of the turbomachine component comprises mounting a material including stainless steel to the surface of the turbomachine component.