Ceramic matrix composite components

Abstract

A CMC component has an integral airfoil and root portion formed by a plurality of plies extending in a spanwise direction and an external feature formed by a plurality of bent plies.

1 . A CMC component comprises an integral airfoil and root portion having a core formed by a plurality of plies extending in a spanwise direction and an external feature formed by a plurality of plies bent with respect to said spanwise direction. 
     
     
         2 . The CMC component according to  claim 1 , wherein said bent plies are attached to an exterior portion of said component and form a platform. 
     
     
         3 . The CMC component according to  claim 2 , wherein said bent plies each have a first portion which extends from the root portion to a mid span portion of said airfoil and a bent portion at an angle to said first portion. 
     
     
         4 . The CMC component according to  claim 2 , wherein said bent plies each have a first portion which extends along the root portion and a bent portion at an angle to said first portion which form a platform adjacent said root portion. 
     
     
         5 . The CMC component according to  claim 1 , wherein said bent plies comprises extensions of at least some of said plies forming said integral airfoil and root portion, said extensions extending beyond a tip portion of said airfoil portion, and wherein said external feature comprises a tip shroud formed by said extensions. 
     
     
         6 . The CMC component according to  claim 5 , wherein said tip shroud is formed by a bent portion of said extensions and said bent portion is bent at an angle to said spanwise direction. 
     
     
         7 . The CMC component according to  claim 6 , wherein a first number of said extensions are bent in a first direction and a second number of said extensions are bent in a second direction opposed to said first direction. 
     
     
         8 . The CMC component according to  claim 7 , wherein said first number of said extensions have a first tip portion which are at an angle with respect to said first direction and said second number of said extensions have a second tip portion which are at an angle with respect to said second direction. 
     
     
         9 . The CMC component according to  claim 6 , wherein said first number of said extensions includes a plurality of extensions having a bent tip portion extending in a third direction and a plurality of extensions having a bent tip portion extending in a fourth direction opposed to the third direction forming a split end shroud. 
     
     
         10 . The CMC component according to  claim 9 , wherein said second number of said extensions includes a plurality of extensions having a bent tip portion extending in said third direction and a plurality of extensions having a bent tip portion extending in said fourth direction opposed to the third direction forming said split end shroud. 
     
     
         11 . The CMC component according to  claim 5 , further comprising a plurality of plies positioned on said extensions. 
     
     
         12 . The CMC component of  claim 11 , wherein said plurality of plies are attached to said extensions by one of stitching and Z-pinning. 
     
     
         13 . The CMC component of  claim 1 , wherein said component is a turbine blade. 
     
     
         14 . The CMC component of  claim 1 , wherein said component is a vane.