Grounding clip for bonded vanes

Abstract

A grounding clip for an organic matrix composite guide vane with a metallic sheath comprises the organic matrix composite guide vane includes a body having a leading edge and a trailing edge opposite the leading edge and a root end extending between the leading end edge and the trailing edge. The metallic sheath is attached proximate the leading edge and extends to the root end. A metallic attachment fitting has a receiver configured to receive the root end of the organic matrix composite guide vane for coupling the organic matrix composite guide vane to the metallic attachment fitting. The grounding clip is coupled to the sheath proximate the root end; wherein the grounding clip is electrically connected to the metallic attachment fitting and the metallic sheath.

Claims

1. A grounding clip for an organic matrix composite guide vane with a metallic sheath comprising: the organic matrix composite guide vane comprising a body having a leading edge and a trailing edge opposite the leading edge and a root end extending between said leading end edge and said trailing edge; the metallic sheath attached proximate said leading edge and extending to said root end; a metallic attachment fitting having a receiver configured to receive said root end of said organic matrix composite guide vane for coupling said organic matrix composite guide vane to said metallic attachment fitting; and the grounding clip coupled to said sheath proximate said root end; wherein said grounding clip is electrically connected to said metallic attachment fitting and said metallic sheath.

2. The grounding clip according to claim 1, further comprising: an adhesive coupled to said organic matrix composite guide vane proximate said root end and coupled to said metallic attachment fitting, wherein said adhesive is configured to secure said organic matrix composite guide vane to said metallic attachment fitting.

3. The grounding clip according to claim 1, wherein said metallic sheath comprises an indent configured to engage said grounding clip.

4. The grounding clip according to claim 3, wherein said indent is located proximate said root end.

5. The grounding clip according to claim 1, wherein said grounding clip is secured within said receiver.

6. The grounding clip according to claim 1, wherein said grounding clip is interference fit into said receiver and said metallic sheath.

7. The grounding clip according to claim 1, wherein said metallic sheath extends partially into said receiver.

8. The grounding clip according to claim 1, wherein said grounding clip is a flexible material.

9. The grounding clip according to claim 1, wherein said grounding clip comprises a wire.

10. The grounding clip according to claim 1, wherein said grounding clip comprises a flattened metallic ribbon.

11. The grounding clip according to claim 1, wherein said grounding clip comprises a perforated ribbon.

12. The grounding clip according to claim 1, wherein said grounding clip comprises an electrically conductive material.

13. The grounding clip according to claim 2, wherein said adhesive penetrates at least a portion of said grounding clip.

14. A process for electrically coupling an organic matrix composite guide vane metallic sheath to a metallic attachment fitting comprising: attaching a grounding clip to a metallic sheath coupled over a portion of an organic matrix composite guide vane; coupling said organic matrix composite guide vane to a metallic attachment fitting; and electrically coupling said metallic sheath and said metallic attachment fitting through said grounding clip.

15. The process of claim 14, further comprising: coupling said metallic sheath to said organic matrix composite guide vane along a leading edge of said composite guide vane.

16. The process of claim 14, further comprising: coupling said grounding clip to said metallic sheath adjacent a root end of said organic matrix composite guide vane.

17. The process of claim 14, further comprising: coupling an adhesive to said organic matrix composite guide vane proximate a root end and coupling said adhesive to said metallic attachment fitting, wherein said adhesive is configured to secure said organic matrix composite guide vane to said metallic attachment fitting.

18. The process of claim 17, wherein said adhesive flows through a portion of said grounding clip to adhere to said metallic attachment fitting and said metallic sheath.

19. The process of claim 14, wherein said grounding clip is secured within said receiver in the absence of an aerodynamic effect external to said receiver.

20. The process of claim 14, further comprising: engaging said grounding clip within an indent formed in said metallic sheath.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a schematic representation of an exemplary grounding clip attached to an organic matrix composite guide vane with metallic sheath.

(2) FIG. 2 is a cross section of a schematic representation of an exemplary grounding clip attached to an organic matrix composite guide vane with metallic sheath inserted into a metallic attachment fitting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(3) Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an organic matrix composite guide vane 10, such as a compressor vane. The organic matrix composite guide vane 10 has a body portion 12 with a leading edge 14 and a trailing edge 16 opposite the leading edge 14. A root end 18 is located between the leading edge 14 and the trailing edge 16. Surrounding a portion of the organic matrix composite guide vane 10 proximate the leading edge is a metallic sheath 20. In an alternative embodiment, metallic sheath 20 can be located over different portions of the body 12, in addition to the leading edge 14, such as over the trailing edge 16.

(4) A grounding clip or simply clip 22 can be coupled to the metallic sheath 20. The grounding clip 22 can be attached over the exterior 24 of the metallic sheath 20. The grounding clip 22 makes electrical contact with the metallic sheath 20, so that electricity can flow from the metallic sheath 20 through the grounding clip 22. The grounding clip 22 can include an open end 26 configured to receive the organic matrix composite guide vane 10 and metallic sheath 20. The grounding clip 22 can be a flexible material that biases against the metallic sheath 20. The grounding clip 22 can comprise a wire, a flattened metallic ribbon or a perforated ribbon material. The grounding clip 22 comprises an electrically conductive material.

(5) An indent 28 can be formed in the metallic sheath 20. The indent 28 can be configured to receive a portion of the grounding clip 22. The indent 28 can be configured to secure the grounding clip 22 to the metallic sheath and organic matrix composite guide vane 10. The indent 28 can also function to secure the grounding clip 22 and maintain the electrical continuity between the grounding clip 22 and the metallic sheath 20. The indent 28 can be located proximate the root end 18.

(6) A metallic attachment fitting 30 is configured to be coupled to the organic matrix composite guide vane 10. There can be a metallic attachment fitting 30 secured to the root end 18 and another metallic attachment fitting (not shown) attached to the opposite end (not shown). The metallic attachment fitting 30 includes a receiver 32. The receiver 32 is configured as a slot or pocket that encloses the root end 18 of the organic matrix composite guide vane 10. The receiver 32 has an arcuate shape the matches the guide vane 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the organic matrix composite guide vane 10 can include an undercut or cut-back portion 34 proximate the root end 18 to fit within the receiver 32.

(7) An adhesive 36 can be utilized to secure the organic matrix composite guide vane 10 to the metallic attachment fitting 30. The adhesive 36 bonds the root end 18 of the organic matrix composite guide vane 10 inside the receiver 32 of the metallic attachment fitting 30.

(8) In an exemplary embodiment, the grounding clip 22 can be configured so that the adhesive 36 penetrates at least a portion of the grounding clip 22. The adhesive 36 can flow through and around the grounding clip 22, so that the grounding clip 22 does not prevent the adhesive from forming a secure bond between the organic matrix composite guide vane 10 and the metallic attachment fitting 30.

(9) In an exemplary embodiment, the grounding clip 22 can be attached to the metallic sheath 20 and remain within the receiver 32, such that the grounding clip 22 does not interfere with the aerodynamics of the fluid flowing past the organic matrix composite guide vane 10. The grounding clip 22 is contained within the confines of the receiver 32. The grounding clip 22 is secured within the receiver 32 in the absence of an aerodynamic effect external to said receiver 32. The guide vane 10, with the grounding clip 22 in place, is inserted into the metallic attachment fitting 30, such that the grounding clip 22 can deform and bridge between receiver sides 38 of the attachment fitting 30 to the indent 28 in the sheath 20. The grounding clip 22 is interference fit into the receiver 32 and the metallic sheath 20. After the guide vane 10 is bonded into the metallic attachment fitting 30, the grounding clip 22 can make the electrical connection between the guide vane leading edge 14 and the attachment fitting 30, providing the grounding path required by the engine.

(10) An advantage of the grounding clip 22 is that the grounding clip 22 can be designed to be thin and flexible. If a bond quality is required of the adhesive 36, a perforated grounding clip 22 can allow the adhesive 36 to fully encapsulate the grounding clip 22. Thus the grounding clip 22 can allow for the adhesive 36 to flow instead of acting as a barrier.

(11) The grounding clip can snap into place on the leading edge, and can be fully encapsulated within the receiver so as not to produce any external aerodynamic disruption that an external welded jumper could cause.

(12) The exemplary guide vane includes a simplified design that eliminates the need to use a separate grounding cable embedded in the part.

(13) The exemplary disclosed assembly design is simplified because grounding bolts on the inner diameter end of the vane and on the outer diameter end of the vane are no longer required, thus eliminating hardware, weight and cost.

(14) There has been provided a grounding clip for an organic matrix composite guide vane with metallic sheath. While the grounding clip has been described in the context of specific embodiments thereof, other unforeseen alternatives, modifications, and variations may become apparent to those skilled in the art having read the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace those alternatives, modifications, and variations which fall within the broad scope of the appended claims.