BIOMIMETIC CELLULAR STRUCTURES FOR TURBINE SYSTEM COMPONENTS

Abstract

The research aim is to investigate cellular structures inspired from nature, in order to improve the internal structural resistance of turbine system components (e.g. hydroelectric and gas turbine blades, OGV-Outer Guide Vanes, nacelles, gearboxes) with reduced mass. The investigations were conducted at laboratory level, utilizing two 3D printing technologies to acquire the desired cellular structures which were further tested for tensile, bending and impact resistance. The first selected technology was Fused Deposition Modelling with Continuous Filament Fabrication to obtain 3D printed parts, which can be reinforced with continuous carbon, glass, or Kevlar fibers. The second technology used is Digital Light Processing 3D printing, which uses photopolymer liquid resin that cures under digital light source. The main motivation of utilizing the 3D printing technologies is the desire of implementing rapid prototyping in the final manufacturing of the turbine system components with structural topological optimization and improved structural and dynamic efficiency through biomimetic inspired structures. Conventional polymeric composite manufacturing technologies are sometimes restrictive in the geometries they can produce, and there is a chance that additive manufacturing can step in and help create internal structures that could not be obtained through conventional manufacturing methods. New developed structural architectures could be manufactured for a specific application through 3D printing which allows for a high level of customization parameters, including the possibility to use continuous carbon, glass and Kevlar fiber to create the geometrical pattern. All these, combined with conventional composite manufacturing technologies, could lead to obtain better end results.