Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 13/512,991 filed on May 31, 2012 which is the US National Stage of International Application No. PCT/EP2009/066343, filed Dec. 3, 2009 and claims the benefit thereof. All of the applications are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a shipment packaging for elongate components, in particular turbine blades or vanes. 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0003]    Elongate components such as turbine blades or vanes are sent incorporated together with the rotor of the turbine. 
         [0004]    During retrofitting, turbine blades or vanes are refurbished and sent back again to technical installations throughout the world. These may also be new turbine blades or vanes which replace old ones, or refurbished turbine blades or vanes. 
         [0005]    The turbine blades or vanes have protective layers which should not be damaged during transportation. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0006]    Therefore, it is an object of the invention to solve the aforementioned problem. 
         [0007]    The object is achieved by a shipment packaging as claimed in the claims. 
         [0008]    The advantage consists in the flexibility of the reception of various types of components. 
         [0009]    The dependent claims list further advantageous measures which can be combined with one another, as desired, in order to obtain further advantages. 
         [0010]    The shipment packaging as claimed in the claims can be improved in each case alone or in any desired combination by: 
         [0011]    a shipment packaging, 
         [0012]    wherein the turbine components ( 120 ,  130 ) are held, 
         [0013]    in particular fixed, 
         [0014]    standing in the plug-in divider ( 13 ′,  13 ″,  13 ′″), 
         [0015]    a shipment packaging, 
         [0016]    wherein the turbine components ( 120 ,  130 ) are held, 
         [0017]    in particular fixed, 
         [0018]    hanging in the plug-in divider ( 13 ′,  13 ″,  13 ′″), 
         [0019]    a shipment packaging, 
         [0020]    wherein the turbine components ( 120 ,  130 ) are held, 
         [0021]    in particular fixed, 
         [0022]    lying in the plug-in divider ( 13 ′,  13 ″,  13 ″′), 
         [0023]    a shipment packaging, 
         [0024]    wherein the plug-in divider ( 13 ′,  13 ″,  13 ″′) comprises PP trilaminate, 
         [0025]    in particular consists thereof, 
         [0026]    a shipment packaging, 
         [0027]    wherein a plurality of inner packagings ( 10 ′,  10 ″,  10 ″′) are present in layers in the 
         [0028]    internal space ( 7 ) of the container ( 5 ), 
         [0029]    a shipment packaging, 
         [0030]    wherein two turbine components ( 120 ,  130 ), 
         [0031]    in particular only two components ( 120 ,  130 ), 
         [0032]    are arranged in a compartment ( 25 ′,  25 ″) of the plug-in divider ( 13 ′,  13 ″,  13 ″′), 
         [0033]    a shipment packaging, 
         [0034]    wherein only one turbine component ( 120 ,  130 ) is arranged in a compartment ( 25 ′,  25 ″) 
         [0035]    of the plug-in divider ( 13 ,  28 ), 
         [0036]    a shipment packaging, 
         [0037]    wherein the plug-in divider ( 13 ′,  13 ″,  13 ′″) comprises a plurality of compartments ( 25 ′,  25 ″), and 
         [0038]    wherein a receptacle ( 19 ,  22 ,  22 ″) for holding the turbine component ( 120 ,  130 ) is 
         [0039]    present in a compartment ( 25 ′,  25 ″) of the plug-in divider ( 13 ), 
         [0040]    preferably at least one separate receptacle ( 19 ,  22 ,  22 ″,  50 ), 
         [0041]    which preferably consists of a foam, 
         [0042]    very preferably of a PE foam, 
         [0043]    a shipment packaging, 
         [0044]    wherein the receptacle ( 19 ,  22 ′,  22 ″,  41 ,  44 ,  50 ) can receive only one turbine component ( 120 ,  130 ), 
         [0045]    a shipment packaging, 
         [0046]    wherein the receptacle ( 19 ,  22 ,  22 ″,  41 ,  44 ,  50 ) can receive two turbine components ( 120 ,  130 ), 
         [0047]    a shipment packaging, 
         [0048]    wherein a receptacle ( 19 ,  22 ,  34 ,  41 ,  44 ,  50 ) can receive only identical turbine blades or vanes ( 120 ,  130 ), 
         [0049]    a shipment packaging, 
         [0050]    wherein various receptacles ( 19 ,  22 ,  34 ,  41 ,  44 ,  50 ) are present in the compartments ( 25 ′,  25 ″, . . . ) of a plug-in divider ( 13 ′,  13 ″,  13 ′″), 
         [0051]    a shipment packaging, 
         [0052]    which comprises a contoured plate ( 37 ), 
         [0053]    a shipment packaging, 
         [0054]    which comprises a protective cover ( 18 ), 
         [0055]    a shipment packaging, 
         [0056]    which comprises a suspending contoured plate ( 31 ) in each layer, 
         [0057]    a shipment packaging, 
         [0058]    wherein there is no contoured plate in each layer, 
         [0059]    a shipment packaging, 
         [0060]    wherein a plug-in divider cover ( 16 ) is present in each layer, 
         [0061]    a shipment packaging, 
         [0062]    wherein the contoured plate ( 37 ) comprises at least one opening ( 38 ), 
         [0063]    through which the turbine component ( 120 ,  130 ), 
         [0064]    in particular a turbine rotor blade ( 120 ), is inserted and held, 
         [0065]    a shipment packaging, 
         [0066]    wherein the contoured plate ( 37 ) comprises an opening ( 38 ), 
         [0067]    which encloses a platform of a guide vane ( 130 ) in order to fix it, 
         [0068]    a shipment packaging, 
         [0069]    which comprises a plug-in divider cover ( 16 ), 
         [0070]    which comprises means ( 17 ) for fixing the turbine component ( 120 ,  130 ) in each compartment ( 25 ′,  25 ″), 
         [0071]    a shipment packaging, 
         [0072]    wherein the fixing means ( 17 ) represent corrugated foams, which preferably have a groove-like form, 
         [0073]    a shipment packaging, 
         [0074]    which comprises an upper receptacle ( 53 ) and a lower receptacle ( 50 ), 
         [0075]    preferably consisting of a foam, in a compartment ( 25 ′,  25 ″, . . . ), 
         [0076]    a shipment packaging, 
         [0077]    which comprises two lateral receptacles ( 41 ,  44 ) in a compartment ( 25 ′,  25 ″, . . .) of the plug-in divider ( 13 ), 
         [0078]    a shipment apparatus, 
         [0079]    which, at the base of a plug-in divider ( 13 ′,  13 ″, . . . ), comprises a receptacle ( 22 ″″′) for the end of a turbine blade or vane ( 120 ,  130 ), 
         [0080]    a shipment packaging, 
         [0081]    wherein the receptacle ( 19 ) has a negative form of a region of the component ( 120 ,  130 ), 
         [0082]    a shipment packaging, 
         [0083]    wherein at most two components ( 120 ,  130 ) are arranged in each compartment ( 25 ′,  25 ″), 
         [0084]    a shipment packaging, 
         [0085]    which comprises an insert ( 49 ), 
         [0086]    which directly faces the outer cover, 
         [0087]    and comprises blocks ( 47 ′,  47 ″) for the transmission of force from the cover to the plug-in divider ( 13 ′,  13 ″, . . . ), 
         [0088]    a shipment apparatus, 
         [0089]    which additionally comprises a reinforcement ( 60 ) for the plug-in divider ( 13 ′,  13 ″, . . . ), 
         [0090]    a shipment packaging, 
         [0091]    wherein the plug-in divider cover ( 16 ) comprises a plurality of means ( 17 ) for fixing, 
         [0092]    which ( 17 ) are formed in a manner corresponding to the cross section of a compartment ( 25 ′,  25 ″, . . .), 
         [0093]    in particular comprises such means ( 17 ) in each compartment ( 25 ′,  25 ″, . . . ), 
         [0094]    and/or by 
         [0095]    a shipment packaging, 
         [0096]    the parts of which that come into contact with the components ( 120 ,  130 ), such as the plug-in divider ( 13 ′,  13 ″, . . . ) and blade or vane receptacle ( 22 ,  22 ′,  22 ″, . . . ), are produced from a material 
         [0097]    which cannot damage the component ( 120 ,  130 ), 
         [0098]    in particular PP trilaminate, PE foam. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0099]    In the figures: 
           [0100]      FIGS. 1-11  show elements of a shipment packaging, 
           [0101]      FIG. 12  shows a turbine blade or vane. 
       
    
    
       [0102]    The description and the drawing represent only exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
       [0103]    The elongate components can be ring segments or combustion chamber components of gas turbines or preferably turbine blades or vanes  120 ,  130 , in respect of which the invention is only explained in more detail by way of example. 
         [0104]    The blades or vanes  120 ,  130  which are packaged and sent can be blades or vanes of gas turbines, steam turbines or aircraft turbines. 
         [0105]    Similarly, the shipment packaging  1  is suitable for transportation within a plant or between suppliers and the plant. 
         [0106]    The blades or vanes  120 ,  130  can be guide vanes or rotor blades from the first, second, third or fourth row of turbines or from all rows of a turbine. 
         [0107]    In this case, a distinction is made between rotor blades and guide vanes, with the guide vanes  130  generally comprising an upper and a lower platform. The rotor blades  120  often comprise only a lower platform  403 , however. 
         [0108]      FIG. 1  shows an outer packaging  4  of a shipment packaging  1 . 
         [0109]    The outer packaging  4  preferably consists of HDPE and preferably comprises runners  6 , in particular three runners  6 , on the outside on the base. Base means bottom. 
         [0110]    For identifying the shipment unit, the outer packaging  4  preferably likewise comprises a self-adhesive document pocket on the outside. 
         [0111]    For the shipment packaging, there is an outer cover (not shown), which suitably covers the outer packaging  4  at the top. Outer cover means top. 
         [0112]    The shipment packaging  1  preferably has a flame-retardant design. 
         [0113]    At least one inner packaging  10 ′,  10 ″,  10 ″′, . . . , which is shown in  FIG. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11 , reaches into the internal space  7  of the outer packaging  4 . 
         [0114]    It is preferable that the inner packaging  10 ′,  10 ″,  10 ′″, . . . can be inserted into the outer packaging  4  in a plurality of layers, as shown in  FIGS. 2-11 . 
         [0115]      FIG. 2  shows a first exemplary embodiment of an inner packaging  10 ′, preferably for relatively small (first/second row of the turbine) turbine blades or vanes  120 ,  130 . 
         [0116]    The turbine components  120 ,  130  are arranged individually or as a pair in a compartment  25 ′,  25 ″, . . . of a plug-in divider  13 ′ (grid divider), but always in such a way that the components  120 ,  130  do not touch one another. 
         [0117]    The plug-in dividers  13 ′,  13 ″,  13 ″′ preferably consist of PP trilaminate. 
         [0118]    There are preferably no more than two components  120 ,  130  in each compartment  25 ′,  25 ″. 
         [0119]    The blades or vanes  120 ,  130  are held, preferably fixed, standing in the compartment  25 ′,  25 ″ . . . . 
         [0120]    At the base, the compartments  25 ′,  25 ″ preferably each comprise a receptacle  19 ,  22 , into which the turbine component  120 ,  130  is introduced. The receptacle  19 ,  22  ( FIGS. 2-11 ) preferably has the same cross section as the compartments  25 ′,  25 ″ in  FIGS. 2-11 . 
         [0121]    The receptacles  19 ,  22  ( FIGS. 4, 6, 8 ) are preferably separate modules of the inner packaging  10 ′,  10 ″, . . . . 
         [0122]    In this example, the blades or vanes  120 ,  130  are fixed standing in a compartment  25 ′,  25 ″ by the receptacle  19 ,  22 . 
         [0123]    In each compartment  25 ′,  25 ″, there is preferably a receptacle  19  for turbine blades or vanes of the same type. However, various receptacles  19 ,  22  for various turbine blades or vanes  120 ,  130  may be present in a plug-in divider  13 ′. 
         [0124]    A receptacle  19 ,  22  can receive two blades or vanes  120 ,  130 , but can also be equipped only with one blade or vane  120 ,  130  ( FIG. 4 ), even if the receptacle  19 ,  22  could receive two blades or vanes  120 ,  130  ( FIG. 6 ). 
         [0125]    The receptacle  19 ,  22  ( FIGS. 4, 6, 8 ) preferably consists of a plastics foam, preferably PE foam. This blade or vane receptacle  19 ,  22  can receive one or two blades or vanes  120 ,  130 . 
         [0126]    In the case of a rotor blade  120 , the blade receptacle  19  has a depression  19 ′, which can preferably be formed in accordance with the blade root  400 , preferably like a fir tree, and can preferably be pushed from the side into the blade receptacle  19 . The blade receptacle  19  thus has a lateral opening  19 ″ and an upper opening  19 ″′. 
         [0127]    The blade receptacle  19  ( FIGS. 4, 6, 8 ) preferably represents a negative of a region (blade root  400 ) of the turbine component  120 ,  130 . 
         [0128]    The turbine component  120  (or a plurality thereof) is preferably firstly inserted into the receptacle  19  and then introduced together therewith into the compartment  25 ′,  25 ″ of the plug-in divider  13 ′. 
         [0129]    In the case of guide vanes  130  having two platforms, the guide vane  130  is placed from above into an opening  22 ′ in the vane receptacle  22 . The vane receptacle  22  thus preferably has only an upper opening  22 ′. 
         [0130]    The blade or vane platforms  403  are preferably arranged within the receptacle  19 ,  22 , i.e. the components  120 ,  130  do not protrude beyond the receptacles  19 ,  22 . A plug-in divider cover  16  is preferably placed on the plug-in divider  13 ′ and preferably additionally fixes the turbine blade or vane  120 ,  130 . The plug-in divider cover  16  is preferably only a plate. The fixing means  17  are preferably provided by a layer of a foam (see also  FIGS. 6, 10 ) on the underside of the plug-in divider cover  16 , which pushes into the end of the turbine blade or vane  120 ,  130 . 
         [0131]      FIG. 5  shows a plan view of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0132]    The inner packaging  10 ′ therefore comprises at least: a plug-in divider  13 ′, receptacles  19 ,  22  and various covers ( FIGS. 3, 4, 8 ), here plug-in divider covers  16 . 
         [0133]      FIG. 10  shows a plan view of an underside of the plug-in divider cover  16 . 
         [0134]    The fixing means  17  are formed by a plurality of cuboids or cubes  17 ′,  17 ″, which fit exactly into a compartment  25 ′,  25 ″,  25 ″′. Therefore, the plug-in divider cover  16  is preferably supported directly on the plug-in divider  13 ′,  13 ″,  13 ″′, and the fixing means  17 ′,  17 ″, . . . protrude into the compartments  25 ′,  25 ″, . . . . 
         [0135]      FIG. 3  shows a further inner packaging  10 ″ according to the invention, this being used with preference for relatively long turbine blades or vanes having only one platform, in particular for rotor blades  120 . 
         [0136]    In the plane, the plug-in divider  13 ″ likewise fills the internal space  7  of the outer packaging. 
         [0137]    The rotor blade  120  is fixed so as to hang; it is preferably fixed by means of a suspending contoured plate  31 . The suspending contoured plate  31  comprises an opening  32 , through which the blade  120  is inserted first by way of the blade tip  415 . 
         [0138]    The suspending contoured plate  31  is preferably made in one piece and is preferably supported on the plug-in divider  13 ″, or is fixedly connected to the plug-in divider  13 ″. 
         [0139]    The blade  120  is inserted through the suspending contoured plate  31  into the compartment  25 ′ of the plug-in divider  13 ″, the platform  403  being supported on the suspending contoured plate  31  or at least protruding beyond the latter  31 . 
         [0140]    The blade roots  400  protrude out of the contoured plate  31  and can be covered by a protective cover  18 , onto which a further plug-in divider can be placed. 
         [0141]    The protective cover  18  preferably does not comprise any fixing means. 
         [0142]    Since the main blade or vane part  406  of the turbine blade or vane  120 ,  130  is twisted, the opening  32  in the suspending contoured plate  31  is accordingly wider than the cross section of the main blade or vane part  406 , such that, upon insertion of the blade  120 , it guides the main blade part  406  into a defined end position, and holds it there. 
         [0143]    A receptacle  22 ″″′, which fixes the end of the turbine blade  120 , is preferably present at the end of the compartment  25 ′. The receptacle  22 ″″′ is preferably foam-like. 
         [0144]      FIG. 4  shows a further inner packaging  10 ″′ according to the invention, in particular for long guide vanes  130  having two platforms. 
         [0145]    The guide vanes  130  are fixed standing within a plug-in divider  13 ″′. 
         [0146]    At the base of the compartment  25 ′, there is likewise a receptacle  22 ″, preferably made of a foam, into which the guide vane  130  is inserted from above. The receptacle  22 ″ comprises only an upper opening  22 ″′. 
         [0147]    A contoured plate  37  is then placed onto the plug-in divider  13 ″′. 
         [0148]    The contoured plate  37  preferably comprises at least one opening  39 , which encloses the upper platform of the turbine blade  120  and thereby stabilizes the other end of the turbine vane  130  at the top. 
         [0149]    Here, a protective cover (as in  FIG. 3 ) can likewise also be used. 
         [0150]      FIG. 6  is a detailed illustration of  FIG. 2 , with the foam  17  which serves for fixing the component  120 ,  130 . The fixing means  17  are a groove-like or wavy arrangement made of a foam. This is preferably a PE foam which has a corrugated structure. 
         [0151]    The turbine components  120 ,  130  are arranged individually or as a pair in a compartment  25 ′,  25 ″ of the plug-in divider  13 ′,  13 ″, but always in such a way that the components do not touch one another. 
         [0152]      FIG. 7  is a detailed illustration of a rotor blade  130  in a compartment  25 ′ of a plug-in divider  13 ″′. 
         [0153]    The main rotor blade part  406  stands vertically in the compartment  25 ′, i.e. the receptacle  50  is adapted accordingly and has an obliquely running surface. Vertical means: the longitudinal axis of the turbine blade  130  stands vertically on the base in the plug-in divider  13 ″′. 
         [0154]    Lying means that the longitudinal axis runs parallel to the base of the plug-in divider ( FIG. 8 ). 
         [0155]    A lower receptacle  50  and an upper receptacle  53  are present in the compartment  25 ′ and encompass the turbine part  120  at the ends thereof, here the platforms  403 . 
         [0156]    The receptacle  53  is effectively a specially preformed fixing means  17 ′,  17 ″, . . . as per  FIG. 6 . 
         [0157]    Here, it is likewise possible for a plug-in divider cover  16  to be used. 
         [0158]    The receptacles  50 ,  53  can be in the form of separate modules of the inner packaging  10 ′,  10 ″, . . . , or else can be arranged fixedly in the compartment  25 ′ or fastened to the plug-in divider cover  16  ( 53  on  16 ). 
         [0159]    In  FIG. 8 , there are two receptacles  41 ,  44 , which are arranged laterally alongside one another in a compartment  25 ′ of the plug-in divider  13 ′. 
         [0160]    To this end, two lateral receptacles  41 ,  44  are present. 
         [0161]    The lateral receptacles  41 ,  44  must not touch one another in the compartment  25 ′,  25 ″, . . . . 
         [0162]    In a single plug-in divider  13 ′, . . . , components  120 ,  130  can be arranged lying ( FIG. 8 ) and standing (e.g.  FIG. 7 ). 
         [0163]    The shipment packaging  1  can comprise a plurality of layers of plug-in dividers  13 ′,  13 ″,  13 ″′ with a plug-in divider cover  16 , a protective cover  18  or contoured plates  31 . 
         [0164]    Similarly, by virtue of separated blocks  47 ′,  47 ″ on the side of an insert  49  which directly faces the outer cover, the pressure of the outer cover can preferably be passed onto the plug-in dividers  13 ′,  13 ″, . . . , so that the latter cannot move. The insert  49  is preferably used only once at the very top. 
         [0165]    The outer cover is preferably tied to the outer packaging  4  by straps. 
         [0166]    Technical documents and accompanying papers can be shipped at the same time between the blocks  47 ′,  47 ″, the blocks  47 ′,  47 ″ being arranged in such a way that they delimit an area for the documents and hold the documents in the plane. 
         [0167]    The plug-in dividers  13 ′,  13 ″ are known in terms of structure and assembly from the prior art. 
         [0168]    The extent of the plug-in dividers  13 ′,  13 ″, . . . in the plane is such that it fits flush into the internal space  7  of the outer packaging  4 . 
         [0169]      FIG. 11  shows a further configuration of the invention. 
         [0170]    Here, use is made of reinforcements  60  for the plug-in dividers  13 ′,  13 ″, . . . of the plug-in dividers  13 ′,  13 ″, . . . already described above. 
         [0171]    The reinforcements  60  preferably extend over the entire width or depth of the plug-in divider  13 ′ and, like the elements of the plug-in divider  13 ′, similarly have a plate-like form, but are not so high, so that they extend over the entire depth of the plug-in divider  13 ′. 
         [0172]    The reinforcements  60  have appropriate indentations so that they can be pushed into corresponding indentations in the plug-in divider  13 ′, such that the topmost edge of the reinforcement  60  preferably terminates with the topmost edge of the plug-in divider  13 ′. 
         [0173]    Therefore, the side walls of the compartments  25 ′,  25 ″, . . . can buckle to a lesser extent and are more rigid. 
         [0174]      FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of a rotor blade  120  or guide vane  130  of a turbomachine, which extends along a longitudinal axis  121 . 
         [0175]    The turbomachine may be a gas turbine of an aircraft or of a power plant for generating electricity, a steam turbine or a compressor. 
         [0176]    The blade or vane  120 ,  130  has, in succession along the longitudinal axis  121 , a securing region  400 , an adjoining blade or vane platform  403  and a main blade or vane part  406  and a blade or vane tip  415 . 
         [0177]    As a guide vane  130 , the vane  130  may have a further platform (not shown) at its vane tip  415 . 
         [0178]    A blade or vane root  183 , which is used to secure the rotor blades  120 ,  130  to a shaft or a disk (not shown), is formed in the securing region  400 . 
         [0179]    The blade or vane root  183  is designed, for example, in hammerhead form. Other configurations, such as a fir tree or dovetail root, are possible. 
         [0180]    The blade or vane  120 ,  130  has a leading edge  409  and a trailing edge  412  for a medium which flows past the main blade or vane part  406 . 
         [0181]    In the case of conventional blades or vanes  120 ,  130 , by way of example solid metallic materials, in particular superalloys, are used in all regions  400 ,  403 ,  406  of the blade or vane  120 ,  130 . 
         [0182]    Superalloys of this type are known, for example, from EP 1 204 776 B1, EP 1 306 454, EP 1 319 729 A1, WO 99/67435 or WO 00/44949. 
         [0183]    The blade or vane  120 ,  130  may in this case be produced by a casting process, by means of directional solidification, by a forging process, by a milling process or combinations thereof. 
         [0184]    Workpieces with a single-crystal structure or structures are used as components for machines which, in operation, are exposed to high mechanical, thermal and/or chemical stresses. 
         [0185]    Single-crystal workpieces of this type are produced, for example, by directional solidification from the melt. This involves casting processes in which the liquid metallic alloy solidifies to form the single-crystal structure, i.e. the single-crystal workpiece, or solidifies directionally. 
         [0186]    In this case, dendritic crystals are oriented along the direction of heat flow and form either a columnar crystalline grain structure (i.e. grains which run over the entire length of the workpiece and are referred to here, in accordance with the language customarily used, as directionally solidified) or a single-crystal structure, i.e. the entire workpiece consists of one single crystal. In these processes, a transition to globular (polycrystalline) solidification needs to be avoided, since non-directional growth inevitably forms transverse and longitudinal grain boundaries, which negate the favorable properties of the directionally solidified or single-crystal component. 
         [0187]    Where the text refers in general terms to directionally solidified microstructures, this is to be understood as meaning both single crystals, which do not have any grain boundaries or at most have small-angle grain boundaries, and columnar crystal structures, which do have grain boundaries running in the longitudinal direction but do not have any transverse grain boundaries. This second form of crystalline structures is also described as directionally solidified microstructures (directionally solidified structures). 
         [0188]    Processes of this type are known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,024,792 and EP 0 892 090 A1. 
         [0189]    The blades or vanes  120 ,  130  may likewise have coatings protecting against corrosion or oxidation e.g. (MCrAlX; M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), X is an active element and stands for yttrium (Y) and/or silicon and/or at least one rare earth element, or hafnium (Hf)). Alloys of this type are known from EP 0 486 489 B1, EP 0 786 017 B1, EP 0 412 397 B1 or EP 1 306 454 A1. 
         [0190]    The density is preferably 95% of the theoretical density. 
         [0191]    A protective aluminum oxide layer (TGO=thermally grown oxide layer) is formed on the MCrAlX layer (as an intermediate layer or as the outermost layer). 
         [0192]    The layer preferably has a composition Co-30Ni-28Cr-8Al-0.6Y-0.7Si or Co-28Ni-24Cr-10Al-0.6Y. In addition to these cobalt-based protective coatings, it is also preferable to use nickel-based protective layers, such as Ni-10Cr-12Al-0.6Y-3Re or Ni-12Co-21Cr-11Al-0.4Y-2Re or Ni-25Co-17Cr-10Al-0.4Y-1.5Re. 
         [0193]    It is also possible for a thermal barrier coating, which is preferably the outermost layer, to be present on the MCrAlX, consisting for example of ZrO 2 , Y 2 O 3 —ZrO 2 , i.e. unstabilized, partially stabilized or fully stabilized by yttrium oxide and/or calcium oxide and/or magnesium oxide. 
         [0194]    The thermal barrier coating covers the entire MCrAlX layer. 
         [0195]    Columnar grains are produced in the thermal barrier coating by suitable coating processes, such as for example electron beam physical vapor deposition (EB-PVD). 
         [0196]    Other coating processes are possible, e.g. atmospheric plasma spraying (APS), LPPS, VPS or CVD. The thermal barrier coating may include grains that are porous or have micro-cracks or macro-cracks, in order to improve the resistance to thermal shocks. The thermal barrier coating is therefore preferably more porous than the MCrAlX layer. 
         [0197]    Refurbishment means that after they have been used, protective layers may have to be removed from components  120 ,  130  (e.g. by sand-blasting). Then, the corrosion and/or oxidation layers and products are removed. If appropriate, cracks in the component  120 ,  130  are also repaired. This is followed by recoating of the component  120 ,  130 , after which the component  120 ,  130  can be reused. 
         [0198]    The blade or vane  120 ,  130  may be hollow or solid in form. If the blade or vane  120 ,  130  is to be cooled, it is hollow and may also have film-cooling holes  418  (indicated by dashed lines).

Technology Category: 7