Margarita Urbaha

Nanostructured Intermetal-Ceramic Coatings for Blades of Gas Turbine Engines

The paper deals with the creation of fundamentally new functional multicomponent coatings applying the technologies of ion-plasmous sputtering. The results of the conducted experimental research showed the high efficiency of the elaborated multicomponent intermetal-ceramic (IMCER) coating for the protection of gas turbine engines (GTE) blades in their maintenance process. The coating is formed in plasma from the fusions based upon aluminium and titanium. The maximum thickness of the coating reaches 40 μm.

Methods and means of the computer-aided design of unmanned aerial vehicle model

The work contains the analysis of the design methodology of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which is able to carry out environmental monitoring, define the location of various objects and targets with high accuracy, map the seats of fire and areas of environmental contamination, fulfil patrolling functions to solve the tasks of the National Armed Forces and police, carry out meteorological research, etc. The original UAV design is provided with special compartments to carry useful load (engine, batteries, surveillance camera, control elements, 80 etc). The UAV has a combined control system intended for the control in an automatic mode including the application of GPS system.

Development and Assessment of Planetary Gear Unit for Experimental Prototype of Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

Abstract The theoretical calculation for development of planetary gear unit of wind turbine (WT) and its experimental tests are presented in the paper. Development of experimental prototypes from composite materials is essential to determine capability of element and its impact on feature. Two experimental scale prototypes of planetary gear unit for WT were developed for such purposes. Hall transducer, servomechanisms and optical tachometers were used to obtain results, comparison analysis of theoretical and actual data was performed as well as quality assessment of experimental prototypes of planetary gear unit. After kinematic and load analysis as well as control of rotation frequency, it is possible to declare that the unit is able to operate at designated quality. Theoretical calculations and test results obtained are used for industrial WT prototype development.

Ship Power System Analysis Based on Safety Aspects

Abstract This article analyses the reasons for the reduction of insulating resistance, processes influencing them and isolation diagnostic methods. It provides a short description of electrical safety situation on ships with isolated neutral electrical power systems. It also covers the methods of protecting personnel from electric shock or preventing ignition or arching damage at the fault location with the help of fault current compensation. Principal fault current compensation circuit diagrams are analysed by using the minimum value and time of transient fault current as criteria.

Aerodynamic Research of the Experimental Prototype of the Variable Geometry Wind Turbine

Abstract The aim of this research is to develop a vertical rotation axis variable geometry wind turbine (WT). The experimental prototype is being manufactured with the help of CAM (Computer-aided manufacturing) technologies – computer-based preparation of the product manufacturing process. The Institute of Aeronautics of Riga Technical University is using CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines for manufacturing the innovative WT and its components. The aerodynamic research has been done in T-4 wind tunnel at an air flow rate from 5 m/s to 30 m/s. The power increase of the variable geometry WT is a topical issue. Installation of such WTs in wind farms is possible and is subject to further research.

Protective antifriction multilayer nanostructured coating by ion-plasma sputtering

Unacceptable wear is the main problem of machines and mechanisms failure in most cases. One of the numerous solutions – specially designed protective antifriction coating – is introduced as a result of the research made. Protective coatings are the most prospective solution for problems of wear and friction. In comparison with various lubricants, protective coatings are more reliable and durable due to their better adhesiveness.

Titanium Compound Erosion-Resistant Nano-Coatings

The main objective of this paper is to offer ion-plasma technology for production of Ti (titanium) and titanium nitride (TiN) erosion-resistant nanocoatings for the machine building products, which ensures the coatings with optimum and stable properties. As a result of experiments and processing experimental data the optimum composition of ion-plasma titanium and titanium nitride nanocoatings was obtained and offered.The approbation of the developed technology on the existing machine building products (compressor blade of the helicopter gas turbine; base material: Incoloy 800) was carried out. The comparative study on the influence of the coating on the surface quality, coefficient of friction, adhesion strength and erosion resistance was done. For evaluation of the obtained nanocoating surface’s quality 2D and 3D surface description approaches were applied. Achieved results prove the effectiveness of offered ion-plasma technology for production of titanium and titanium nitride erosion-resistant nanocoatings with appropriate and stable properties.

Heat and erosion-resistant nanostructured coatings for gas turbine engines

This work analyses the characteristics of functional coatings obtained by vacuum ion-plasma sputtering. These coatings have three-layer multiphase structure created as a result of condensing aluminium and titanium according to a certain programme. The article presents the results of investigation into the heat-resistance of ion-plasma coatings based on Ti-Al-N for titanium alloy parts of gas turbine engines. Analysis of the oxidation process between a sample surface and coatings within the range of 500–825 °C was carried out. The basic features of the process of coating destruction under high-temperature oxidation conditions were determined by means of scanning electron microscopy. The results of the tests made it possible to state that the coatings developed are able to operate at temperatures of 600–750 °C.

Wear Resistant Nanostructured Multi-component Coatings

The authors offer the restoration technology of precision pair parts – valves, plungers and injectors of vehicle fuel pumps. The technology stipulates the creation of a special restoring wear-resistant coating on the basis of Ti–Al–N (titanium-aluminum-nitrogen) deposited by ion-plasma sputtering. The possibility of combining the methods of electric arc and magnetron sputtering, which arose as a result of the modification of the installation, makes it possible to partially reduce the drawbacks of both methods by simultaneously using their basic advantages. This technique, in particular, gave the opportunity to reduce the drop phase without reducing the efficiency of ion bombardment. In addition, the spectrum of materials being sputtered has been expanded and their quality has been improved.