Abstract:
A process and apparatus is provided for cleaning deposits (9) from gas turbine engine components, particularly turbine blades (1), by locating or drilling a hole into the cavity of the component, inserting a cleaning tube (7) into the cavity and cleaning the deposits (9) from the cavity with a cleaning material inserted into the cavity through the tube (7), followed by sealing any hole drilled in the component.
Abstract:
An abradable seal is provided utilizing a laser to cut a pattern into the surface effective to improve abradability in the area of the pattern.
Abstract:
A process is provided for forming a metallic edge (1) having a three dimensional internal configuration by preparing a metallic edge blank having a two dimensional internal configuration; attaching a flange (7) to the sides (3) of the blank; preheating the blank, forming mandrel (a) and receiver dies (11) to a temperature at which the metal is in a malleable state, with the forming mandrel (a) having an external surface which corresponds to the three dimensional internal configuration of the formed metallic edge; and hot forming the metallic edge (1) by securing the blank within the receiver dies (11) and advancing the mandrel into the inner cavity of the blank through use of a drive means which rotates the mandrel as it advances into the blank while maintaining the blank, mandrel (9) and receiver dies (11) at the malleable temperature.
Abstract:
A process and apparatus are provided for separating components of a brazed vane assembly (1) by preheating the assembly to a temperature below the solidus of the base metal of the vane assembly and above the liquids of the braze, then maintaining such temperature while separating the airfoil (23) from the platform (45) by pulling/pushing the airfoil (23) and platform apart (45).
Abstract:
Field replacement of a damaged outlet guide vane in a turbofan engine is facilitated by utilizing a replacement vane assembly (30) that includes an elongated replacement vane (31) having a first inner (32) and a second outer (33) mounting platform mounted at opposite ends of the vane. The first mounting platform is fixedly secured to the inner end of the vane and second mounting platform is mounted so as to be movable from the outer end of the vane toward the inner end thereof. By moving the outer mounting platform toward the inner end of the vane, it is easier to maneuver the vane in a confined space and facilitate entry of the outer platform over the lip of and into the outer annular casing groove (61) that retains the replacement vane.
Abstract:
A process for roughening a metal surface is provided comprising applying a coating to the metal surface wherein the coating is a temporary barrier to an etchant attacking the metal surface and the coating is susceptible to the etchant gradually removing the coating, and then etching the coated metal surface with an aqueous bath containing the etchant effective to produce a roughened metal surface.
Abstract:
A laser powdered metal cladding apparatus (10) includes a removable conical nozzle (15) having a central opening (23) through which the laser beam and powdered metal exit the apparatus. The opening (23) extends to the front surface (53) of the nozzle that is in close proximity to the workpiece (25). Axial passageways (51) in the tapered wall of the nozzle extend rearward from the front surface (53) and are arranged in an array that is centered around the opening (23). Inert gas flows through these axial passageways (51) to cool the nozzle and to form an oxidation shield at the puddle of liquid metal (26). Water or other cooling fluid is circulated through a water jacket (40) between apertures (41) to cool the apparatus (10). Powdered metal for cladding is delivered to a conical passage (35) at its inlets (36), and exits through the opening (23).
Abstract:
A process is provided for laser welding a superalloy article (20) by preheating the entire weld area and region adjacent to the weld area of the article to a ductile temperature within the range of 1400-2100 degrees F with an induction heat coil (14) and maintaining such temperature during welding and solidification of the weld; and welding the preheated article using a laser (11) with a powder alloy feed (12), with a control system which controls the laser powder feed (12) and a motion system on which the article is fixtured, wherein the control system includes a vision system which digitizes the weld area of the article (20) providing a path for the laser to follow.