Abstract: A method for refurbishing turbine engine vanes in which the airfoils are removed and replaced. The original configuration of the vanes can be modified from a single casting or welded pair to a multi-piece component assembly comprising individual airfoil segments attached to the inner and outer platforms. The component assembly allows replacement of airfoils and/or platforms with improved castings in the form of improved alloys, improved physical geometry, or both. Modifications can be made in the vane class area without the need to modify the airfoil contour by brazing or other contour alteration processes. According to the method, the platforms are separated from the airfoils, the openings in the platforms are sealed, new airfoil sockets are cut into the platforms, and the vane is reassembled.

Abstract: A continuous motion can decorator includes a plurality of mandrel subassemblies mounted on a rotating carrier with equal angular spacings between adjacent subassemblies. The assemblies reciprocate radially with respect to the carrier axis as a center. Each subassembly includes a radially extending support arm that mounts a radially extending mono rail which extends through guide bearing units on the carrier. The mandrel of each subassembly is mounted on an axis that is parallel to the rotational axis of the carrier. An eccentric type mounting is provided for the mandrel axle on the reciprocating arm so that there is an individually operated means to adjust spacing between the carrier rotational axis and the mandrel axis. Vacuum and pressurized air are fed selectively to each mandrel subassembly through a flexible hose having a single loop that is formed by curving virtually the entire length of the hose.

Abstract: A process is provided to strip a metallic coating from a turbine blade comprising attaching the blade to a positive lead from a power supply, submersing a portion of the blade with a metallic coating to be stripped into a bath of acidic electro stripping solution, said bath containing a negative lead from a power supply attached to a conductive grid; and providing a current to the blade in the bath for a period of time effective to remove the coating on the portion of the blade.

Abstract: A method of refurbishing turbine engine vanes in which an alloy blend of a cobalt based superalloy and a nickel based superalloy corresponding to the base material of the turbine vane cobalt platform and the base nickel material of the replacement turbine vane airfoils is laser clad to the gaspath surfaces of the turbine vane platform. Laser cladding with the alloy blend allows the use of replacement airfoils with improved castings in the form of improved nickel based superalloys, and allows a coating to be uniformly applied to the gaspath surfaces of the vane. According to the method, the platforms are separated from the airfoils and laser clad with a blend of cobalt based superalloy and nickel based superalloy. The vane is then reassembled using the laser clad platform and at least one replacement airfoil.

Abstract: A process is provided for repairing the horizontal mount area of a JT9D turbine exhaust case having two mounting flanges by inspecting the horizontal mount area, weld repairing any defects found in the case wall and installing a reinforcement brace onto the inside of the case wall in the horizontal mount area, wherein the reinforcement brace overlaps an area under one mounting flange and extends to and overlaps the area under the second mounting flange.

Abstract: A process is provided for laser drilling a plurality of holes in a row around the circumference of a cylindrical workpiece by continuously rotating the workpiece, sequentially impacting each hole location with a laser pulse and repetitively and sequentially impacting each hole location with a subsequent laser pulse to drill through the workpiece.

Abstract: Anti-leak two-port and three-port poppet valves for a regenerative thermal oxidizer in which a gas such as contaminated air is first passed through a hot heat-exchange bed and into a communicating high temperature oxidation (combustion) chamber or zone, and then through a relatively cool second heat exchange bed. The alternating of the heat transfer zones to provide matrix regeneration is accomplished via regenerative thermal oxidizer switching valves. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the switching valves are horizontal pneumatic poppet type valves in a consolidated housing, the valve's switching frequency or cycle being a function of volumetric flow rate.

Abstract: A maskant is provided for use during laser welding or drilling comprising a paste of metallic powder and silica.

Abstract: A regenerative thermal oxidizer (H-101) includes a number of heat exchange columns (A, B) topped by a combustion chamber (C-101). Contaminated air is directed into one of the columns and oxidation is completed as the flow passes through the combustion chamber (C-101). From the combustion chamber (C-101), the now clean air flows vertically downward through another column and then is directed via an outlet through an outlet manifold and released to atmosphere or recirculated back to the oxidizer (H-101). A combustible fuel is added to the contaminated air prior to its entry into one of the columns. The addition of the combustible fuel is regulated by continuously monitoring the inlet and outlet temperatures (TE-101A, TE-108A), and comparing a difference between these temperatures to a predetermined value. Further control can be achieved by measuring the flow of contaminated air to the oxidizer (H-101) via pressure differential and coordinating that measurement with the temperature differential measurement.

Abstract: A combination infrared/convection dryer or oven for drying travelling webs. A shutter assembly is provided between the infrared radiation source and the moving web in order to selectively expose the web to infrared radiation. Drying efficiency is optimized by adding heated impinged air at high velocity on the machine direction ends and between the infrared elements. The air being discharged on the web is heated as it is pulled across the elements to a centralized return air duct. The return air is pulled into the inlet of a close coupled supply fan which then discharges the air to the nozzles. A portion of the air is also exhausted to atmosphere to maintain the oven enclosure in a negative pressure state, thus drawing fresh make-up air into the oven housing through the web inlet and outlet slots. Flotation nozzles can be used where contactless support of the running web is desired. Enhanced drying of the web and/or a coating on the web at high speed is achieved without a concomitant increase in dryer length.

Abstract: A process is provided for laser welding a nickel or cobalt based superalloy article to minimize cracking by preheating the entire weld area to a ductile temperature, maintaining such temperature during welding and solidification of the weld, with the welding utilizing a powder alloy feed and the speed of the laser controlled to less than 10 inches per minute.

Abstract: A combination infrared/air convection dryer or oven for travelling webs. A shutter assembly is provided between the infrared radiation source and the moving web in order to selectively expose the web to infrared radiation, and to create a sealed air chamber when in the closed position. Enhanced drying of the web and/or a coating on the web at high speed is achieved without a concomitant increase in dryer length. When the drying atmosphere has a high concentration of solvent, exposure of that atmosphere to the heating elements, which can cause explosions, is eliminated by actuation of the shutters. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, air bars are used to floatingly support the moving web to avoid contact of the web with dryer elements.

Abstract: An electric cigar lighter includes a receptacle for receiving and energizing an igniting unit of an automatic electric cigar lighter, the receptacle having a pair of circuits having respectively a grounding contact and a polarizing contact both of which are engageable with the igniting unit to carry current thereto, and a heat-responsive device comprising a solid state positive temperature coefficient resistor disposed in series in one of the circuits, the resistor being adapted to receive heat from the igniting unit for limiting the current in the one circuit when the resistor attains a predetermined high temperature.

Abstract: A protective gas shroud for welding is provided by: positioning an article into a chamber having an opening at the top to permit welding of the article; introducing argon into the body of the chamber to act as a protective gas shroud for the article during welding; introducing helium into the open top of the chamber to assist in maintaining a protective gas shroud around the article during welding; and welding the article within the protective gas shroud.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and device for recovery of energy from a medium containing combustible substances even at low concentrations. The method is characterized by raising the temperature of the medium in a regenerative combustor such as a reversal flow direction combustion device wherein the combustion takes place in a warm zone, to the combustion temperature at which essentially all chemical energy of the combustible substances is transformed into thermal energy. The heated medium is then utilized for the production of a wanted form of energy.

Abstract: An electrical power-operated accessory for automobiles and other vehicles, comprises an automatic electrical cigar lighter or power outlet device consisting of a holder structure which includes a socket having electrical contacts, and either an ignitor plug receivable in the socket for use with tobacco products, or else a power outlet plug to provide a source of power for operating other equipment. The ignitor plug has an electrical heating coil, and the socket has a base-mounted automatic switch to control the operating current. The socket also has safety overload protection in the form of a PTC wafer which functions to prevent overcurrent conditions. A glow ring on the holder or socket is illuminated concurrently with energization of the heating coil or the power outlet, or else separately controlled from an outside source.

Abstract: An active web stabilizer including a structure having a leading edge and a working surface coupled by a curved surface, the working surface being positioned proximate to a passing web. An internal pressurized air duct extends along the working surface orthogonally to the passing web. An air nozzle is provided at the leading edge and is in fluid communication with the air duct, the nozzle directing air flow around the curved surface and along the working surface. The air duct includes first and second chambers separated by a perforated baffle. An extension surface extends from the working surface and includes a trailing end which is angled away from the passing web. A comb is associated with the nozzle to promote web spreading.

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 metal coil printing mechanism for providing alignment between two patterns to be printed on a surface of the coil includes a blanket cylinder for applying a pattern to the metal coil and first and second plate cylinders which apply first and second patterns to the blanket cylinder. The first plate cylinder is geared directly to the blanket cylinder for rotation therewith. The second plate cylinder is geared for rotation with the blanket cylinder through a phase shifting device. The phase shifting device can be adjusted such that the circumferential position of the second pattern relative to the first pattern is adjusted such that desired alignment of the two patterns can be obtained.