Abstract: A gas turbine engine is used for power generation or propulsion and includes vanes. Each vane includes a trailing edge having a curvature and cooling slots that cool the vane. A photochemical edge shield includes an edge and projections that project from the edge. Before coating the vane, the photochemical edge shield is positioned on the vane such that each of the projections is received in one of the cooling slots. A ceramic coating is then applied to the vane. The photochemical edge shield prevents the ceramic coating from entering and clogging the cooling slots of the vane during the ceramic coating process.

Abstract: An electrical discharge machining electrode includes a body and one or more shaped teeth. The one or more shaped teeth of the body have a diffuser section and a metering section in electrical communication therewith. The body and the teeth may be formed by a process of photochemically etching a substrate made from an electrically conductive material.

Abstract: An electrical discharge machining electrode includes a body and one or more shaped teeth. The one or more shaped teeth of the body have a diffuser section and a metering section in electrical communication therewith. The body and the teeth may be formed by a process of photochemically etching a substrate made from an electrically conductive material.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine is used for power generation or propulsion and includes vanes. Each vane includes a trailing edge having a curvature and cooling slots that cool the vane. A photochemical edge shield includes an edge and projections that project from the edge. Before coating the vane, the photochemical edge shield is positioned on the vane such that each of the projections is received in one of the cooling slots. A ceramic coating is then applied to the vane. The photochemical edge shield prevents the ceramic coating from entering and clogging the cooling slots of the vane during the ceramic coating process.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine is used for power generation or propulsion and includes vanes. Each vane includes a trailing edge having a curvature and cooling slots that cool the vane. A photochemical edge shield includes an edge and projections that project from the edge. Before coating the vane, the photochemical edge shield is positioned on the vane such that each of the projections is received in one of the cooling slots. A ceramic coating is then applied to the vane. The photochemical edge shield prevents the ceramic coating from entering and clogging the cooling slots of the vane during the ceramic coating process.

Abstract: A loading apparatus for use in electroplating processes includes a container designed to sealingly receive a plurality of airfoil blades fitted with gaskets. Each fitted airfoil blade is disposed in contact with a plurality of electrical contact assemblies having a spring-like design which ensures an adequate connection is made and complete plating of the airfoil blades occurs.

Abstract: A fixture locator comprising a fixture base comprising a first receptive chamber extending along a base centerline comprising a first receptive surface; and two base wedge slots extending into the fixture base and intersecting the first receptive surface; a machine tool mount, comprising a first mating member extending along a mount centerline comprising an outer surface adapted to fit within the first receptive chamber such that the mount centerline is congruent with the base centerline, and two mount wedge slots extending into the machine tool mount a dual wedge which comprises a first wedge prong and a second wedge prong each comprising a first and a second end symmetrically disposed about a wedge centerline, a wedge bridge adapted to connect the first ends of the first and second wedge prongs, and a fastening member adapted to removably fasten the second ends of the first and second wedge prongs wherein each of the first and second wedge prongs are adapted to extend in contact with one of the base wedge s

Abstract: A fixture locator comprising a fixture base comprising a first receptive chamber extending along a base centerline comprising a first receptive surface; and two base wedge slots extending into the fixture base and intersecting the first receptive surface; a machine tool mount, comprising a first mating member extending along a mount centerline comprising an outer surface adapted to fit within the first receptive chamber such that the mount centerline is congruent with the base centerline, and two mount wedge slots extending into the machine tool mount a dual wedge which comprises a first wedge prong and a second wedge prong each comprising a first and a second end symmetrically disposed about a wedge centerline, a wedge bridge adapted to connect the first ends of the first and second wedge prongs, and a fastening member adapted to removably fasten the second ends of the first and second wedge prongs wherein each of the first and second wedge prongs are adapted to extend in contact with one of the base wedge s

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a tool for cleaning an anode in a coating machine. The anode cleaning tool has a rotary brush driven by a driver such as a cordless power drill. The rotary brush and the driver are connected to a support structure and an adapter which allows the tool to be joined to a shaft associated with the coating machine. The tool further includes a light source connected to the support structure for enabling an operator to see an anode as it is being cleaned.

Abstract: A shielding arrangement is described for a cathodic arc deposition apparatus which includes a contactor formed from an electrically conductive material and having an axially extending shaft and a cathode. The shielding arrangement includes a cup formed from an electrically conductive material surrounding a portion of the contactor shaft and a shield for preventing material from being deposited on the cup. The shielding arrangement includes a removable ring shield attached to the cup and a cylindrical shield formed from an electrically non-conductive material surrounding the cup and a portion of the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a tool for cleaning an anode in a coating machine. The anode cleaning tool has a rotary brush driven by a driver such as a cordless power drill. The rotary brush and the driver are connected to a support structure and an adapter which allows the tool to be joined to a shaft associated with the coating machine. The tool further includes a light source connected to the support structure for enabling an operator to see an anode as it is being cleaned.

Abstract: A shielding arrangement is described for a cathodic arc deposition apparatus which includes a contactor formed from an electrically conductive material and having an axially extending shaft and a cathode. The shielding arrangement includes a cup formed from an electrically conductive material surrounding a portion of the contactor shaft and a shield for preventing material from being deposited on the cup. The shielding arrangement includes a removable ring shield attached to the cup and a cylindrical shield formed from an electrically non-conductive material surrounding the cup and a portion of the shaft.

Abstract: Metallic surfaces are prepared to receive ceramic coatings. An abrasion process of progressively declining intensity removes a portion of the metallic surface. Ceramic coating applied to surfaces so prepared display improved lives at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved tool for holding at least one turbine blade having a platform during the application of a coating to underplatform areas of the at least one turbine blade. The tool includes at least one fixture for holding the at least one turbine bladed during the coating application. The at least one fixture has a base receptacle for receiving the at least one turbine blade and a cover for the base receptacle. Each of the base receptacle and the cover has an opening which corresponds in shape to each of the underplatform areas to be coated.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an apparatus for applying material by cathodic arc vapor deposition to a substrate is provided which includes a vessel, apparatus for maintaining a vacuum in the vessel, an annular cathode having a bore and an evaporative surface extending between first and second end surfaces, apparatus for selectively sustaining an arc of electrical energy between the cathode and an anode, and apparatus for steering the arc around the evaporative surface. The apparatus for steering the arc is positioned within the cathode bore, and produces a magnetic field that runs substantially parallel to the evaporative surface. The annular cathode is disposed radially inside of, and aligned with, the substrates inside the vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying material by cathodic arc deposition to a substrate is provided which includes a vessel, means for maintaining a vacuum in the vessel, a cathode, a contactor, means for selectively sustaining an arc of electrical energy between the cathode and an anode, and an actuator. The cathode and contactor are positioned inside the vessel, and the contactor is electrically connected to the means for selectively sustaining an arc of electrical energy. The actuator selectively actuates the contactor into electrical contact with the cathode, and thereby electrically connects the cathode to the means for sustaining an arc of electrical energy.

Abstract: A fixture (90) for use in selectively applying a protective coating to a gas turbine engine blade (10) includes a base (92) having a blade retention slot (102), and a disposable shield (110). The shield (110) includes a sheet metal sleeve (112) and a cap (114) having a window (116) the cap being affixed to one end of the sleeve. When fully assembled with the blade properly positioned in the fixture only those portions of the blade selected to be coated are exposed. Additional features such as a locator dowel (104) extending from the floor of the slot and mutually cooperative track (121) and nub (122) assist in locating the blade correctly in the fixture and orienting the window with respect to the blade platform (16). A lock exemplified by a groove (128) and the nub (122) resists separation of the shield from the base during coating operations.