Abstract: A method to repair a peripheral portion of a body including: removing a damaged portion from a peripheral region of the body; mounting a replacement ring to the body after removal of the damaged portion; forming an interior groove between the inner surface of the replacement ring and the peripheral surface of the body, wherein the groove is between ridges; welding the replacement ring to the body, wherein weld material is applied only within end grooves, and leaving a void in said center section after the welding of the replacement ring to the body.

Abstract: A method to repair a peripheral portion of a body including: removing a damaged portion from a peripheral region of the body; mounting a replacement ring to the body after removal of the damaged portion; forming an interior groove between the inner surface of the replacement ring and the peripheral surface of the body, wherein the groove is between ridges; welding the replacement ring to the body, wherein weld material is applied only within end grooves, and leaving a void in said center section after the welding of the replacement ring to the body.

Abstract: A method of repairing a damaged dovetail on a peripheral portion of a turbine wheel includes the steps of removing buckets from the dovetail; removing a damaged dovetail from the peripheral portion of the turbine wheel, leaving a rotor wheel body having a peripheral rim; disposing a replacement ring about the peripheral rim, the replacement ring and the rim defining therebetween a pair of end grooves and a center section; and welding the replacement ring to the peripheral rim, with weld material applied only within the end grooves, leaving a void in the center section.

Abstract: A method of repairing a damaged dovetail on a peripheral portion of a turbine wheel includes the steps of removing buckets from the dovetail; removing a damaged dovetail from the peripheral portion of the turbine wheel, leaving a rotor wheel body having a peripheral rim; disposing a replacement ring about the peripheral rim, the replacement ring and the rim defining therebetween a pair of end grooves and a center section; and welding the replacement ring to the peripheral rim, with weld material applied only within the end grooves, leaving a void in the center section.

Abstract: An apparatus for machining a weld tab on an article. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes: a base member including at least one rolling element for contacting an underlying surface, the base member having a leading end and a trailing end; a cutting apparatus operably connected to the base member, the cutting apparatus including: a cutting member positioned proximate the leading end of the base member, the cutting member sized to coincide with a size of the weld tab; and a handle member proximate the trailing end and operably connected to the cutting member, the handle member for modifying a position of the cutting member relative to the base member.

Abstract: A multi-functional rotary turning and positioning apparatus and method for performing multiple service operations on a turbomachinery rotor while the rotor remains continuously supported with the apparatus. The apparatus includes a platform, a rotary headstock mounted to the platform, a spindle coupled to and rotatably supported by the headstock and adapted for coupling to a turbomachinery rotor, bearing pedestals mounted to the platform and adapted for rotatably supporting the rotor, at least one motor for turning the spindle at least two different rotational speed ranges, equipment mountable to the platform for performing multiple service operations on the rotor, and equipment for controlling the rotational speed and position of the spindle for the purpose of performing the service operation with the operating equipment.

Abstract: A multi-functional rotary turning and positioning apparatus and method for performing multiple service operations on a turbomachinery rotor while the rotor remains continuously supported with the apparatus. The apparatus includes a platform, a rotary headstock mounted to the platform, a spindle coupled to and rotatably supported by the headstock and adapted for coupling to a turbomachinery rotor, bearing pedestals mounted to the platform and adapted for rotatably supporting the rotor, at least one motor for turning the spindle at at least two different rotational speed ranges, equipment mountable to the platform for performing multiple service operations on the rotor, and equipment for controlling the rotational speed and position of the spindle for the purpose of performing the service operation with the operating equipment.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a rotor shaft using a welding process. The method includes positioning a first rotor shaft section adjacent a second rotor shaft section, and using a submerged arc welding process with an included weld preparation angle of between about 0° and about 30° to join the first and second rotor shaft sections together.

Abstract: The welding method for repairing a turbine rotor dovetail includes removal of buckets from damaged dovetails, removing a damaged dovetail from a turbine wheel, leaving a rotor wheel body having a rim. A plurality of ring sections are disposed about the wheel body rim, leaving axially opening annular grooves along opposite sides of the wheel. Welding apparatus including an electrode, welding wire and gas-carrying tube are inserted into the groove through an axial face of the wheel. One or more cover plates are disposed to overlie the groove at the location of its opening through the axial face of the wheel to at least partially seal the groove at its opening and maintain welding gas in the groove, enveloping the electrode and weld wire.

Abstract: A welding process and an apparatus used therein for providing a significant improvement in the detrimental tensile residual stress condition on the root side of welds, especially on the inside wall of piping welds. The method combines an extremely thin weld joint design with a non-circular cylindrical, thin welding electrode having an elongated cross-sectional shape. During welding, the elongated dimension is aligned parallel with the length of the weld joint. This combination enables joining of piping and other residual stress-sensitive components with both the initial weld joint preparation and the completed weld having a uniquely thin width and with a high aspect ratio of depth to width. Use of this high-aspect-ratio weld joint process substantially mitigates welding-induced residual stresses, without the normally required internal water cooling.