Patents Assigned to GE Aviation Service Operation
  • Patent number: 6195891
    Abstract: A method for identifying and repairing indications open to the surface of a turbine component, such as cracks or other tight crevices that may develop during turbine engine operation. The process includes cleaning the component of debris, dirt or other foreign material that may otherwise mask the presence of the indications. This is followed by applying a fluorescent penetrant to the surface of the component. Without removing the penetrant, the article is visually inspected under normal lighting conditions and repair alloy is applied as needed to areas requiring repair. Next, the article is inspected under an ultraviolet light, at which time very tight indications not otherwise detectable by the unaided eye are identified as areas requiring repair and repair alloy is applied to these additional areas, by an automatic and/or manual process. Without removing the penetrant, the article is then heated to an elevated temperature sufficient to liquify at least a portion of the repair alloy to accomplish the repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignees: GE Aviation Service Operation, Operation Private Limited
    Inventors: Keng N. Chen, Genfa Hu