Abstract: A ceramic mixture is shaped to form a ceramic core having a configuration which corresponds to the configuration of a cavity in an airfoil. The ceramic core is positioned between a plurality of arrays of burners. Flames from the burners burn organic material contained in the ceramic core. During burning of the organic material, the core is upright with a longitudinal central axis of the core in a generally vertical orientation. The ceramic core may be dipped in a ceramic material after having performed the step of burning organic material and prior to additional heat treatment of the ceramic core.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting an article includes a laser assembly which is operable to direct a laser beam against a series of locations disposed along a line which extends across discontinuities in a surface of the article. The position of at least of one location against which the laser beam is directed is detected. The at least one location is spaced from discontinuities in the surface of the article.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting an article includes a laser assembly which is operable to direct a laser beam against a series of locations disposed along a line which extends across discontinuities in a surface of the article. The position of at least of one location against which the laser beam is directed is detected. The at least one location is spaced from discontinuities in the surface of the article.

Abstract: To inspect recesses in sides of an airfoil, gauge heads are moved into engagement with the recesses. Fluid pressure is conducted to the recesses while the gauge heads are in engagement with the recesses. A determination is made as to whether the rate of leakage of fluid from the recesses is greater than or less than a predetermined rate. If the rate of leakage of fluid is greater than a predetermined rate, one or more of the recesses is unacceptable. However, if the rate of leakage of fluid pressure is less than the predetermined rate, the recesses are acceptable.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new and improved method of forming a turbine engine component having a plurality of airfoils disposed in an annular array between inner and outer shroud rings. The method includes forming inner and outer shroud ring patterns. The inner and outer shroud ring patterns may advantageously be formed by solid freeform fabrication techniques, such as stereolithography. An assembly fixture may be utilized to position the inner and outer shroud rings and an array of airfoils in a coaxial relationship. When the inner and outer shroud rings are to be assembled, axially inner and outer shroud ring patterns may be interconnected by providing relative rotation between annular sections of the shroud ring patterns. In addition, adhesive may be utilized to interconnect the sections of the shroud ring patterns.

Abstract: A cast metal article is formed with an internal cavity. The internal cavity is formed by a ceramic core which is removed from the cast metal article to leave the cavity. The ceramic core is formed with a cavity to facilitate removal of the core from the cast metal article. To remove the core from the cast metal article, the cavity in the core is filled with a leaching liquid.

Abstract: During casting of metal articles, a mold is moved into a body or bath of molten metal. The mold is moved into a container which contains a portion of the body of molten metal. Heat is transferred at a first rate from the mold to a first portion of the body of molten metal disposed above the container. Heat is transferred at a second rate from the mold to the second portion of the body of molten metal at least part of which is disposed in the container. The container retards movement of molten metal relative to the mold to effect an increase in the temperature of the molten metal in the container and thereby retards transfer of heat from a portion of the mold disposed in the container to the body of molten metal. The mold enters the container through an opening at the upper end portion of the container. One or more additional openings may be provided at the lower end portion of the container.

Abstract: Core material is removed from a passage in a casting by exposing at least a portion of the core material in the passage to a leaching liquid. At least a portion of the core material in the passage is exposed to a gas. An opening to passage is exposed to a gas. At least a portion of the leaching liquid in the passage is boiled while the opening to the passage is exposed to a gas. At least a portion of the leaching liquid is expelled from the passage in the casting by the boiling action. To expose at least a portion of the core material in a passage to a leaching liquid, a flow of leaching liquid is conducted from a reservoir container to an operating container in which the casting is disposed. To expose at least a portion of the core material in the passage to a gas, a flow of leaching liquid is conducted from the operating container to the reservoir container.

Abstract: A method of casting metal articles includes providing a plurality of interconnected support sections. Article mold sections are positioned on the support sections. After article mold cavities, have been filled with a molten metal which is at a first temperature, the support sections and a body of a second molten metal are moved relative to each other while the body of a second molten metal is at a temperature which is less than the first temperature. Space extending between side surfaces of the support sections and between side portions of the article mold sections is filled with the second molten metal during movement between the support sections and the body of a second molten metal. A layer of insulating material may be provided above the body of a second molten metal. A baffle may be provided between a container holding the body of a second molten metal and a furnace assembly.

Abstract: To cast one or more metal articles, a mold structure is positioned on a support with an anchor extending upward from the support into the mold structure. The mold structure and anchor are interconnected by a retainer which extends through a portion of the mold structure into the anchor. When the mold structure is immersed in a cooling bath, force is transmitted between the mold structure and anchor to retain the mold structure against movement relative to the support.

Abstract: A method of forming a pattern includes providing an actual core having dimensions which are different from dimensions of an ideal core. A best fit spatial relationship of the actual core to a spatial envelope for an ideal core is determined. Locating surfaces in a die are moved to positions, at least some of which are offset from ideal core locating positions, in which the actual core is positioned in a best fit spatial relationship with the spatial envelope for the ideal core. A plurality of motors may be utilized to move the core locating surfaces to desired locating positions. The actual core is positioned in engagement with the core locating surfaces and a flow of wax is conducted into the die. If desired, a best fit spatial relationship of the actual core to a die cavity may be determined, rather than a best fit with an ideal core.

Abstract: An unfired ceramic base core having a first coefficient of thermal expansion is provided. A core element having a second coefficient of thermal expansion is positioned in an opening formed in the unfired ceramic base core. The opening in the unfired ceramic base core is filled with a filler material having a third coefficient of thermal expansion. The third coefficient of thermal expansion is greater than the first coefficient of thermal expansion and less than the second coefficient of thermal expansion. The ceramic base core is fired without cracking the base core and without cracking the filler material. The ceramic base core contains silica and zircon and has a silica content of 70% or less and a zircon content of 30% or more. The core element may be formed of a ceramic material or a refractory metal.

Abstract: A plurality of molds are disposed on a rotatable base. The base is rotated to move each of the molds in turn through a pouring station to an article removing station and back to the pouring station. A molten nickel chrome super alloy is poured into each of the molds in turn at the pouring station. The molds are cooled by a flow of cooling fluid. The nickel chrome super alloy articles are removed from the molds at the article removal station. The base may be continuously or intermittently rotated relative to the pouring station. Molten metal may be continuously or intermittently poured at the pouring station.

Abstract: An adjustable mold is used to mold material to form a first support. A first ceramic article is supported by the first support during firing. The adjustable mold may be adjusted and used to mold material to form a second support having a second configuration. The second support is used to support a second ceramic article during firing. The first and second supports may advantageously be formed with projections which engage the ceramic articles during firing. The length of these projections may be varied by adjusting the mold. A second adjustable mold may be used to form a first retainer which limits upward movement of the first ceramic article during firing. The second adjustable mold may be adjusted and used to form a second retainer which limits upward movement of the second ceramic article during firing.

Abstract: A Method of casting includes providing a mold having one or more article mold cavities. The mold is moved into a furnace. While the mold is in the furnace, the mold is filled with molten metal. After the mold has been removed from the furnace, a heater is positioned adjacent to the mold and heat is transmitted from the heater to the mold. The heater may include electrically energizable resistance type heating elements, or a source of radiant energy or a gas burner.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in casting a metal article includes a furnace assembly and a container which holds a fluidized bed. A mold support is movable relative to the furnace assembly to move a mold from the furnace assembly into the fluidized bed. A bame is disposed between the fluidized bed and at least a portion of the furnace assembly. The baffle may have a plurality of secondary openings which enable particulate to move from an upper side of the baffle into the fluidized bed. The baffle may be connected with the furnace assembly, the container which holds the fluidized bed, or floated on the fluidized bed itself. The baffle may be provided with flexible segments which engage the mold and at least partially block movement of particulate through a central opening in the baffle during withdrawal of the mold from the furnace assembly.

Abstract: A baffle includes a base and a seal having flexible segments which engage a mold structure. The base of the baffle may have a noncircular opening in which article mold portions of the mold structure are disposed. The baffle may be connected with the furnace assembly before a mold is moved into the furnace assembly or may be connected with the furnace assembly as the mold is moved into the furnace assembly. A projection connected with the mold structure may be utilized to orient the baffle relative to the mold structure. The projection may be a thermocouple assembly which extends from the chill plate. Alternatively, the projection may be a portion of the mold structure itself.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in casting a metal article includes a furnace assembly and a container which holds a fluidized bed. A mold support is movable relative to the furnace assembly to move a mold from the furnace assembly into the fluidized bed. A baffle is disposed between the fluidized bed and at least a portion of the furnace assembly. The baffle may have a plurality of secondary openings which enable particulate to move from an upper side of the baffle into the fluidized bed. The baffle may be connected with the furnace assembly, the container which holds the fluidized bed, or floated on the fluidized bed itself. The baffle may be provided with flexible segments which engage the mold and at least partially block movement of particulate through a central opening in the baffle during withdrawal of the mold from the furnace assembly.

Abstract: A baffle includes a base and a seal having flexible segments which engage a mold structure. The base of the baffle may have a noncircular opening in which article mold portions of the mold structure are disposed. The baffle may be connected with the furnace assembly before a mold is moved into the furnace assembly or may be connected with the furnace assembly as the mold is moved into the furnace assembly. A projection connected with the mold structure may be utilized to orient the baffle relative to the mold structure. The projection may be a thermocouple assembly which extends from the chill plate. Alternatively, the projection may be a portion of the mold structure itself.

Abstract: As a mold containing molten metal is lowered from a heating chamber, a baffle extends around the mold. Force is transmitted from the mold to an inner section of the baffle to release connectors between the inner section of the baffle and an outer section of the baffle. As the connectors are released, a side surface on the inner section of the baffle moves out of the coplanar relationship with a side surface on the outer section of the baffle. The baffle may be integrally formed as one-piece. Rather than being formed as one-piece, the baffle may include separate pieces which form the inner and outer sections of the baffle. Alternatively, the inner section of the baffle may be disposed above and supported by the outer section of the baffle. Latches may be provided to interconnect the outer section of the baffle and the furnace assembly.