Abstract: Apparatus for use in repairing turbine rotors includes a stand which supports a turbine rotor at positions spaced along its axis, the stand further including work stations to providing a work surface extending alongside a blade positioned in an array of blades on the rotor. A stop prevents movement of the rotor relative to the work station so that work operations can be carried out on a blade. The rotor may then be rotated about its axis until an adjacent blade is brought into proximity with the work station whereafter that blade may also be repaired and so on until all the blades have had the necessary repairs carried out thereto. The work surfaces may receive machine tools and other apparatus for the repair of the blades. A plurality of work stations may be provided enabling the simultaneous repair of a plurality of blades on the rotor thereby considerably decreasing the time necessary to carry out full repair to the rotor.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for forming a through bore or recess in a turbine blade, for a lacing wire hole for example, includes a machine capable of approaching the area to be machined in a first direction during which an initial machining operation may take place and them moving in a second direction completing the machining operation. Support means are provided to ensure the blade is held firmly. The method and apparatus permit of accurate machining of blades when they are in an array of blades still secured to the rotor.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in repairing turbine rotors comprises a stand which supports a turbine rotor at positions spaced along its axis, the stand further comprising work stations adapted to provide a work surface extending alongside a blade positioned in an array of blades on the rotor and stop means prevents movement of the rotor relative to the work station so that work operations can be carried out on a blade. The rotor may then be rotated about its axis until an adjacent blade is brought into proximity with the work station whereafter that blade may too be repaired and so on until all blades have had necessary repairs carried out thereto. The work surfaces may be adapted to receive machine tools and other apparatus for the repair of the blades. A plurality of work stations may be provided enabling the simultaneous repair of a plurality of blades on the rotor thereby considerably decreasing the time necessary to carry out full repair to the rotor.

Abstract: A method of repairing or modifying a turbine blade wherein damage or erosion has occurred to the end part of a turbine blade or it is required to remove the end part so as to improve the efficiency of the blade as a whole comprises the steps of removing the damaged end part or a part requiring replacement, securing a new piece of material to the blade which may or may not be partly preformed, and after securing of the new piece of material to the blade and heat treatment processes, subsequently working the new piece of material so that it conforms to the desired shape. The working of the new piece of material only after securement and heat treatment ensures that discontinuities such as lacing wire holes, shroud band apertures, tenons etc.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for forming a through bore or recess in a turbine blade, for a lacing wire hole for example, includes a machine capable of approaching the area to be machined in a first direction during which an initial machining operation may take place and them moving in a second direction completing the machining operation. Support means are provided to ensure the blade is held firmly. The method and apparatus permit of accurate machining of blades when they are in an array of blades still secured to the rotor.

Abstract: A method of repairing a turbine blade of the type having discontinuities such as lacing wire holes the method including the steps of driving a plug into any such discontinuity that is not in the immediate area that is likely to be subjected to consideration thermal energy as occurs during welding. The presence of the plug decreases the tendency for stress to concentrate around the discontinuity if the blade is subjected to stress caused by physical force or high temperatures.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing or repairing a turbine blade includes inserting an insert into the leading edge portion of the blade situate particularly adjacent the radially outer end of the turbine blade. The insert is made of a material different from the parent material of the blade and having a higehr carbon content to enable a piece of material to be satisfactorily hardened by heat treatment, the heat treatment being such that the portion of the insert adjoining the blade is not significantly hardened thereby minimizing or eliminating the likelihood of the formation of cracks in the insert during use of the turbine to which the blade is secured.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing or repairing a turbine blade which includes removing a part of a blade such as a damaged part and securing thereto an insert of hard steel which has been hardened prior to securing to the turbine blade and is then welded to the turbine blade temporarily and heat treatment processes may be carried out and it is desired that the insert is hardened to a hardness greater than that eventually required since such hardness may be reduced during the securing of the insert to the turbine blade.

Abstract: A method of repairing turbine blades where it is required to repair a blade while it is in situ on a rotor involves the movement of a lacing wire out of engagement with the blade to be repaired so that the blade may be repaired. The lacing wire may be completely removed from the array and replaced, or a new lacing wire member inseted by providing elongate holes or slots in the blade to enable the lacing wire member or members to be inserted into the blade array.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for repairing turbine blades wherein the repair requires the input of considerable thermal energy during a welding or brazing operation for example. The method involves the step of pre-distorting the blade prior to the welding or brazing operation so that the distortion that is expected to occur during welding or brazing leaves the blade after repair in its proper position. A clamp means may be provided to prevent parts of an individual blade from being predistorted so as to localize the predistortion in the required area. A tool for predistorting the blade ensures that a physical force may be applied to a local area of the blade.

Abstract: A method of repairing a turbine blade of the type wherein each of an array of blades has a tennon extending into a shroud passing around the outside of the blade, the repair being to the area of the blade in which the tennon is situated and comprises the steps of removing at least a part of the shroud, removing the damaged tennon and a part of the blade on which the tennon is situated, manufacturing a new tennon and blade part and locating that new part to at least one adjacent blade in a proper position while the new tennon and blade part is welded to the remaining part of the blade.

Abstract: A method of repairing a turbine blade of the type having one or more lacing wire holes comprising the steps of welding additional metal to the blade, subjecting the blade to a stress relieving heat treatment process before which the or each lacing wire hole is effectively eliminated by filling the hole or holes with material the same as or at least compatible with the material from which the blade is made. The turbine blade may be subjected to the application of mechanical forces to restore its form and machining to restore its shape can be gauged to ensure both its form and shape is correct.

Abstract: A part and method for repairing a high velocity fluid flow machine part, for example a turbine blade comprises an insert which may be made from a piece of material the same as the turbine blade and prior to attachment to the blade has an edge region hardened by any suitable means, for example induction hardening, the insert then being secured to the blade by welding or brazing, the weld or braze material being of a relatively soft nature to provide a cushion between the insert and the blade so as to minimize the occurrence of stress corrosion cracking.

Abstract: A method of repair of an article incorporating the application of considerable thermal energy, e.g. a welding operation, requires heating of the article both in the repair area and surrounds wherein the heating of the repair area and surrounds is carried out by flexible heating mats and wherein fixing means are used to securely fix the heating mats to the article, which fixing means may readily release at least a part of the heating mats whereby that part may be folded back or otherwise removed from the repair area to allow the repair step to be carried out. After repair, that part of the heating mats removed from the repair area may be replaced.