Abstract: The invention relates to a guidance device for guiding a worker through a process of installing flanges by fastening a plurality of bolts with a torque wrench. The guidance device is arranged to communicate with the torque wrench and the worker via a user interface. The guidance device is arranged to a) obtain flange information about a flange to be installed, the flange information comprising a required torqueing pattern of the bolts to be fastened and required torque values, b) output via the user interface of an indication of a first bolt of the required torqueing pattern, c) receive an applied torque value from the torque wrench, d) output via the user interface of an indication of a next bolt of the required torqueing pattern, repeat c) and d) until a last applied torque value is received and e) transmit a torque record to a remote computer or data storage.

Abstract: A method of operating a substrate support includes arranging a substrate on an inner portion of the substrate support and calculating a desired pocket depth of the substrate support using data indicative of a relationship between the desired pocket depth and at least one process parameter. The desired pocket depth corresponds to a desired distance between an upper surface of an edge ring surrounding the inner portion and an upper surface of the substrate. The method further includes selectively controlling, based on the desired pocket depth as calculated, an actuator to raise and lower at least one of the edge ring and the inner portion to adjust the distance between the upper surface of the edge ring and the upper surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A method for controlling a process for manufacturing a bevel gear includes forming, via a first process, a ring gear and determining a first set of parameters associated with the ring gear, and forming, via a second process, the pinion gear, and determining a second set of parameters associated with the pinion gear. The ring gear and the pinion gear are paired, and a single-flank test is executed on the paired ring gear and pinion gear to determine a third set of parameters. The paired ring gear and pinion gear are assembled into a final assembly, and an end-of-line noise/vibration analysis of the final assembly is executed. The noise/vibration analysis, the first set of parameters, the second set of parameters, and the third set of parameters are evaluated, and one of the first process, the second process, the pairing process, and the assembly process are adjusted based thereon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for extending the length of a vehicle without the need to rebalance the original drive assembly. The method includes disconnecting the front drive shaft segment from the vehicle transmission, extending the length of the vehicle frame, and inserting a drive shaft extension segment which includes: a rigid tubular shaft rotatable about a longitudinal axis; a universal joint mounted at the tubular shaft front end and having a front flange configured for mounting to the transmission; and a bearing assembly mounted to the tubular shaft The extension segment rear end includes a rearward facing flange configured for mounting to a forward facing flange of the front drive shaft segment that was disconnected from the vehicle transmission. The extension segment is installed in the vehicle between the vehicle transmission and the front drive shaft segment without the need to rebalance the original drive assembly.

Abstract: A method of de-tensioning a rod by attaching a gripping unit removal device to a gripping unit and rod, positioning a chair frame over the gripping unit, positioning a rod tensioning unit along the rod with one end of the rod tensioning unit being in contact with the chair frame, applying a first force to the rod tensioning unit, positioning a bearing plate on the rod in contact with the rod tensioning unit, positioning a load cell in contact with the rod on the rod tensioning unit, securing a drive unit to the chair frame such that a portion of the drive unit is in contact with the rod, applying a second pressure to the rod tensioning unit, actuating the drive unit, and releasing the second pressure on the rod tensioning unit.

Abstract: An assembly tool for a bearing ring having roller members, the tool including a ring configured to be arranged on a side face of the bearing ring and including sliding elements received in receiving members on the ring. The sliding elements are distributed peripherally in a uniform manner around the ring and are configured to be displaced from a starting position into an end position relative to the ring. When the tool is mounted on the ring, the sliding elements, positioned in their end positions, extend between adjacent roller members and limit a radial movability of the roller members relative to the bearing ring.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a blade, the method includes casting a nickel alloy blade precursor having an airfoil and a root. The airfoil and the root are solution heat treating differently from each other. After the solution heat treating, the root is wrought processed. After the wrought processing, an exterior of the root is machined.

Abstract: Methods for forging a piston blank are disclosed such that the forged piston blank is in a near-net shape and size of a final piston. Bending a flange to form a cooling channel can be done with reduced or no preliminary machining away of core material relative prior to bending the flange.

Abstract: A routing method for routing a corrugated tube between a vehicle body of a vehicle and a slide door of the vehicle, the method includes providing the corrugated tube including a main body portion and a rigid portion, the rigid portion having a first end and a second end, attaching a vehicle-body-side unit to the rigid portion, the vehicle-body-side unit including a first attachment member and a first fixing member, attaching a door-side unit to the main body portion, the door-side unit including a second attachment member and a second fixing member, and adjusting a distance between the first end and a position at which the first attachment member is attached to the rigid portion in accordance with the vehicle in which the corrugated tube is routed.

Abstract: A system for assembling roofing at ground level has an adjustable-length center frame separating a first assembly side from a second assembly side; a first cantilevered gantry on the first assembly side and a second cantilevered gantry on a second side, each cantilevered gantry moveable along the length of the center frame; a plurality of outrigger beams coupled to opposing ends of the center beam, each outrigger beam having a catwalk thereon; a first joist railing and a second joist railing on each assembly side, each joist railing configured to receive an end of an open web joist; and a base frame comprising a plurality of wheels. Once the roofing section has been assembled, hoisting the assembled roofing section to the top of a structure.

Abstract: A gas turbine includes a housing and an outer sealing ring. In an assembled state of the housing and the outer sealing ring, a first planar structure of the outer sealing ring is axially moveable with respect to a second planar structure of the housing against a direction of flow through the gas turbine.

Abstract: An aircraft component is manufactured from a plurality of separate materials comprising a first material. The first material is physically associated with a tracking device comprising a first storage medium featuring line-of-sight accessible information and a second storage medium featuring non-line-of-sight accessible information. The line-of-sight accessible information and the non-line-of-sight accessible information each comprise information regarding the first material physically associated with the tracking device.

Abstract: An irrigation pipe assembly that utilizes a pipe that is made of a durable material, e.g., stainless steel or aluminum. During fabrication, the pipe is equipped with a plurality of components, i.e., a flange assembly, a truss mount, and an outlet, without drilling, welding, or the like. In this manner, a method of fabrication is provided that enables a plurality of components to be assembled to the pipe without compromising the integrity of the pipe material or treated surface so that galvanizing or painting is not required after the plurality of components have been fitted to the pipe.

Abstract: A portable windshield alignment and installation device and method of setting windshields mounts to a windshield wiper post to mark the position of a removed windshield, so that a replacement windshield can be set in the exact same position. The tool comprises a bracket having a base plate, a slide plate, and a face plate. The base plate mounts to a slave post, and the slide plate abuts a replacement windshield. The plates form longitudinal slots. A wiper post panel has an aperture. The aperture enables passage of the windshield wiper post for mounting. A face plate having a stud overlays the slide plate to support the replacement windshield to replace the windshield, and also protect the replacement windshield. The studs align with, and slides through the slots to enable horizontal and vertical adjustments relative to wiper post and replacement windshield.

Abstract: A method for design in indenter apparatus for plastically straining a workpiece including a weld nugget, adjacent heat affected zones, and the adjacent parent-metal portions or new metal portions, throughout the weld nugget volume and heat affected zone, to produce threshold levels of uniform plastic strain which meet or exceed plastic strain levels that provide, when the weld nugget and heat affected zone is heat treated, a recrystallized grain structure metallurgically comparable to the grain structure of the parent-metal. The indenter provided by the optimization methods may be used to advantageously in a method for the repair of damaged rotors, including integrally bladed rotors, in gas turbine engines, such as in aircraft engines. Blades for gas turbine engines, including integrally bladed rotors, may be advantageously provided constructed by the methods taught.

Abstract: A device for arresting a shock wave in a fluid in a pipe assembly. The device includes a base, body, and piston. The base has a connector portion with a first opening into an interior. The connector portion is configured to be coupled to the pipe assembly and allow the fluid to flow into the interior through the first opening. The body has an open end opposite a closed end and a channel that extends from the open end into the closed end. The open end is positioned inside a second opening into the interior of the base. Together the base and body form a housing in which the piston is positioned. The piston is slidable within the housing from a resting position to a compressing position when the shock wave travels through the pipe assembly. The piston compresses a gas inside the housing when in the compressing position.

Abstract: A seal for sealing a space between a first structure and second structure. The seal includes a seal base configured to couple with the first structure so as to form a respective seal with the first structure, a resilient lattice body coupled to the seal base, and a cover. The cover includes an inner surface coupled to the resilient lattice body in an opposing relationship relative to the seal base so that the cover moves towards and away from the seal base in a biasing direction of the resilient lattice body, and a bulbous outer surface configured to engage the second structure so as to form a respective seal with the second structure.

Abstract: A rivet nut tool has a primary gear driven by a motor and a gear assembly coupled to the primary gear for rotation for moving a pull screw by a movement distance to achieve a stroke. The tool has a selection button for selecting a stroke value and a pull-riveting force. A control processor receives the selected stroke value and pull-riveting force. A count sensor is used to measure the rotational movement of a primary gear in terms of signal counts for determining the stroke achieved by the pull screw. The selected stroke value is presentable as a preset count value. When the signal count reaches the preset count value, or the motor current exceeds the current needed for the selected pull-riveting force, the control processor is configured to reverse the rotation direction of the motor so as to return the pull screw to its start position.

Abstract: A method for joining components of a vehicle drive axle assembly. The method includes heating an axle housing to a first predetermined temperature and cooling a pinion cartridge to be installed with the housing to a second predetermined temperature. Removing the axle housing from exposure to the first predetermined temperature and removing the pinion cartridge from the second predetermined temperature and rapidly installing the pinion cartridge within the axle assembly before the axle assembly and the pinion return to ambient temperature provides a frictional fit, joining the two components without use of additional fastening devices.

Abstract: A rail treatment machine, mobile on a track, for removing irregularities on a rail head surface of at least one rail of a laid track, includes a machine frame supported on a front on-track undercarriage and a rear on-track undercarriage, as seen in a working direction. A tool frame accommodates at least one tool carrier. A rear end of the tool frame is articulated on the rear on-track undercarriage in an articulation point on a vertical axis of rotation. A front end of the tool frame is supported on a separate on-track undercarriage situated between the front on-track undercarriage and the rear on-track undercarriage.