Patents by Inventor Albin Platz

Albin Platz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11471964
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of drill holes in difficult to machine materials, in which a removal of material takes place in order to produce a drill hole by electrochemical erosion of material by an electrode that is moved in the longitudinal direction of the drill hole being produced in the direction onto the material to be processed at a feed rate, wherein the drilling has at least two steps, wherein, in the first step, the electrochemical processing takes place, and wherein, in a second step, the further processing of the drill hole to the final diameter takes place by machining processing or by erosion or by an electrochemical processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines AG
    Inventors: Albin Platz, Nicole Feiling, Anna Carina Kuepper, Norbert Huber
  • Publication number: 20220032384
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a plate of a turbomachine having a plurality of receiving grooves, which are formed on the cylindrical peripheral surface of the plate in order to receive blade roots of blades of the turbomachine. The receiving grooves extend in a straight line from one face of the plate to the other face of the plate, such that a straight line delimits the receiving groove from each point on the cross section of the receiving groove on one of the faces to the corresponding point on the cross section on the other face. A circular plate is provided and a plurality of receiving grooves are introduced into the plate simultaneously on opposing regions relative to a central axis of rotation of the plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Applicant: MTU Aero Engines AG
    Inventors: Albin Platz, Martin Bussmann, Steffen Gerloff, Nicole Feiling, Anna Carina Kuepper, Norbert Huber, Hermann Klingels
  • Publication number: 20200047270
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of drill holes in difficult to machine materials, in which a removal of material takes place in order to produce a drill hole by electrochemical erosion of material by an electrode that is moved in the longitudinal direction of the drill hole being produced in the direction onto the material to be processed at a feed rate, wherein the drilling has at least two steps, wherein, in the first step, the electrochemical processing takes place, and wherein, in a second step, the further processing of the drill hole to the final diameter takes place by machining processing or by erosion or by an electrochemical processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Applicant: MTU Aero Engines AG
    Inventors: Albin Platz, Nicole Feiling, Anna Carina Kuepper, Norbert Huber
  • Patent number: 9822463
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrode arrangement for the defined rounding or deburring of edges of electrically conductive components, in particular turbine components, by means of electrochemical machining with at least one working electrode (5), which has a tubular electrode carrier, through which an electrolyte inflow line (10) is provided, the electrode carrier having on the front end a closure (13, 18), which is arranged such that the electrolyte inflow line in the axial direction of the electrode carrier is closed, and at least one outlet opening (19) being arranged in the radial direction. Also disclosed is a self-centering electrode arrangement and an installation for the defined rounding or deburring of edges of electrically conductive components by means of electrochemical machining with at least one corresponding electrode arrangement and also a method using the electrode arrangements and the described installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: MTU AERO ENGINES GMBH
    Inventor: Albin Platz
  • Patent number: 9682437
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for electrochemically machining blades of a turbomachine having at least one U-shaped or trapezoidal cross-sectional profile of the surface to be treated, wherein an electrode array having at least three electrodes that can be moved in different directions is provided. The electrodes are moved from a start position having a first distance to the surface to be machined into an end position having a second distance to the surface to be machined, wherein in the end position, a closed work surface of the electrodes having a negative shape of the surface contour of the surface to be machined is located opposite thereof. The invention further relates to an electrode array for carrying out an electrochemical machining, wherein the electrode array comprises at least three electrodes that can be moved in different directions to one another, and to stationary mounting, wherein the electrodes can be moved from a start position to an end position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: MTU AERO ENGINES AG
    Inventors: Albin Platz, Daniela Arbinger
  • Patent number: 9333576
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing and repairing a part comprising at least two joined metal components, especially components of a gas turbine. In said method, corresponding joining surfaces of the components are joined together and connected by means of a pressure welding process, a machining allowance in the area of a joining zone of the two joining surfaces is upset during the joining process, and once the two components have been joined together, the machining allowance is machined by means of a precise electrochemical machining (PECM) process until a predefined final contour of the part has been obtained. The invention further relates to a gas turbine part obtained by means of the disclosed method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: MTU AERO ENGINES AG
    Inventors: Erwin Bayer, Matija Burger, Martin Bussmann, Alexander Gindorf, Albin Platz
  • Patent number: 9254530
    Abstract: A method for removing material from a component that is connected as an anode is disclosed. In an embodiment, an electrode that is connected as a cathode is guided to the component such that a gap is formed, an electrolyte is introduced into the gap, and a closed system is formed for the electrolyte by the formation of a duct. The electrolyte is continuously guided from an inlet opening to an outlet opening of the duct. Forming the duct, e.g., by guide elements that are mounted on the electrode, ensures that only those surface parts of the component to be machined from which material is to be removed enter in contact with the electrolyte while the other surface parts do not enter in contact with the electrolyte. Since the electrolyte is continuously guided across the surface, used electrolyte is continuously discharged along with residual matter while fresh electrolyte is delivered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Bayer, Martin Bussmann, Albin Platz
  • Publication number: 20150027904
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for electrochemically machining blades of a turbomachine having at least one U-shaped or trapezoidal cross-sectional profile of the surface to be treated, wherein an electrode array having at least three electrodes that can be moved in different directions is provided. The electrodes are moved from a start position having a first distance to the surface to be machined into an end position having a second distance to the surface to be machined, wherein in the end position, a closed work surface of the electrodes having a negative shape of the surface contour of the surface to be machined is located opposite thereof. The invention further relates to an electrode array for carrying out an electrochemical machining, wherein the electrode array comprises at least three electrodes that can be moved in different directions to one another, and to stationary mounting, wherein the electrodes can be moved from a start position to an end position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Albin Platz, Daniela Arbinger
  • Patent number: 8801906
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for electrochemically removing a surface of a component (2), in particular a blade of an integrally bladed rotor, comprising at least one electrode (12), which has an outer contour that corresponds to a surface of the component to be produced, and a hydraulic pressure device (14), which has a pressure piston (16) coupled to the electrode (12) and a hydraulic chamber (18) in operative connection with the pressure piston (16) for receiving the hydraulic medium, wherein the pressure piston can be loaded with an actuating force and moved relative to the hydraulic pressure device (14) by means of the hydraulic medium, wherein the hydraulic chamber (18) is fluidically encapsulated relative to the pressure piston (16). The invention further relates to a method for electrochemically removing a surface of a component (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines AG
    Inventors: Albin Platz, Roland Huttner
  • Patent number: 8708682
    Abstract: A method for repairing gas turbine components, in particular gas turbine blades, including at least the following steps: a) preparing a gas turbine component to be repaired; b) removing a damaged portion from the gas turbine component to be repaired, thereby forming a plane separation surface; c) placing the gas turbine component at least partly in a process chamber in such a way that the plane separation surface extends approximately horizontally within the process chamber; d) filling the process chamber with a metal powder that is bonding-compatible with the material of the gas turbine component to be repaired, namely up to the level of the separation surface; e) building up the removed portion on the separation surface by depositing metal powder in layers onto the separation surface and by fusing the metal powder, which has been deposited in layers onto the separation surface, to the separation surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Huttner, Karl-Heinz Dusel, Erwin Bayer, Albin Platz
  • Patent number: 8597491
    Abstract: The invention at hand relates to a method for processing and repairing a metal component with at least one finished or nearly finished partial component surface and at least one working surface to be further processed by means of an electrochemical treatment process and abutting the at least one finished or nearly finished partial component surface, with the process comprising the following steps: a) application of an electrically conductive layer on at least one area of the at least one finished or nearly finished partial component surface abutting the working surface to be processed, with the layer containing a metal or a metal alloy that has a similar or the same as, or a desiredly different electrochemical erosion behavior than the metal component; and b) electrochemical treatment of the working surface and of the layer, with the layer being completely or nearly completely eroded. The invention moreover relates to a component of a gas turbine or of a high or low pressure compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines AG
    Inventors: Albin Platz, Natividad Lopez Lavernia
  • Patent number: 8540861
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing gear wheels, specifically transmission gear wheels, is disclosed. An embodiment of the method includes the following steps: a) preparation of a base body for a gear wheel, b) electrochemical processing of the base body by a precise electrochemical machining process (PECM process), where several recesses running between the teeth of the gear wheel are made simultaneously electrochemically to manufacture the teeth of the gear wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Bayer, Martin Bussmann, Thomas Kraenzler, Michael Lahres, Albin Platz
  • Patent number: 8506792
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the machining of a metallic structural component, particularly a structural component of a gas turbine, by means of finishing with a pulsed electrochemical ablation process, whereby the structural component features a pre-contour, to be finished, with different over-measures. The method is characterized by the following processing steps: a) determination of the different over-measures of the pre-contour, and b) bilateral and simultaneous finishing by means of a simultaneous feed of respectively at least one electrode disposed on different sides of the structural component, whereby the feed velocity of the electrode in the area of the largest over-measure of the pre-contour is higher than the feed velocity in the area of the smaller over-measure of the pre-contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Bayer, Martin Bussmann, Albin Platz
  • Patent number: 8409423
    Abstract: A method for machining workpieces provides a machining electrode, which is guided at a specific distance to the workpiece. An electrolyte is provided between the workpiece and the machining electrode, through which an operating current flows between the machining electrode and the workpiece. The operating current results from an operating voltage (UA), which is produced at the machining electrode, the workpiece being connected to ground. To perform the machining procedure, the distance between the machining electrode and the workpiece is regulated and the operating voltage (UA) is determined in such a way that the resulting operating current is a DC current or a pulsed DC current—i.e., the operating voltage is a DC voltage of fixed or specific dimension. A measuring voltage (UM) is superimposed on the operating voltage (UA) for producing the operating current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Bayer, Martin Bussmann, Thomas Kraenzler, Albin Platz, Juergen Steinwandel
  • Patent number: 8262897
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of aero-dynamic structures during the production of integrally bladed gas turbine rotors. Aerodynamic structures of an integrally bladed gas turbine rotor are produced on a rotor disk base body, whereon the end contours are precise, by removing material according to an electrochemical removal process, i.e. by means of an electrochemical machining (ECM)-process. The method comprises the following steps: a) preparing a rotor disk base body which is made of a material which is difficult to machine; b) removing the material which is between the blade wings until a specific dimension is obtained, according to a removal process; c) preparing at least one working electrode in order to finish at least one aerodynamic structure of an integrally bladed gas turbine rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Bayer, Martin Bussmann, Thomas Kraenzler, Albin Platz, Juergen Steinwandel
  • Patent number: 8187451
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing integrally bladed rotors (preferably gas turbine rotors) is provided. The method includes the steps of a) providing a basic rotor body; b) placing the basic rotor body into an electrolyte; c) electrochemically machining the basic rotor body by simultaneously manufacturing a plurality of unmachined blades; and d) subsequently machining the unmachined blades to provide hydrodynamic surfaces, in particular a suction side and a pressure side, in the area of each unmachined blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Bayer, Martin Bussmann, Thomas Kraenzler, Albin Platz, Juergen Steinwandel
  • Publication number: 20120103830
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for electrochemically removing a surface of a component (2), in particular a blade of an integrally bladed rotor, comprising at least one electrode (12), which has an outer contour that corresponds to a surface of the component to be produced, and a hydraulic pressure device (14), which has a pressure piston (16) coupled to the electrode (12) and a hydraulic chamber (18) in operative connection with the pressure piston (16) for receiving the hydraulic medium, wherein the pressure piston can be loaded with an actuating force and moved relative to the hydraulic pressure device (14) by means of the hydraulic medium, wherein the hydraulic chamber (18) is fluidically encapsulated relative to the pressure piston (16). The invention further relates to a method for electrochemically removing a surface of a component (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: MTU AERO ENGINES GMBH
    Inventors: Albin Platz, Roland Huttner
  • Patent number: 8034228
    Abstract: A method and device for the production of components having a three-dimensionally formed surface by a lowering operation with an electrochemical ablation process, namely a Precise Electro Chemical Machining (PECM) process, is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: a) providing a specially pre-formed workpiece featuring a specific dimensional allowance; b) providing at least one working electrode, in which case the contour of the working electrode, or of each working electrode, is adapted to the contour of the three-dimensionally formed surface to be produced; and c) lowering the three-dimensionally formed surface by placing the pre-formed workpiece and the working electrode, or each working electrode, in an electrolyte and by applying an electrical voltage or an electrical current, in which case the working electrode, or each working electrode, is moved in the sense of a circular advance motion in the direction toward the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Bayer, Albin Platz
  • Publication number: 20110217457
    Abstract: A method for repairing gas turbine components, in particular gas turbine blades, including at least the following steps: a) preparing a gas turbine component to be repaired; b) removing a damaged portion from the gas turbine component to be repaired, thereby forming a plane separation surface; c) placing the gas turbine component at least partly in a process chamber in such a way that the plane separation surface extends approximately horizontally within the process chamber; d) filling the process chamber with a metal powder that is bonding-compatible with the material of the gas turbine component to be repaired, namely up to the level of the separation surface; e) building up the removed portion on the separation surface by depositing metal powder in layers onto the separation surface and by fusing the metal powder, which has been deposited in layers onto the separation surface, to the separation surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Huttner, Karl-Heinz Dusel, Erwin Bayer, Albin Platz
  • Publication number: 20110186442
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the machining of a metallic structural component, particularly a structural component of a gas turbine, by means of finishing with a pulsed electrochemical ablation process, whereby the structural component features a pre-contour, to be finished, with different over-measures. The method is characterized by the following processing steps: a) determination of the different over-measures of the pre-contour, and b) bilateral and simultaneous finishing by means of a simultaneous feed of respectively at least one electrode disposed on different sides of the structural component, whereby the feed velocity of the electrode in the area of the largest over-measure of the pre-contour is higher than the feed velocity in the area of the smaller over-measure of the pre-contour.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: MTU AERO ENGINES GMBH
    Inventors: Erwin Bayer, Martin Bussmann, Albin Platz