Abstract: A method to operate an apparatus for feeding liquid metal to an evaporator device in a vacuum chamber, wherein the feed tube runs from a container adapted to contain a liquid metal to the evaporator device and wherein an electromagnetic pump is provided in the feed tube and a valve in the feed tube between the electromagnetic pump and the evaporator device. An at least partially gas permeable electromagnetic pump, which is enclosed in a pressure controlled enclosure, is used in the method wherein electromagnetic pump and the pressure controlled enclosure are controlled such that filling and draining of the evaporator device and feed tube can be done without affecting the vacuum pressure in the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A method to control the temperature of an electromagnetic pump in an apparatus wherein a liquid metal is supplied through a feed tube from a container adapted to contain a liquid metal to an evaporator device in a vacuum chamber, wherein the temperature of the electromagnetic pump is controlled by controlling one or more of the force exerted on the liquid metal in the container, the current of the electromagnetic pump, and/or the strength of the magnet field of the electromagnetic pump.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding liquid metal to an evaporator device in a vacuum chamber, wherein the apparatus includes a container adapted to contain a liquid metal, a feed tube from the closed container to the evaporator device and an electromagnetic pump provided in the feed tube, and wherein the electromagnetic pump is placed in a vacuum enclosure.

Abstract: A method to control the temperature of an electromagnetic pump in an apparatus wherein a liquid metal is supplied through a feed tube from a container adapted to contain a liquid metal to an evaporator device in a vacuum chamber, wherein the temperature of the electromagnetic pump is controlled by controlling one or more of the force exerted on the liquid metal in the container, the current of the electromagnetic pump, and/or the strength of the magnet field of the electromagnetic pump.

Abstract: Methods of vibration testing a component are provided. In a model of the component, define alignment points corresponding to physical features and define measurement points at positions which vibrate when excited at predefined excitation frequencies (fe), the excitation frequencies (fe) each corresponding to one or more vibrational modes. On the component measure the position of the physical features corresponding to the alignment points in the model and calculate the position of the laser source. Excite the component at an excitation frequency and measure the amplitude of vibration at each measurement point. Extract the mode shape from the measured vibration amplitudes. In the model, rotate a local co-ordinate system (x, y, z) at each measurement point until one axis is directed towards the laser source. Extract the mode shape from the component model. Compare the mode shapes extracted from the model and from measured vibration amplitudes.

Abstract: A method to operate an apparatus for feeding liquid metal to an evaporator device in a vacuum chamber, wherein the feed tube runs from a container adapted to contain a liquid metal to the evaporator device and wherein an electromagnetic pump is provided in the feed tube and a valve in the feed tube between the electromagnetic pump and the evaporator device. An at least partially gas permeable electromagnetic pump, which is enclosed in a pressure controlled enclosure, is used in the method wherein electromagnetic pump and the pressure controlled enclosure are controlled such that filling and draining of the evaporator device and feed tube can be done without affecting the vacuum pressure in the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding liquid metal to an evaporator device in a vacuum chamber, wherein the apparatus includes a container adapted to contain a liquid metal, a feed tube from the closed container to the evaporator device and an electromagnetic pump provided in the feed tube, and wherein the electromagnetic pump is placed in a vacuum enclosure.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for providing a balancing weight in a groove on a rotor disk in a gas turbine engine. The apparatus comprises an elongate reservoir for housing a hardenable material and an inflatable balloon in fluid communication with the distal end of the elongate reservoir. An actuator is provided for forcing the hardenable material from the elongate reservoir to inflate the inflatable balloon with hardenable material within the groove on the rotor disk. A sealing device for sealing the inflated inflatable element to form the balancing weight is also provided.

Abstract: A balancing kit and balancing method is provided for balancing a rotating component. The balancing kit comprises a receptacle and a balancing mass. The balancing mass comprises a pin that may be passed through a corresponding slot in a plate of the receptacle during installation. To complete installation, the balancing mass is rotated so that the pin can no longer pass through the slot, and is instead retained in an installed position in which the pin rests on a lower surface of the plate. The balancing mass can be removed by the reverse process.

Abstract: A tool and method for inserting an externally threaded object into a threaded receiving hole and removing and externally threaded object from the receiving hole. The tool is provided with an outer body that has a holding portion to hold the externally threaded object during insertion or removal. The holding portion may be a thread that corresponds with the thread of the externally threaded object. The tool also has a tightening body inside the outer body that has an engagement portion for engaging a corresponding engageable portion of the externally threaded body. The tightening body is rotated within the outer body to tighten or loosen the externally threaded body. During insertion or removal, the externally threaded body is securely held by the holding portion of the outer body.

Abstract: Methods of vibration testing a component are provided. In a model of the component, define alignment points corresponding to physical features and define measurement points at positions which vibrate when excited at predefined excitation frequencies (fe), the excitation frequencies (fe) each corresponding to one or more vibrational modes. On the component measure the position of the physical features corresponding to the alignment points in the model and calculate the position of the laser source. Excite the component at an excitation frequency and measure the amplitude of vibration at each measurement point. Extract the mode shape from the measured vibration amplitudes. In the model, rotate a local co-ordinate system (x, y, z) at each measurement point until one axis is directed towards the laser source. Extract the mode shape from the component model. Compare the mode shapes extracted from the model and from measured vibration amplitudes.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for providing a balancing weight in a groove on a rotor disk in a gas turbine engine. The apparatus comprises an elongate reservoir for housing a hardenable material and an inflatable element in fluid communication with the distal end of the elongate reservoir. An actuator is provided for forcing the hardenable material from the elongate reservoir to inflate the inflatable element with hardenable material within the groove on the rotor disk. A sealing device for sealing the inflated inflatable element to form the balancing weight is also provided.

Abstract: A balancing kit and balancing method is provided for balancing a rotating component, The balancing kit comprises a receptacle and a balancing mass. The balancing mass comprises a pin that may be passed through a corresponding slot in a plate of the receptacle during installation. To complete installation, the balancing mass is rotated so that the pin can no longer pass through the slot, and is instead retained in an installed position in which the pin rests on a lower surface of the plate. The balancing mass can be removed by the reverse process.

Abstract: A tool and method for inserting an externally threaded object into a threaded receiving hole and removing and externally threaded object from the receiving hole. The tool is provided with an outer body that has a holding portion to hold the externally threaded object during insertion or removal. The holding portion may be a thread that corresponds with the thread of the externally threaded object. The tool also has a tightening body inside the outer body that has an engagement portion for engaging a corresponding engageable portion of the externally threaded body. The tightening body is rotated within the outer body to tighten or loosen the externally threaded body. During insertion or removal, the externally threaded body is securely held by the holding portion of the outer body.