Patents by Inventor Norman A. Pietruska

Norman A. Pietruska 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).

  • Publication number: 20150167125
    Abstract: A nickel base repair alloy comprises a blend of about 40 to 60 wt % of a first nickel based braze alloy containing boron, about 15 to 35 wt % of a first nickel based filler material, and the remainder consisting of a blend of a second nickel based filler material and a low melting eutectic braze nickel based alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Beth Kwiatkowski Abriles, Norman Pietruska, John H. Hyde
  • Patent number: 8999231
    Abstract: A nickel base repair alloy comprises a blend of about 40 to 60 wt % of a first nickel based braze alloy containing boron, about 15 to 35 wt % of a first nickel based filler material, and the remainder consisting of a blend of a second nickel based filler material and a low melting eutectic braze nickel based alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Beth Kwiatkowski Abriles, Norman Pietruska, John H. Hyde
  • Patent number: 8353444
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for repairing cracks in a turbine engine component. The process comprises the steps of providing a component, preferably formed from a single crystal nickel based material, with at least one crack, applying a repair alloy composition containing a single crystal nickel based alloy, a first nickel based braze alloy and a second nickel based braze alloy to the crack(s), and subjecting the component with the applied repair alloy composition to a thermal cycle to diffuse the repair alloy composition into the crack(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Norman Pietruska, Beth Kwiatkowski Abriles, John F. Falkowski
  • Patent number: 8067711
    Abstract: Microspray apparatus and methods involve injecting powdered material into a plasma gas stream. The material comprises first and second component powders. The second powder is a majority by the weight of the powdered material. The first powder acts as a melting point depressant. The first and second powders may have similar compositions but with the first powder including a greater quantity of a melting point depressant element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Donn R. Blankenship, David A. Rutz, Norman A. Pietruska, Paul H. Zajchowski, Gary Shubert
  • Patent number: 7966707
    Abstract: A method for forming or remanufacturing a component to have an internal space. A refractory metal blocking element is formed, in situ, with at least a portion to be within the internal space. A material is added by at least one of welding, laser cladding, and diffusion brazing, the blocking element at least partially blocking entry of the material to the internal space. The blocking element is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Edward R. Szela, Norman Pietruska
  • Publication number: 20100096368
    Abstract: Microspray apparatus and methods involve injecting powdered material into a plasma gas stream. The material comprises first and second component powders. The second powder is a majority by the weight of the powdered material. The first powder acts as a melting point depressant. The first and second powders may have similar compositions but with the first powder including a greater quantity of a melting point depressant element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Donn R. Blankenship, David A. Rutz, Norman A. Pietruska, Paul H. Zajchowski, Gary Shubert
  • Patent number: 7360678
    Abstract: Novel materials and methods for repairing/reclassifying superalloy components are described herein. These materials are non-traditional blends of materials having a much higher base material content than traditional repair/reclassification materials. In embodiments used to repair/reclassify nickel-based components, these materials may comprise about 5-18.9 weight percent of a low melting point alloy and about 81.1-95 weight percent of a base material. In embodiments used to repair/reclassify cobalt-based components, these materials may comprise about 15-30 weight percent of a low melting point alloy and about 70-85 weight percent of a base material. These materials can be used to repair surface defects and/or build up worn or eroded areas of a component to meet precise dimensional and metallurgical requirements. These materials create robust repaired components having a dense, isothermally solidified structure having minimal borides and a high re-melt temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Norman Pietruska, Walter E. Olson, Beth K. Abriles, David A. Rutz
  • Publication number: 20070272332
    Abstract: A nickel base repair alloy comprises a blend of about 40 to 60 wt % of a first nickel based braze alloy containing boron, about 15 to 35 wt % of a first nickel based filler material, and the remainder consisting of a blend of a second nickel based filler material and a low melting eutectic braze nickel based alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: Beth Kwiatkowki Abriles, Norman Pietruska, John H. Hyde
  • Publication number: 20070102483
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for repairing cracks in a turbine engine component. The process comprises the steps of providing a component, preferably formed from a single crystal nickel based material, with at least one crack, applying a repair alloy composition containing a single crystal nickel based alloy, a first nickel based braze alloy and a second nickel based braze alloy to the crack(s), and subjecting the component with the applied repair alloy composition to a thermal cycle to diffuse the repair alloy composition into the crack(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Inventors: Norman Pietruska, Beth Abriles, John Falkowski
  • Publication number: 20060248719
    Abstract: A method for forming or remanufacturing a component to have an internal space. A refractory metal blocking element is formed, in situ, with at least a portion to be within the internal space. A material is added by at least one of welding, laser cladding, and diffusion brazing, the blocking element at least partially blocking entry of the material to the internal space. The blocking element is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventors: Edward Szela, Norman Pietruska
  • Publication number: 20060163323
    Abstract: Novel materials and methods for repairing/reclassifying superalloy components are described herein. These materials are non-traditional blends of materials having a much higher base material content than traditional repair/reclassification materials. In embodiments used to repair/reclassify nickel-based components, these materials may comprise about 5-18.9 weight percent of a low melting point alloy and about 81.1-95 weight percent of a base material. In embodiments used to repair/reclassify cobalt-based components, these materials may comprise about 15-30 weight percent of a low melting point alloy and about 70-85 weight percent of a base material. These materials can be used to repair surface defects and/or build up worn or eroded areas of a component to meet precise dimensional and metallurgical requirements. These materials create robust repaired components having a dense, isothermally solidified structure having minimal borides and a high re-melt temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Publication date: July 27, 2006
    Inventors: Norman Pietruska, Walter Olson, Beth Abriles, David Rutz
  • Patent number: 6742698
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for repairing components such as blades used in turbine engines. The method comprises the steps of placing a piece of refractory metal material over an area of the component to be repaired and depositing a repair filler metal material over the piece of refractory material in an amount sufficient to repair the component and welding the repair filler metal material in place. The refractory metal material may be selected from the group consisting of niobium, tantalum, molybdenum, tungsten, a metal having a melting point higher than the melting point of nickel, and alloys thereof and may be uncoated or coated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Dilip M. Shah, James T. Beals, Norman Pietruska, Edward R. Szela
  • Patent number: 6725540
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for repairing turbine engine components, such as vanes and blades, which have airfoils. The method broadly comprises removing oxidation debris from portions of the component by blending areas exhibiting thermal barrier coating spall and/or oxidation damage, removing a ceramic insulating layer from the component, and blending surfaces of the component where nicks, dents, and/or cracks are located. If the component has a depleted aluminum zone, the depleted zone is either removed or replenished. Further, a tip portion of the component, if damaged, is restored and tip abrasives are applied to restore the component's cutting ability. Thereafter, a ceramic coating is applied to the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Sudhangshu Bose, Alan D. Cetel, Peter J. Draghi, Norman Pietruska
  • Publication number: 20030226878
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for repairing components such as blades used in turbine engines. The method comprises the steps of placing a piece of refractory metal material over an area of the component to be repaired and depositing a repair filler metal material over the piece of refractory material in an amount sufficient to repair the component and welding the repair filler metal material in place. The refractory metal material may be selected from the group consisting of niobium, tantalum, molybdenum, tungsten, a metal having a melting point higher than the melting point of nickel, and alloys thereof and may be uncoated or coated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Dilip M. Shah, James T. Beals, Norman Pietruska, Edward R. Szela
  • Publication number: 20030167636
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for repairing turbine engine components, such as vanes and blades, which have airfoils. The method broadly comprises removing oxidation debris from portions of the component by blending areas exhibiting thermal barrier coating spall and/or oxidation damage, removing a ceramic insulating layer from the component, and blending surfaces of the component where nicks, dents, and/or cracks are located. If the component has a depleted aluminum zone, the depleted zone is either removed or replenished. Further, a tip portion of the component, if damaged, is restored and tip abrasives are applied to restore the component's cutting ability. Thereafter, a ceramic coating is applied to the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Sudhangshu Bose, Alan D. Cetel, Peter J. Draghi, Norman Pietruska
  • Patent number: 6503349
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for repairing components formed from a single crystal nickel based superalloy. The method comprises the steps of applying a repair alloy to at least one portion of a component formed from the single crystal nickel based superalloy and heating the component with the repair alloy thereon to a temperature that avoids recrystallization and repair zone incipient melting of the single crystal nickel based superalloy. Following the heating step, the component is preferably rapidly cooled and subjected to an aging treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Norman Pietruska, David J. Kline
  • Publication number: 20020185198
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for repairing components formed from a single crystal nickel based superalloy. The method comprises the steps of applying a repair alloy to at least one portion of a component formed from the single crystal nickel based superalloy and heating the component with the repair alloy thereon to a temperature that avoids recrystallization and repair zone incipient melting of the single crystal nickel based superalloy. Following the heating step, the component is preferably rapidly cooled and subjected to an aging treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: Norman Pietruska, David J. Kline
  • Patent number: 6045863
    Abstract: The invention includes a low activity localized aluminide coating for a metallic article made by positioning a coating material, preferably in the form of a tape, on a portion of the article. The coating material comprises a binder, a halide activator, an aluminum source, and an inert ceramic material. The coating material and the article are heated in an inert atmosphere between about 1800.degree. F. (982.degree. C.) and about 2050.degree. F. (1121.degree. C.) for between about four and about seven hours thereby producing a low activity localized aluminide coating having an outward diffusion aluminide coating microstructure characterized by two distinct zones, an inner diffusion zone and an outer zone including between about 20-28 percent, by weight, aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: United Technologies Company
    Inventors: Walter E. Olson, Norman Pietruska, Peter Jon Draghi
  • Patent number: 6022632
    Abstract: The invention includes a low activity localized aluminide coating for a metallic article made by positioning a coating material, preferably in the form of a tape, on a portion of the article. The coating material comprises a binder, a halide activator, an aluminum source, and an inert ceramic material. The coating material and the article are heated in an inert atmosphere between about 1800.degree. F. (982.degree. C.) and about 2050.degree. F. (1121.degree. C.) for between about four and about seven hours thereby producing a low activity localized aluminide coating having an outward diffusion aluminide coating microstructure characterized by two distinct zones, an inner diffusion zone and an outer zone including between about 20-28 percent, by weight, aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: United Technologies
    Inventors: Walter E. Olson, Norman Pietruska, Peter Jon Draghi
  • Patent number: 5922150
    Abstract: An improved method is described for repairing Co-base superalloy gas turbine engine components by applying a mixture of base alloy powder and base alloy powder with a melting point depressant to the surface of the component and heating at 2250-2300.degree. F. to diffuse the melting point depressant isothermally into the base alloy. A protective coating is then applied, during which a heating cycle which ages the base material is used. The resultant component has high temperature creep properties which are significantly better than achieved using the prior art process. The same temperature cycle is also useful in the initial heat treatment of Co-base superalloys, and can also be used for rejuvenation of components which have experienced extensive exposure to engine operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Norman Pietruska, S. Michael Kurpaska