Repairing, Restoring, Or Renewing Product For Reuse Patents (Class 228/119)
  • Patent number: 6036078
    Abstract: A method of repairing a weak spot in the wall of a vessel, which method comprises (a) securing at least one support element to the wall of the vessel in the neighborhood of the weak spot, wherein the ends of the support element(s) are fixed to the wall of the vessel; (b) covering the surface of the wall around the weak spot by means of a weld overlay in overlay area; (c) causing a support element to elongate by an amount which balances the thermal expansion caused by the welding; and (d) removing the support element after the welding has been substantially completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Ernest Stanley Benn, Simon Kam-Sang Yuen
  • Patent number: 6029879
    Abstract: A friction-stir welding probe tip is disclosed which has right-handed threads on one portion of the probe and left-handed threads on another portion of the probe such that weld material is drawn to the middle of the weld as the friction-stir welding probe is rotated and passed along the joint region of the pieces to be joined. This probe tip is also fitted with a shoulder region for gripping by a rotation means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Inventor: Elijah E. Cocks
  • Patent number: 6029881
    Abstract: A principle of surface interlocking wherein the imperfections of two parallel surfaces deform and interlock under pressure. The surface interlocking enables the combination of a bridging element and a bonding tip of a diffusion bonding apparatus to pick up, transport, position at a unique location, and bond the bridging element in place to the conductors or pads. In the invention a single point bonding tip as part of a bonding apparatus is used to pick up the, to be, bridging metal object transport it to the bonding site and perform the entire bridging bonding operation all in one sequence of steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Pedro A. Chalco, Bruce Kenneth Furman, Raymond Robert Horton, Chandrasekhar Narayan
  • Patent number: 6012624
    Abstract: A tool for soldering pin-in-hole electronic circuit components includes a tool plate with a set of via holes corresponding to the holes of a circuit board on which a circuit component is soldered. The board is aligned with the tool plate and hot gas is supplied through the set of plate vias to reflow solder in the board holes. The tool is particularly suitable for use in removing and replacing pinned circuit components. Use of particular gases (e.g., nitrogen) allows soldering to be carried out without the use of flux. Advantages of the tool are that it prevents burning the circuit board and/or unintentionally reflowing other circuit components mounted on the board (by directing hot gas only substantially onto the circuit board's solder-containing holes).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William French, Stuart Lees, Colin David McCall, Kenneth Skene Murray, Brian Robertson
  • Patent number: 6010058
    Abstract: In a BGA package having electrically connected active balls and electrically disconnected dummy balls, the active balls are positioned in a radial direction at intervals of 90.degree. around the dummy balls. When a defect occurs in a solder joint, the package can be easily repaired by finding defective active ball; forming a repair hole by using a cutting means at a predetermined portion of the printed circuit board corresponding to a central position between the dummy ball and the defectively soldered active ball; inserting a solder paste injector into the repair hole to inject solder thereinto; and mutually connecting pad extensions of the dummy ball and the defective active ball with the injected solder. Therefore, the overall process can be simplified and its reliability can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: LG Semicon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-Gon Kim, Dong-You Kim
  • Patent number: 6003755
    Abstract: Aluminum-lithium alloy sheets which are welded together are examined to identify regions requiring repair. A grid is applied to the sheet about the region requiring repair, and the region to be repaired is ground out and rewelded. Residual stresses are relieved by planishing yes to cause localized plastic deformation in the repaired region. The grid is used as a guide to restoring the original dimensions of the sheet in a manner which tends to reduce in-plane shrinkage. The reduced in-plane shrinkage in turn tends to reduce undesired tensile residual stresses. The planishing also tends to work-harden the weld filler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp.
    Inventors: Sandeep Rajnikant Shah, Lynda Louise Johnston, Julian Ervin Bynum, Samuel Dwight Clark, Benny Floyd Graham, Ronald Brian Renfroe, Patrick Ryan Rogers
  • Patent number: 5975406
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method to repair a void in an aluminum alloy, particularly a void resulting from an exit hole left from friction stir welding (FSW). The method includes machining the void to provide a tapered bore (34) through a parent metal, i.e., the aluminum alloy (30), providing grooves and ridges (36) on a sidewall of the tapered bore, inserting into the bore a consumable tapered plug (38) having an included angle less than, or equal to, that of the tapered bore, and rotating the plug inside the bore under an applied load to plasticize both its surface and the ridges on the parent metal tapered bore. The tapered plug is preferably attached at its proximal end to a nonconsumable heat sink (40) to remove excessive heat generated during rotation of the plug. Also, a support bracket is temporarily attached to the aluminum alloy adjacent the tapered bore to receive a distal end of the plug (38) and to react to the applied load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Murray W. Mahoney, Norman G. Taylor, William H. Bingel, Frederick E. Long, Robert A. Spurling, Gerald S. Steele
  • Patent number: 5971252
    Abstract: The present invention provides an in-process method to repair voids in an aluminum alloy, particularly a friction stir weld in an aluminum alloy. For repairing a circular void or an in-process exit hole in a weld, the method includes the steps of fabricating filler material of the same composition or compatible with the parent material into a plug form to be fitted into the void, positioning the plug in the void, and friction stir welding over and through the plug. For repairing a longitudinal void (30), the method includes machining the void area to provide a trough (34) that subsumes the void, fabricating filler metal into a strip form (36) to be fitted into the trough, positioning the strip in the trough, and rewelding the void area by traversing a friction stir welding tool longitudinally through the strip. The method is also applicable for repairing welds made by a fusing welding process or voids in aluminum alloy workpieces themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Charles D. Rosen, Edward Litwinski, Juan M. Valdez
  • Patent number: 5966308
    Abstract: An apparatus for upgrading/repairing existing piping systems of a nuclear reactor without removal/replacement of the old piping. The process involves the steps of machining a counterbore of exposed corrosion-susceptible material and then depositing a corrosion-resistant weld material, thereby isolating the weld joint from corrosion susceptibility. A tool is inserted into the inside diameter of the piping system through an inspection port, valve body or segment removal. Then a tool mounting fixture equipped with axial and rotational capabilities is positioned in relation to the weld joint and locked in place. The tool mounting fixture remains locked in place throughout the entire repair process. A work surface mapping module is programmed to first gather relative reference points throughout the entire repair region. Upon data acquisition completion, the system creates a map of the existing inside diameter configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Benedict Kazirskis, James Cassidy Donohue
  • Patent number: 5941445
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for refurbishing eroded portions in coke oven doorjambs including refurbishing apparatus having a framework attached to the coke oven structure adjacent the doorjamb. The framework supports a carriage that is simultaneously moveable in an "X" axis direction and a "Y" axis direction within the boundary so that a machine-cutting tool, attached to the carriage, can be moved from one position directly to another position within the framework boundary. The machine-cutting tool is positioned to make cutting passes alone new metal that is fused into the eroded portions of the coke oven doorjamb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Bethlehem Steel Corporation
    Inventor: Alvin M. Nestler
  • Patent number: 5914055
    Abstract: A system for repairing worn, distorted, cracked, or degraded portions of high temperature rotors such as those used in high-pressure and reheat steam turbines is disclosed. The repairs are applicable to low alloy steels generally described in ASTM Specification A-470 classes 3, 7, and 8. Explicit controls on the welding process, the welding consumables, and the placement of the weld fusion line are disclosed. For the welding process, a novel staging of the "relative heat input" for applying the initial cold wire gas tungsten arc weld (GTAW) buttering layer is disclosed. Significantly, the optimum weldment properties are achieved in the cold wire GTAW by utilizing a lower heat input for the crucial second layer relative to the first layer. Faster deposition or weld build-up is achieved over the buttering layer by applying the balance of welding through utilization of the hot-wire GTAW process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Tennessee Valley Authority
    Inventors: Blaine W. Roberts, William H. Zielke, Arun Puri, Michael Jirinec, Frank Novak
  • Patent number: 5908044
    Abstract: An apparatus for injecting sealant into the packing chamber of a valve requiring no venting of pressure within the valve. The apparatus which includes an interior valve is attached to the valve body by drilling and tapping a connection or by friction welding. A high pressure packing gland is attached to the apparatus and a drill bit is passed through the combination to complete an opening into the packing chamber. The drill bit is withdrawn past the interior valve, which is closed and then out of the combination. The packing gland is removed and a sealant injection device attached. The interior valve is opened and sealant injected into the packing chamber. The valve is closed, a completion plug installed into the end of the fitting, and a completion cap with a sealing ring is installed over the entire valve and fitting, thereby forming multiple redundant seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Team, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. (Pat) Kearns, George W. Harrison
  • Patent number: 5898994
    Abstract: A method for repairing an environmental protective coated article portion of a gas turbine engine article made of a Ni base superalloy including Cr and at least about 6 wt. % total of Al and Ti comprises removing the coating, exposing the article portion to a reducing mixture of gases including, by weight, greater than 6% up to about 20% hydrohalogen gas with the balance principally hydrogen gas, and preferably about 10-15 wt. % hydrogen fluoride gas. Exposure is at a temperature in the range of about 1600.degree.-2000.degree. F. for a time, greater than about 2 hours, and preferably about 2-10 hours, sufficient to remove from within the article portion metal sulfides, Al, Ti, oxides of Al or Ti, or their combinations. Then the article portion is recoated. One form relates to weld repairing the article portion by removing Al or Ti or both to a depth up to about 0.003".
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Merrill A. Miller, Jeffrey J. Reverman, Lyle T. Rasch
  • Patent number: 5897801
    Abstract: An article made of a nickel-base superalloy having a nil-ductility range from the solidus temperature of the alloy to about 600.degree. F. below the solidus temperature is welded, as for example in the weld repair of surface cracks, by removing foreign matter from the area to be welded, first stress relieving the article, adjusting the temperature of the article to a welding temperature of from about 1800.degree. F. to about 2100.degree. F., welding a preselected area in an inert atmosphere at the welding temperature, and second stress relieving the article. Welding is preferably accomplished by striking an arc in the preselected area so as to locally melt the alloy in the preselected area, providing a filler metal having the same composition as the nickel-based superalloy of the article, and feeding the filler metal into the arc so that the filler metal is melted and fused with the article to form a weldment upon solidification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Russell W. Smashey, Thomas J. Kelly, John H. Snyder, Ronald L. Sheranko
  • Patent number: 5894053
    Abstract: In a process for applying a metallic adhesion layer for thermally sprayed ceramic thermal barrier coatings to metallic components, the surface which is to be coated being cleaned in a first process step, so that the metallic surface is free of grease and oxide, a binder is applied to the metallic surface of the base material in a second process step. Metallic adhesive powder is applied uniformly to the binder in a third process step and solder powder, which has a smaller particle size than the adhesive powder, is applied uniformly to the binder in a fourth process step. After drying the binder, a heat treatment is carried out for the purpose of soldering. The adhesion layers produced in this way are rough and provide a considerable positive lock for the ceramic thermal barrier coatings which are to be sprayed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventor: Reinhard Fried
  • Patent number: 5875539
    Abstract: A process for repairing leaks in turbine generators that have water cooled stator coils with hollow conductor strands, wherein the lead ends of the conductor strands are joined to a header. First a vacuum enclosure is provided around a portion of one of the stator coils in proximity to the header. Then a vacuum is applied to the portion. Finally, a resin is injected into voids in the portion. In a second embodiment, the header first is cut into an outboard section, and into an inboard section that remains attached to the conductor strands. Then the exposed lead ends of the conductor strands and the attached inboard section are cleaned to remove oxidation. Next, a water-tight braze seal is applied over the lead ends of the conductor strands. Then the stator coil and the inboard section are joined to a new outboard section and a vacuum is subsequently applied to the inboard section. The resin is then injected into voids in the inboard section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Leslie Kilpatrick, George Franklin Dailey
  • Patent number: 5873703
    Abstract: A surface defect in a gamma titanium aluminide article is repaired by weld repairing the defect and thereafter sealing the surface-connected cracks in the weldment. The surface-connected cracks are repaired by applying to the region of the weldment a powder of a brazing filler metal that is compatible with the gamma titanium aluminide alloy and with the weldment, and thereafter heating the article to a brazing temperature above the liquidus of the brazing filler metal. The article is preferably hot isostatically pressed after the repair is completed to close internal defects that cannot otherwise be closed due to the surface connected cracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Kelly, Russell W. Smashey, Eric J. Boerger, Ronald L. Sheranko
  • Patent number: 5871139
    Abstract: Coating a structure such as a brazed joint with a powdered wicking agent, preferably mixed with a fugitive liquid binder to form an adherent slurry, then heating the joint to allow the brazing alloy to melt and be drawn into the powdered wicking agent by capillary action. After cooling, the powder and braze alloy are mixed together to form a loosely consolidated mass which can be readily removed by mechanical and/or chemical means so that the components can then be separated for repair or reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Praxair S.T. Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig R. Moyer
  • Patent number: 5839643
    Abstract: In a weld-coupling portion 3 which is formed by fitting an inner peripheral surface 2b of an end portion of a pump shell 2 to a lower-step surface 4a of a stepped portion 4 formed on an outer peripheral surface of an end portion of a front cover 1 of a torque converter and then welding them together while abutting an end surface 2a of the end portion of the pump shell 2 with a stepped surface 4a of the stepped portion 4 of the front cover 1, the weld-coupling portion 3 is cut down to a level of the lower-step surface 4a of the front cover 1 in such a predetermined cutting width as to evenly cut a front cover side and a pump shell side of the weld-coupling portion 3 in order to separate the front cover 1 and the pump shell 2 apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yutaka Giken
    Inventors: Koji Inoue, Takashi Ogai
  • Patent number: 5833126
    Abstract: An apparatus for repairing curved grinding surfaces in bowl mill coal pulverizers by welding hardfacing material onto the grinding ring surface. The inventive apparatus includes novel guide structure imparting an arcuate motion to the welding torch as it traverses the grinding surface. In a preferred form a welding torch is pivotally mounted about an axis at or near the center of curvature of the grinding surface, pivoted along the circumference of the curved grinding surface to effect welding repairs. The pivotal positioning and motion of the welding torch assures a constant distance and angle relative to the grinding surface, and thus a strong, primary, non-overlapping weld bond across the entire width of the ring. In a preferred form the apparatus employs dual, independently adjustable, simultaneously indexed torch heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Sure Alloy Steel, Inc.
    Inventors: Rickey E. Wark, Carl J. Myer
  • Patent number: 5826337
    Abstract: The disclosed invention is an improved closing wheel attachment mechanism which has longer wear life than that of the typical attachment mechanism. The closing wheel arm on an agricultural planter has installed thereon an improved grease bushing assembly which has increased wear surface and the capability to utilize a grease on the surface. The combination of increased wear surface and greasing will greatly increase the operational life of the planter. Also included in the invention is the process and fixturing to incorporate the improved configuration on to an existing planter closing wheel structure. Included in this attachment mechanism is a welding jig which assures proper alignment of the improved bushing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: May-Wes Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen O. Klinkner, Larry R. Hancock
  • Patent number: 5811755
    Abstract: Aluminum-lithium plates are butt-welded by juxtaposing the plates and making a preliminary weld from the rear or root side of the seam. An initial weld is then made from the face side of the seam, which may cause a defect in the root portion. A full-size X-ray is made and overlain over the seam to identify the defects. The defect is removed from the root side, and rewelded. Material is then removed from the face side, and the cavity is rewelded. The procedure repeats, alternating from the root side to the face side, until the weld is sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp.
    Inventors: William Floyd McGee, Daniel John Rybicki
  • Patent number: 5809641
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficiently repairing or reworking a printed circuit board having a solder ball grid array thereon efficiently and at minimum cost includes the steps of drilling out a plated-through hole to sever electrical connections between a ball grid array pad on one surface of the printed circuit board and internal circuits and circuits on an opposite surface of the printed circuit board; inserting a pin having an insulated sleeve surrounding a portion thereof into the drilled-out hole, the pin having attached to one end a wire for attachment to the ball grid array on one surface of the printed circuit board and a post at the other end of the pin for attachment of a wire to the post; the pin having a stop along its length to control vertical positioning of the pin in the drilled-out hole, the pin referred to as a via replacement (VR) pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Harris Crudo, John Gillette Davis, Christian Robert Le Coz, Mark Vincent Pierson, Amit Kumar Sarkhel, Ajit Kumar Trivedi
  • Patent number: 5806751
    Abstract: A method of repairing a metallic alloy article having a defect cavity greater than about 0.010 inches (2.5.times.10.sup.-4 m) in maximum width is disclosed. One aspect of the invention includes providing a first metallic filler material (10) in the defect cavity such that the first metallic filler material (10) substantially fills the cavity. The composition of the first metallic filler material (10) corresponds substantially to that of the metallic article. A second metallic filler material (12) is provided over the first metallic filler material (10). The second metallic filler material (12) includes between about 0 wt. % and about 40 wt. % metallic filler material of a composition corresponding substantially to the metallic article, and between about 100 wt. % and about 60 wt. % metallic filler material having the same basis as the composition of the metallic alloy article and including a melting point depressant in an amount substantially in excess of that in the metallic alloy article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Robert P. Schaefer, William F. Bender, Matthew J. Arnold
  • Patent number: 5806753
    Abstract: A method of forming a bond structure for use with integrated circuits and semiconductor electronics and carrier assemblies is disclosed. Metallurgical paste is screen printed through a stencil and the stencil is left in place during the reflow process. The melting point of the bond structure and the metallurgical paste is lower than the melting point of interconnects on the electronic components and less than the decomposition temperature of the carrier assemblies to which the electronic components are bonded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Daniel Bielick, Mark Kenneth Hoffmeyer, Phillip Duane Isaacs, Thomas Donald Kidd, David Allen Sluzewski
  • Patent number: 5794331
    Abstract: A process for exchanging a detection module hybridized by welding beads, balls or bumps, employs an interconnection support having first and second groups of welding elements. The module to be hybridized is provided with blocks wettable by the weld, and positioned facing elements of the first group during hybridization. A replacement module is provided with blocks wettable by the weld and positioned facing elements of the second group during hybridization. The module which has been hybridized is dehybridized, and the replacement module is hybridized by means of the second group of elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Michel Ravetto, Jean-Paul Chamonal, Fran.cedilla.ois Marion, Jean-Louis Pornin
  • Patent number: 5762727
    Abstract: A method for weld repairing an article formed of a low-alloy steel, such as a steam turbine component. The method generally includes the step of depositing a first weld repair (14) on a surface of the article, during which a hard heat-affected zone (HAZ) (18) having a fine grain size is formed in the article beneath the surface on which the weld repair (14) is deposited. The first weld repair (14) and at least a portion of the HAZ (18) adjacent the first weld repair (14) are then locally heat treated at a temperature above a critical temperature A.sub.1 of the alloy from which the article is formed. As a result of this localized heat treatment, the original grain structures of the first weld repair (14) and the HAZ (18) are entirely replaced with a fine-grain structure with acceptable hardness. Thereafter, at least one additional weld repair layer (16) is deposited on the first weld repair (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gerald Richard Crawmer, John Francis Nolan
  • Patent number: 5760371
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for repairing leaks in turbine generators that have water cooled stator coils with hollow conductor strands. Such generators have a tendency to leak where the stator coil joins a header. Once a leak is detected the repair is accomplished by following the steps off the invention. First, the header is cut into an outboard section, and into an inboard section that remains attached to the conductor strands. Second, the exposed lead ends of the conductor strands and the attached inboard section are cleaned to remove oxidation. Third, a water-tight braze seal is applied over the lead ends of the conductor strands. And finally, the stator coil and the inboard section are joined to a new outboard section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventors: George F. Dailey, Gary W. Swartzbeck, Greyson L. Mellon, Michael T. O'Leary
  • Patent number: 5735448
    Abstract: A repair coating for superalloy articles, such as gas turbine engine components, includes a volatile organic carrier or water-based carrier, a fluxing agent, a thickening agent, balance a filler mix. The filler mix consists of at least two distinct particulate components. The mix includes a first particulate component having a composition which approximates that of the article being repaired. The mix also includes a second particulate component having a composition approximating that of the article and a melting point depressant, such as boron. This melting point depressant is substantially in excess of that in the article and sufficient to provide melting of a portion of the mix at a processing temperature below the melting temperature of the article. The above filler mix is blended with the other constituents to form the repair coating which is applied to an article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Draghi, Norman Pietruska, Wayne K. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 5722579
    Abstract: Multi-chip modules provided with a pin array may, under close scrutiny, display certain defects that may cause reliability problems. The presence of even one such defect necessitates the scrapping of the module. A method of salvaging the module is described, wherein the module is reworked by the method comprising the steps of applying a shearing force against the pins. During which the module is exposed to a temperature at or above that which is necessary for softening the braze material to remove the pins; polishing the surface of the module including the pads; evaporating the new pads; and attaching new pins to the pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Roy Yu, James Patrick Wood, Thomas Michael Biruk, Gregory Scott Boettcher, William Harrington Brearley, Kimberley Ann Kelly, Bouwe William Leenstra, Arthur Gilman Merryman
  • Patent number: 5704765
    Abstract: A low pressure steam turbine and generator low alloy steel disc rotors with extended useful life properties. A ring member of the disc rotor has disposed on it multiple weld layers of ferrous material, forming a weld region. The ring member is made of a low alloy ferrous metal alloy having less than about six weight percent alloying ingredients including chromium. The chromium content of the weld region increases overall from a portion of the weld region adjacent to the ring member to a portion of the weld region farthest from the ring member. This general increase is accomplished using weld metal of a single chromium concentration of between 9% and 17% chromium and varying the welding parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis Ray Amos, Sallie Ann Bachman, Jianqiang Chen
  • Patent number: 5679464
    Abstract: The present invention provides a joined product of heat-resisting alloys, comprising heat-resisting alloy sheets or foils optionally having an oxide film on their surfaces, said heat-resisting alloy sheets or foils being joined to each other at their surfaces facing each other with an composite having a melting point in the range of from 800.degree. to 1400.degree. C. The joined product of heat-resisting alloys is produced by putting the above-described composite oxide on a heat-resisting alloy in a sheet or foil form at its portion to be joined, putting another heat-resisting alloy in a sheet or foil form and heating the resulting assembly at a temperature of 9/10 or more of the melting point of the composite oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Shogo Konya, Akira Okamoto
  • Patent number: 5655701
    Abstract: Repairing an abradable seal includes the step of removing only a portion of the abradable material 38. Various detailed steps have been developed that speed repair time and decrease repair costs over methods removing all abradable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Louis S. Quattrocchi, Walter H. LaPointe
  • Patent number: 5641112
    Abstract: This invention provides a plate assembly to be used with a soldering device for changing screens of circuit boards by soldering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Inventors: Vahid Moradi, Farid Moradi
  • Patent number: 5606796
    Abstract: A method of repairing a turbine blade which includes performing a heating operation on the blade in which the blade is heated to achieve a predetermined temperature distribution, sensing the temperature of the blade at least at one position by temperature sensing means and controlling the application of heat in accordance with the temperature determined by said at least one sensing means and monitoring the temperature of the blade at a location adjacent said at least one position with a monitoring means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Turbine Blading Limited
    Inventor: Michael J. Fraser
  • Patent number: 5584662
    Abstract: A wide gap braze repair, particularly for a gas turbine engine vane or a component in the hot section of the engine. The repair is characterized by a braze filled void in a damaged area of the component, a laser shock peened surface over the repaired area of the braze filled void, and a region of deep compressive residual stresses imparted by laser shock peening (LSP) extending from the laser shock peened surface into the repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Seetharamaiah Mannava, Stephen J. Ferrigno
  • Patent number: 5581869
    Abstract: The method includes repairing the stator bar end fittings used for the electrical and hydraulic connections at the stator bar ends of a generator with suitable integrity to be as good as new or better than an in-kind replacement with new components for the stator bar. The method addresses the need to repair leaks in liquid cooled generator end windings and the respective end fittings. In particular, the method repairs leaks that develop between the joints of interior adjacent strands and between the outermost strands and the end fitting. The method employs the replacement of the original end fitting with another end fitting similar in geometry. A majority of the original end fitting along with the original window (if any) is preserved and utilized as a ring to surround and compress the strand bundle, with the original braze intact, thus preserving the original geometry of the strand bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventor: Andrew J. Travaly
  • Patent number: 5575417
    Abstract: Apparatus and processes for desoldering and soldering an insulator-encapsulated contact using a focused heat source and thermal choke in the form of a soldering iron tip and a contact moat. The desoldering and removal process includes the following steps. Securing the housing to minimize movement thereof. Heating a soldering iron to approximately 825.degree. C. Tinning the tip of the soldering iron with solder and flux. Engaging the contact from the rear using an extraction tool. Disposing flux on the solder joint. Contacting the soldering iron with the contact. Disposing the soldering iron in the moat while outward pressure is exerted with an extraction tool. After a predetermined delay, using the extraction tool to vacuum out the contact, while simultaneously removing the soldering iron and pushing out the contact, whereafter the contact is desoldered and seated in the extraction tool. Removing the contact from the extraction tool and removing the tool from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventors: Robert C. Allison, Jonathan W. Chan, Garrett I. Kurogi, Brian C. Semmelroth, James C. Tonder, Kenneth S. Varon
  • Patent number: 5560841
    Abstract: A method in which the interface at which two components are bonded together, by a bonding material that has a lower melting temperature than the material from which the components are made, is heated to the melting temperature of the bonding material, allowing the components to be separated without cutting any of the interface material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas DeMichael, David N. Cunningham, Philip G. Seeley
  • Patent number: 5553370
    Abstract: A method for repairing the ends of turbine blades is set forth which includes positioning the blade end at a backing plate, depositing layered weldment on the plate and thereafter machining the deposited weldment to fashion the repaired blade end. A blade having its end fashioned according to the method is also set forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Inventor: John Pepe
  • Patent number: 5553766
    Abstract: Deformation of a lifting ring of bimetallic structure or memory metal is matched to a solder softening or melting temperature to apply forces to lift a chip from a supporting structure, such as a substrate or multi-chip module, only when the solder connections between the chip and the supporting structure are softened or melted. The temperature of the chip, module and solder connections there between is achieved in a commercially available box oven or belt furnace or the like and results in much reduced internal chip temperatures and thermal gradients within the chip as compared to known hot chip removal processes. Tensile and/or shear forces at solder connections and chip and substrate contacts are much reduced in comparison with known cold chip removal processes. Accordingly, the process is repeatable at will without significant damage to or alteration of electrical characteristics of the chip or substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond A. Jackson, Kathleen A. Lidestri, David C. Linnell, Raj N. Master
  • Patent number: 5551623
    Abstract: Process for welding two blade parts (9, 10) by a means such as a linear friction welding machine, in which a collar or flange (15) of material to be sacrificed is placed between the contact surfaces (16) or around the latter in order to increase the heat produced by the friction at the leading and trailing edges of the blade. As a result of this arrangement it is possible to start with two blade parts (9, 10) having the dimensions of the finished product, possibly with the exception of the area around the contact surfaces, so that the final machining is very significantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation "SNECMA"
    Inventors: Andre C. F. Collot, Jean-Pierre Ferte, Roger Jolly
  • Patent number: 5549767
    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.degree.-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: July 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Norman Pietruska, S. Michael Kurpaska
  • Patent number: 5542601
    Abstract: A new rework process for semiconductor chips mounted in a flip chip configuration, via solder balls, on an organic substrate is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Fallon, Miguel A. Jimarez, Joseph E. Zdimal
  • Patent number: 5536605
    Abstract: A repaired laser ablation mask is disclosed capable of withstanding laser fluences in the range from about 200 mJ/cm.sup.2 to at least 500 mJ/cm.sup.2. The repaired mask comprises a single or multiple layers of apertured metal, such as, aluminum, on a quartz substrate. The laser mask repair technique and structure are also disclosed. The thickness of the metal layer, such as, aluminum layer, is in the range from about 2 microns to about 6 microns. A laser projection etching technique is also disclosed for using the repaired ablation mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rajesh S. Patel, Laertis Economikos
  • Patent number: 5515589
    Abstract: A method for upgrading/repairing existing piping systems of a nuclear reactor without removal/replacement of the old piping. The process involves the steps of machining a counterbore of exposed corrosion-susceptible material and then depositing a corrosion-resistant weld material, thereby isolating the weld joint from corrosion susceptibility. A tool is inserted into the inside diameter of the piping system through an inspection port, valve body or segment removal. Then a tool mounting fixture equipped with axial and rotational capabilities is positioned in relation to the weld joint and locked in place. The tool mounting fixture remains locked in place throughout the entire repair process. A work surface mapping module is programmed to first gather relative reference points throughout the entire repair region. Upon data acquisition completion, the system creates a map of the existing inside diameter configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Benedict Kazirskis, James C. Donohue
  • Patent number: 5511721
    Abstract: A preform insert for use in preventing the flow of a braze or solder material into a void in an article during a brazing or soldering operation. The insert is particularly suited to brazing techniques for repairing stator vanes of a gas turbine, though equally effective for use in the manufacture or repair of other articles, as well as soldering operations. The preform insert is composed of a refractory metal oxide powder dispersed in a polymeric solid such that the preform insert is solid yet relatively flexible. As such, the preform insert can be formed to be appropriately shaped and sized to fill a void in an article, such that the void will remain open after the brazing or soldering operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Wayne A. Demo, John R. Planchak
  • Patent number: 5479704
    Abstract: A repair process for blades of turboengines damaged in the head or edge regions in which the damaged regions are first separated to leave an undamaged blade stump with an exposed, repair surface. The repair surface of the blade stump is prepared for butt welding and a repair plate of constant thickness which exceeds the maximum profile height of the blade by more than 50% is provided with a front surface adapted to the repair surface. This front surface of the repair plate is abutted against the repair surface and the blade stump and the repair blade are then butt welded. The weld joint and the repair plate are machined to the profile contour of the blade stump and to the desired blade profile. This process is used for the repair of blades of integral rotor disks of turboengines, particularly for blades of integral compressor impellers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: MTU Motoren-und Turbinen Union Munchen GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Hermann Richter, Reinhold Meier, Thilo Schmitt, Bernd Stimper
  • Patent number: RE35116
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for injecting sealant into a packing assembly chamber surrounding a valve stem 11 of a valve 2 without venting the pressure within the valve 2. A cylindrical body 60 is frictionally welded to the exterior of the valve 2 adjacent the packing assembly chamber. A drill bit is passed into the body 60 and through a set of packing seals 87. An opening is completed into the packing chamber. As the drill bit is withdrawn from the body 60, a second valve 70 is manually "closed" to isolate the packing chamber from the drill bit and prevent the escape of pressurized fluid when the drill bit is removed from the seals 87. Thereafter, a device for injecting sealant is attached to the body 60 and the valve 70 is "opened" to allow the sealant to flow into the packing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Inventors: Johnny L. Butler, Richard Wakeland, Donald R. Batson, Robert E. Metzger
  • Patent number: RE35756
    Abstract: Starting on the surface of a foundation body (2) weld material is applied in runs to form layers by an equipment for profiling building-up welding and hence a workpiece (1) is manufactured, where the foundation body (2) may be a component of the workpiece (1). The course of runs to form layers as well as the approximate rate of application of weld material are calculated by a computer system (11), starting from a two- or three-dimensional data model of the workpiece (1) in the form of software, and given over to the system control (10) which positions the welding torch (7) by means of the robot (5) and the workpiece (1) located on a turntable (4) by a clamping mechanism (3) with respect to one another, and regulates the rate of application of weld material applied by the welding apparatus (8) in such a way that the liquid weld material adheres to the layer lying underneath without running down and irregularities in the runs to form layers are levelled out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Sulzer Hydro AG
    Inventors: Fritz Schneebeli, Oliver Braun, Bruno Tanner, Roger Dekumbis