Metallurgically Attaching Preform Patents (Class 29/402.13)
  • Patent number: 7866020
    Abstract: A method for repairing a crack in an electromechanical rotor (10), including forming a plurality of slots (12) on a periphery of a core portion (11) of an electromechanical rotor (10) along an axial direction thereof; inserting coils into the slots (12), respectively; forming a plurality of wedges for maintaining the coils in the slots (12), respectively; and forming a cut hole (20) at the core portion (11) from an outer surface of the core portion (11) so as to remove at least a deeper area of a crack created at the core portion (11) at a contacting surface between the corresponding wedge and the corresponding slot (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Koji Matsuyama, Hideki Chiba, Hiromichi Ito, Yomei Yoshioka, Kazuhiro Saito, Yasuo Kabata, Ryoji Nagano, Hiroaki Koinuma, Kaname Hirai, Toshio Kitajima
  • Publication number: 20100325859
    Abstract: A method for providing weld inlays and onlays to primary nozzles of a nuclear reactor comprising: providing a first welding device in a first primary nozzle of the nuclear reactor; providing a second welding device in a second primary nozzle of the nuclear reactor; providing a third welding device in a third primary nozzle of the nuclear reactor; and operating the first, second and third welding devices at the same time. Other methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: AREVA NP INC.
    Inventors: Gary R. Poling, Brian W. Ring, Ben T. Barnett, Bradley H. Graham, Thomas N. Busic
  • Patent number: 7858897
    Abstract: The invention is a method of repairing an aperture and adjacent defect in a part which is started by removing one or more defects adjacent an aperture in a base material. The material is removed to create a weld seam that extends past an area of high stress concentration on the aperture. An insert of material containing a profile that corresponds to the profile of the base material removed adjacent the aperture and a combination top and runoff plate that encompasses the insert of material are provided. A backing plate is inserted underneath the combination top and runoff plate and insert such that there remains an air space between the backing plate and the combination plate which prevents the combination plate from becoming fused to the backing plate during a welding process. The insert is welded to the base material, and the backing plate is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Philip R. Beranger
  • Patent number: 7850173
    Abstract: A repairable labyrinth seal of a gas turbine engine comprises at least one fin having a base with a thickness and a tip portion extending therefrom. A shoulder distinguishes the base from the tip portion. The shoulder defines a machining site suitable for receiving a welded replacement piece for shaping a new tapered tip portion following removal of a worn tapered tip portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Richard Ivakitch
  • Publication number: 20100281669
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a blisk comprising a disc joined to an aerofoil, wherein a union piece of partially sintered powder and having an alignment feature is provided. The union piece is connected between the disc and the aerofoil, which is aligned relative to the disc by the alignment feature of the union piece. Heat and pressure is subsequently applied to consolidate the first workpiece, union piece and second workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Stephen Tuppen, Wayne E. Voice
  • Patent number: 7802350
    Abstract: The invention is a method of repairing an aperture and adjacent defect in a part which is started by removing one or more defects adjacent an aperture in a base material. The material is removed to create a weld seam that extends past an area of high stress concentration on the aperture. An insert of material containing a profile that corresponds to the profile of the base material removed adjacent the aperture and a combination top and runoff plate that encompasses the insert of material are provided. The insert of material is tack welded to the combination plate to assure a gap of less than about 0.003 inches between the combination plate and the insert. A backing plate is inserted underneath the combination top and runoff plate and insert such that there remains an air space between the backing plate and the combination plate which prevents the combination plate from becoming fused to the backing plate during a welding process. The insert is welded to the base material, and the backing plate is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: David E. Walker
  • Patent number: 7793399
    Abstract: In a method for removing a crack in an electromechanical rotor, a through-hole penetrating from a side of one of slots adjacent to each other via a rotor core portion to a side of the other slot is formed to include a crack in the rotor core portion occurring to a contact surface with a wedge, in an electromechanical rotor including a plurality of slots formed in an axial direction in an outer peripheral surface of the rotor core portion, a coil housed in the slot, a wedge inserted in an upper portion of the slot to be arranged in the axial direction and holding the coil in the slot, and the crack is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Koji Matsuyama, Hideki Chiba, Hiromichi Ito
  • Publication number: 20100205794
    Abstract: An apparatus for repairing steering knuckle (kingpin) bearings includes a table having multiple, adjustable slides for receiving and securing the steering knuckle to the table, a boring bar and cutter, two adjustable bearing supports for receiving and positioning the boring bar along an axis coincident with the axis of the kingpin bearings, a first drive assembly for advancing the boring bar and a second drive assembly for rotating the boring bar. A method of repairing a steering knuckle comprises securing the knuckle to the slides and the slides to the table, utilizing cylindrical centering rings to align the boring bar with the axis of the kingpin bearings, supporting and securing the boring bar on the previously established axis in a pair of bearing supports and rotating and feeding the boring bar and cutter to create new surfaces in the steering knuckle adapted to receive bearing sleeves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: PRECISION MACHINING CORP.
    Inventor: James L. Ebert
  • Patent number: 7739794
    Abstract: A method includes shrink fitting a ring member about a railroad wheel body and metallurically bonding the ring member to the railroad wheel body. A wheel assembly includes an inner portion obtained from a worn railroad wheel, a ring member disposed about the inner portion, and suitable electroplating material disposed on at least one of the faying surfaces. The wheel assembly may be heated under suitable conditions to provide diffusion bonding across interfacing faying surfaces to produce an integral wheel structure. Appropriate quenching, tempering, and finishing processes may be utilized to obtain desired properties. An article formed thereby includes an inner body portion obtained from a worn railroad wheel and a metallurically bonded outer circumferential portion. The outer portion may comprise a composition selected for desired wear characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Thomas Edward Mantkowski
  • Patent number: 7690111
    Abstract: A method for repairing a rotor of a turbine includes providing a rotor having a groove portion defined by a circumferential portion of the rotor. The circumferential portion of the rotor is removed to create an opening to provide access to the groove such that the opening, immediately adjacent the groove, is narrower than the groove. A guide block may be extended into a receiving slot separating a first protruding surface from a second protruding surface of the rotor such that a weld area slot of the guide block extends over at least a portion of the opening. The opening may be welded adjacent the guide block to close at least a portion of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Mechanical Dynamics and Analysis, LLC
    Inventors: James Harvey Coffey, Andrew Otto Ruehs
  • Patent number: 7687151
    Abstract: An overlay for repairing spline and seal teeth of a mated component is disclosed. The overlay is a tube constructed of a weld repair material, the tube having an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface is dimensioned to define an aperture sized to receive a plurality of radially spaced splines of the component, the splines of the component arranged to matingly engage a complementary component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Troy Lance Finton, Thomas Joseph Kelly, Kenneth Eric Lutz
  • Patent number: 7685711
    Abstract: A method of producing a metallic component includes: providing a body made of a first alloy; providing a preform comprising a metallic powder made of a second alloy and formed in the shape of an extension of the body; and heating the preform with microwave energy to sinter the metallic powder together and to bond the preform to the body. The method may be used to make new components as well as to repair or modify existing components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas Joseph Kelly
  • Patent number: 7676897
    Abstract: A method of refurbishing components such as brake rotors and drums is disclosed. The method may involve identifying, sorting and cleaning used or worn components. The components may then be blasted with an abrasive material to prepare them for a metal deposition process. Metal may then be added to the components using an arc spray gun, for example. The component may then be cryogenically treated to improve the wear characteristics of the component. The component may then be machined to place the component within a specified configuration. Components may be refurbished repeatedly in this manner so as to utilize resources more efficiently and reduce waste. Moreover, the components may exhibit improved wear characteristics over components manufactured by other methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Inventor: Robert A. Keate
  • Publication number: 20100050408
    Abstract: Methods for repairing abradable seals of gas turbine engines include providing an abradable seal component of a gas turbine engine, the seal component having a structural substrate; providing a first preform to restore the structural substrate; and providing a second preform to form an abradable layer of the component. Preforms include a multilayer stack having a first layer and a second layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORP.
    Inventors: Michael Minor, Jacob A. Hall
  • Publication number: 20090293253
    Abstract: The invention is a method of repairing an aperture and adjacent defect in a part which is started by removing one or more defects adjacent an aperture in a base material. The material is removed to create a weld seam that extends past an area of high stress concentration on the aperture. An insert of material containing a profile that corresponds to the profile of the base material removed adjacent the aperture and a combination top and runoff plate that encompasses the insert of material are provided. The insert of material is tack welded to the combination plate to assure a gap of less than about 0.003 inches between the combination plate and the insert. A backing plate is inserted underneath the combination top and runoff plate and insert such that there remains an air space between the backing plate and the combination plate which prevents the combination plate from becoming fused to the backing plate during a welding process. The insert is welded to the base material, and the backing plate is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: David E. Walker
  • Patent number: 7591057
    Abstract: A method of repairing spline and seal teeth of a mated component is disclosed. The method includes a low energy input weld to deposit a repair material on the non-worn, non-pressure face of the splines while minimizing the HAZ grain size. The splined area of the component is then remachined to the original spline contour by removing original material from the worn, pressure face of the splines and excess repair material to produce a mated component with radially re-clocked splines that have original component material on the pressure face of the teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Troy Lance Finton, Thomas Joseph Kelly, Kenneth Eric Lutz
  • Publication number: 20090218837
    Abstract: A method includes shrink fitting a ring member about a railroad wheel body and metallurically bonding the ring member to the railroad wheel body. A wheel assembly includes an inner portion obtained from a worn railroad wheel, a ring member disposed about the inner portion, and suitable electroplating material disposed on at least one of the faying surfaces. The wheel assembly may be heated under suitable conditions to provide diffusion bonding across interfacing faying surfaces to produce an integral wheel structure. Appropriate quenching, tempering, and finishing processes may be utilized to obtain desired properties. An article formed thereby includes an inner body portion obtained from a worn railroad wheel and a metallurically bonded outer circumferential portion. The outer portion may comprise a composition selected for desired wear characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas Edward Mantkowski
  • Publication number: 20090211072
    Abstract: Method for joining together steel pipes for conveying fluids under pressure, characterized by the following steps: a) identifying a pipe section to be replaced and intercepting, by means of the creation of suitable points for fastening stopper systems, the fluid flow inside the pipe upstream and downstream of this pipe section; b) after the fluid flow has been intercepted, removing the pipe section to be replaced so as to obtain upstream and downstream thereof two pipe sections; c) inserting along each pipe section protective stopper means, chamfering the edges of the sections and then mounting a sliding sleeve provided with sealing means; d) removing the protective stoppers from the pipe sections and positioning between them a new connection piece, such as a pipe section, a branch-off piece, a valve or the like; e) displacing the sliding sleeves on these pipe sections so that the sealing means are arranged on the new connection piece; f) fixing these sliding sleeves to these pipe sections and to this connect
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Franco VOLTA, Diego Gallerani
  • Publication number: 20090194247
    Abstract: A method for repairing a metallic hollow body including at least one damaged portion to be repaired in a wall enclosing at least one cavity of the hollow body, the wall being a metallic material, is provided. The method includes the steps of filling a settable filling compound into at least one partial area of the at least one cavity; setting the filling compound; removing a predefined partial surface of the wall in an area of the at least one damaged portion; sealing the wall in an area of the removed partial surface by producing a covering element by welding, soldering, or casting-on; and removing the filling compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventor: Bernd Kriegl
  • Publication number: 20090158898
    Abstract: A rotary drag bit for drilling a subterranean formation includes a plurality of support elements affixed to the bit body, each forming at least a portion of a cutting element pocket. Each of a plurality of cutting elements has a substantially cylindrical body and is at least partially disposed within a cutter pocket. At least a portion of the substantially cylindrical body of each cutting element is directly secured to at least a portion of a substantially arcuate surface of the bit body. At least a portion of a substantially planar surface of each cutting element matingly engages at least a portion of a substantially planar surface of a support element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: William H. Sherwood, JR., L. Richard Borremans, Robert J. Costo, JR., James L. Duggan
  • Patent number: 7520043
    Abstract: An annular facing is machined in an inside surface of the spherical wall around the periphery of a zone where the wall has a bore for securing the tube passing therethrough. A first welding material is deposited in the facing, and the bore is made by drilling through a portion of the spherical wall that is surrounded by the facing. The tube is engaged tightly in the bore, and a second welding material is deposited in the facing at the periphery of the tube in order to weld the tube to the first welding material. At least one of the operations of depositing the first and second welding materials in the facing is performed automatically by causing a welding torch to turn around the axis of the bore while moving the torch in a direction that is parallel to the axis of the bore and while causing it to pivot about an axis that is orthogonal to the axis of the bore while rotation is taking place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Framatome ANP
    Inventors: Bernard Bon, Patrick Poret
  • Publication number: 20090013517
    Abstract: A method of repairing a housing for a machine system includes returning an inner diameter of at least one bearing bore of the housing to a uniform diameter state. The at least one bearing bore is prepared for resurfacing via removing deeply entrapped grease from within pores in cast surface material of the housing subsequent to returning the inner diameter to a uniform diameter state. Subsequent to preparing the at least one bearing bore for resurfacing, it is resurfaced with a material different from cast material of the housing and bonded therewith, for example via thermal spray coating. Resurfacing a cast metallic component, of iron, steel, or the like with metal spray coating may include removing deeply embedded grease from pores of cast surface material of a cast component, in preparation for spraying the cast component with metal spray resurfacing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Eric Benz, Robert Sharp, Leslie Caviness, Casey Borden, Bobby McDaniel
  • Patent number: 7437813
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for repairing a probe on a probe card is provided. A plurality of beams is formed on a beam panel. The plurality of beams includes a replacement beam. After identifying a damaged beam on the probe card, the damaged beam is removed from the probe card. The beam panel is aligned with the probe card. After the beam panel is aligned, the aligned beam panel is temporarily affixed to the probe card. After the beam panel is temporarily affixed to the probe card, the replacement beam is affixed at a location previously occupied by the damaged beam. After the replacement beam is affixed at the location, the beam panel is removed from the probe card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: SV Probe Pte Ltd.
    Inventors: Bahadir Tunaboylu, John McGlory, Horst Clauberg, Bruce Griffing, Robert E. Werner, Edward T. Laurent, Edward L. Malantonio, Alan Slopey, Paul Bereznycky
  • Publication number: 20080213092
    Abstract: Methods are provided for repairing a vane assembly, where the vane assembly includes an inner annular housing, an outer annular housing, and a vane extending therebetween. In one embodiment, the method includes removing an identified section of the vane to thereby form a pocket in an inner surface of the outer annular housing, a slot through the inner annular housing, and an edge on the vane, inserting a replacement vane portion with an advanced coating through the formed slot such that a first edge of the replacement vane portion is disposed in the pocket and at least a portion of the first edge is spaced apart from at least a portion of the outer annular housing inner surface, and welding a section of the replacement vane portion to the annular inner annular housing. The repaired vane assembly is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Wen Guo, William F. Hehmann
  • Publication number: 20080207420
    Abstract: A method of at least partially filling a keyway in the metal sleeve of a rolling mill oil film bearing comprises machining a pocket into the keyway. A metal key is provided with a shape complimentary to that of the pocket, with at least one exterior dimension of the key exceeding a respective internal dimension of the pocket. The key is thermally shrunk to reduce its at least one external dimension to an extent sufficient to accommodate insertion of the key in the pocket. The thermally shrunk key is then inserted in the pocket, and allowed to thermally expand, thereby establishing an interference fit between the key and the pocket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Ralph DiVirgilio, Armando S. Martins, Stephen A. Bonazoli, Thomas C. Wojtkowski, Paul K. Lafayette
  • Patent number: 7363688
    Abstract: A Land Grid Array structure is enhanced with a flex film interposer that not only provides a Land Grid Array (LGA) electrical connection between a Multi-Chip Module (MCM) and the next level of integration such as a system board, but also provides a reliable means to implement desired Engineering Change (EC) capability as well as a means for decoupling power to ground structure to minimize switching activity effects on the System. The invention as described can be implemented for EC repair, for Capacitive Decoupling or both, using a removable and restorable engineering change plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. McAllister, John G. Torok
  • Patent number: 7278829
    Abstract: A repaired gas turbine blade includes a turbine blade body having a monocrystalline airfoil made of a first nickel-base superalloy, and a repair squealer tip welded to a tip of the airfoil. The repair squealer tip is made of a second nickel-base superalloy different from the first nickel-base superalloy and having less than about 0.15 weight percent total of carbon, boron, silicon, zirconium, and hafnium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lawrence Joseph Roedl, Rabon Hensley
  • Patent number: 7261784
    Abstract: The method of the invention enables a coating to be made on at least one face to be protected of a metal substrate and/or article in order to improve its performance in terms of resistance to wear by friction, in particular at high temperature. The method comprises the following steps: providing a flexible sheet derived from at least one plate obtained by the technique of casting a strip by silkscreen printing from a viscous material made of a binder and a metal powder of a superalloy; cutting said flexible sheet to the dimensions of said face to be protected of a metal substrate and/or article in order to constitute a preform; placing said preform on said face to be protected of a metal substrate and/or article; and raising the assembly to a temperature enabling a coating to be formed by establishing a bond between said preform and said face to be protected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Snecma Moteurs
    Inventor: Claude Mons
  • Patent number: 7249412
    Abstract: A BLISK having a damaged blade, with a repair region that has a thickness less than a specified thickness as a result of damage during manufacture or prior service, is repaired by depositing repair metal onto the repair region to increase its thickness to greater than its specified thickness dimension. Only the repair region is stress relieved by heating the repair region to a stress-relieving temperature of from about 1150° F. to about 1250° F. for a time of at least about 1 hour. The intentional manipulation of microstructure in only the thinner airfoil sections allows multiple repairs, which are not possible in the thicker sections of the BLISK. An alpha-case thickness of repair metal, preferably of at least about 0.0002 inches of repair metal, is removed from a surface of the repair region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Peter Wayte, Thomas Froats Broderick
  • Patent number: 7231701
    Abstract: Modular PCB and method of replacing one of a plurality of modules of a first PCB are provided. One embodiment of the method includes checking each module of the first PCB and each of a plurality of modules of a second PCB, cutting a malfunctioned module from the first PCB to leave a rectangular vacant area if the malfunctioned module is found, forming a plurality of indents on each side of the vacant area, cutting a good module from the second PCB if the good module is found, forming a plurality of projections on each side of the good module, placing the good module in the vacant area for coupling the indents and the projections, and applying adhesive (e.g., resin) into the coupled indents and projections for fastening the good module in the vacant area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventor: Ho-Ching Yang
  • Patent number: 7222422
    Abstract: A process for refurbishing a worn surface of a shroud support component of a turbomachine, as well as a shroud support component refurbished with the process. The process generally entails removing a surface region of the worn surface so as to define a repair surface on the component. A braze tape formed from a slurry to comprise a braze material and a wear-resistant alloy is then applied to the repair surface, followed by a heat treatment to cause the braze tape to diffusion bond to the repair surface so as to define a built-up surface. The built-up surface is then machined to define a wear-resistant coating on the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bhupendra Kumar Gupta, Edward John Emilianowicz, Thomas J. Kelly, Glenn H. Nichols, Marek M. Steplewski
  • Patent number: 7216428
    Abstract: Physical vapor deposition is utilized to deposit repair material on Ti alloy turbine components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Memmen, James W. Neal
  • Patent number: 7146725
    Abstract: A method of repairing a combustion turbine component having damage located at or near a cooling hole or hollow or geometrically complex portion of the component is provided. The method comprises forming a preparatory groove that extends from a surface of the component to the damaged area but does not extend to the cooling hole or hollow or geometrically complex portion of the component, the groove extending 40–90% the distance from the component to the damaged area; spraying a filler material into the groove with a micro-plasma torch at a current of less than 50 amperes; and filling the groove with the filler material such that the heated filler material substantially extends from the cooling hole or hollow or geometrically complex portion of the component to a surface of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventors: Srikanth C. Kottilingam, Peter J. Ditzel
  • Patent number: 7125227
    Abstract: A monobloc bladed disc and a process for manufacturing or repairing a monobloc bladed disc, where the process includes forming, on a protruding projection belonging to a disc and extending from an upstream end to a downstream end along a protruding projection chord, a welded joint surface intended to allow a subsequent stage of fitting a blade by linear friction welding onto the protruding projection of the disc. The forming the welded joint surface is carried out in such a way that it includes at least two butt-jointed plane portions arranged in sequence along the protruding projection chord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Snecma Moteurs
    Inventors: Danielle Adde, Marie-France Bourgeois, Patrick Lestoille, Jean-Pierre Ferte, Francis Soniak, Gérard Miraucourt
  • Patent number: 7108336
    Abstract: An emergency axle is provided for small trailers normally pulled by automobiles or small trucks. The emergency axle may be carried on the trailer on in the pulling vehicle. In the event an axle is damaged or breaks, the emergency axle is placed over the end of that axle so that the wheel is remounted and the trip continues. The emergency axle has an extension tube for sliding over the end of the damaged axle. One end of the tube is closed with an attachment plate which connects to the brake mounting plate on the trailer axle. The other end of the tube is closed by an axle plate with a stub axle to which the wheel can be mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Air Tight
    Inventor: Henry Dombroski
  • Patent number: 7076017
    Abstract: A seal plate for repairing damaged areas in a pressure vessel cladding includes a first side and an opposing second side and a sealing portion located on the second side, with the sealing portion circumscribing the seal plate. The seal plate also includes a seal lip extending from a periphery of the sealing portion and a cavity located in the second side, with the cavity circumscribed by the sealing portion. The seal plate further includes at least one purge port extending from the first side to the cavity. Each purge port is in fluid communication with the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Henry Peter Offer, Frank Ortega, David Wesley Sandusky
  • Patent number: 7051435
    Abstract: A process for repairing a turbine component comprises overlaying a preform of a brazing material onto a surface of the turbine component, wherein the surface comprises a damaged portion; securing the preform of a brazing material to the surface; and heating the turbine component to a temperature effective to form a brazed joint between the brazing material and the turbine component. Also disclosed is a repaired turbine component repaired by the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Pazhayannur Ramanathan Subramanian, James Anthony Ruud, Laurent Cretegny
  • Patent number: 7047612
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to a method for repairing a casting, and more specifically to a method of repairing a casting by pouring melted filler material into a damaged portion of the original casting. Damaged cast metal components, such as a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine are repaired by preheating the component to a first preheat temperature. The damaged area of the casting is then heated to a higher temperature using a torch and melted filler material is poured into the casting. The torch is used to maintain the temperature of the melted material for thirty seconds to two minutes. The temperature of the filler material is then cooled using compressed air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Bridges, Leonid Chuzhoy, Christopher A Kinney, Jose F. Leon Torres, Stephen E Post, Robert E. Sharp
  • Patent number: 6991434
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing disc-shaped or ring-shaped components subjected to flow. The components are produced by milling and finish machining downstream of the milling, the component being milled out of a workpiece, and a finish machining medium flowing through the component for the finish machining after the milling. The component is milled out of the workpiece in such a way that milling ridges which are produced run approximately perpendicularly to an aerodynamic direction of flow through the component during operation. The direction of flow of the finish machining medium through the component or the rotor disc therefore runs transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the milling ridges appearing during the prior milling step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Heinrich, Johann Schnellbach, Hans Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 6982123
    Abstract: A nickel-base superalloy article, such as a gas turbine stationary flowpath shroud that has previously been in service, is repaired by applying a restoration coating to a surface of the article. The restoration coating is applied by providing a precursor mixture, wherein the precursor mixture has no more than about 15 weight percent chromium and no more than about 0.01 percent yttrium, and wherein the precursor mixture includes a higher-melting-point alloy component and a lower-melting-point alloy component. The precursor mixture is applied to the surface of the article, in a form such as a preform of the alloy components. The article with the precursor mixture applied to the surface thereof is heated to a sufficiently high temperature to melt the lower-melting-point alloy component, thereby forming the restoration coating on the surface of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Edwin Budinger, Brent Ross Tholke, Matthew Nicklus Miller, Warren Davis Grossklaus, Jr., Joshua Leigh Miller, Melvin Robert Jackson
  • Patent number: 6892930
    Abstract: A process for reconditioning worn or out-of-spec components, in particular titanium components and components which in partial areas are designed to receive further components in a positively locking and dimensionally accurate manner, e.g., as grooves, for which purpose the relevant partial areas are machined until a predetermined dimension is reached, spare parts which correspond to the machined partial areas and have the same geometry minus a predetermined soldering gap are produced from a material which is of the same type as the material of the component, and a soldering medium is introduced between machined walls of the partial area and spare part, which are fixedly joined to the component by a soldering process, after which, if necessary, the partial area(s) in question is/are dimensionally accurately machined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventors: Armin Eberlein, Albert Schneider
  • Patent number: 6823585
    Abstract: A method and structure to form surface plating metallization on a substrate. Two layers of tape are applied to the surface of the substrate. A first path is cut through both layers of tape exposing the substrate surface. The first path connects at least one conductive via on the top surface of the substrate. A second path is cut through the second layer of tape exposing the first layer of tape. The second path is routed from the first path to an edge of the substrate A seed layer is deposited over the surface of the second layer of tape thereby creating a seeded plating path in the first path and a sacrificial seeded conduction path in the second path. Connecting the sacrificial seeded conduction path to a plating potential at the edge of the substrate creates a plated path on the surface of the substrate. The sacrificial path is removed when the tape is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mark J. LaPlante, Jon A. Casey, Thomas A. Wassick, David C. Long, Krystyna W. Semkow, Patrick E. Spencer, Robert A. Rita, Richard F. Indyk, Kathleen M. Wiley, Brian R. Sundlof, James Balz, Lori A. Maiorino, Donald R. Wall, Glenn A. Pomerantz
  • Patent number: 6782620
    Abstract: A method enables a portion of combustor dome assembly to be replaced. The dome assembly includes at least one dome cup including at least one swirl cup including a joint that defines a slot therein, and a deflector plate assembly that is coupled to, and extends downstream from, the swirl cup, such that a portion of the deflector plate assembly is securely fixed within the joint slot. The method comprises cutting through an interface formed between the deflector plate assembly and the joint slot, extending the cut substantially between the deflector assembly and the joint slot through the at least one dome cup, removing the deflector plate assembly from the combustor dome assembly, and coupling a replacement deflector plate assembly within the combustor dome assembly that extends aft from the portion of the combustor dome assembly that is upstream from the cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James M. Caldwell, Edward J. Emilianowicz, Gary Scott Loveless
  • Patent number: 6757961
    Abstract: A method to salvage suspensions from defective head gimbal assembly units is presented. Because the performance of a slider becomes more sensitive to signals and the wafer manufacturing process produces a lower yield, a suspension salvage method is developed to recycle a damaged head gimbal assembly in order to minimize material loss. In one embodiment, the salvage method includes separating a gold ball from a bonding pad of the suspension, twisting off the slider attached to the suspension, and dissolving the remaining epoxy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiao Ming Wong, Rock Feng Tao, Wei Yang, Di Peng, Ming Gao Yao
  • Patent number: 6754955
    Abstract: Using sinker electrode discharge machining tools, damaged portions of partitions of the turbine which have been removed and replaced with weld material of increased thickness may be shaped and contoured to blend with the suction and pressure sides of the partitions. The diaphragm containing the partitions is located in a tank containing dielectric material. A numerically controlled EDM machine directs first and second sinker EDM tools having surfaces corresponding to designed surfaces of the trailing edge portions of the partitions applied to contour and shape the opposite surfaces of the weld material to blend with the pressure and suction sides of the partitions. A third EDM tool is used to shape the juncture at opposite ends of each partition with the arcuate surfaces of the inner and outer bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ralph J. Carl, Jr., John Francis Nolan, Bin Wei, Todd Joseph Fischer
  • Patent number: 6751835
    Abstract: The method for reconditioning a used propane gas tank or cylinder comprises the steps of: removing an existing relief valve from the tank; rolling up sheets of aluminum mesh material into mesh inserts and clipping the rolled up sheet with two clips; inserting the aluminum mesh inserts into the propane tank to provide a large wetted surface area inside the tank for increasing the efficiency of vaporization; and replacing the relief valve with a relief valve having a higher CFM rate than is now standard in the lift truck propane gas tank industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Inventor: Ronald L. Fenton
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6701616
    Abstract: Shroud covers for buckets of gas turbines sometimes overlap one another. To repair a shroud cover overlap and preclude further overlap during turbine operation, a first weld bead of high hardness material is applied along the radial inside surface of the overlapping cover and adjacent an intermediate edge of the Z-shaped edges of the covers. Additional weld beads of a more ductile material are applied along the same surface behind the initial weld bead to structurally support the high hardness initially applied weld material. By building up weld material along the inside radial face of the overlapping cover adjacent the overlapped edge of the adjoining cover, the thickness of the overlapping cover is increased to preclude shroud cover overlap during further turbine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eric Garrard Smith, Robert Krummen, Jeffrey Reid Thyssen
  • Patent number: 6651322
    Abstract: An improved rework method and rework wiring structure for repairing and reworking multilayer printed circuit boards utilizing ball grid array (BGA) solder pads are described. The repair method includes the steps of locating a solder pad to be rewired, removing the identified pad, installing a repair wire through a via hole in a multilayer printed circuit board, and forming a replacement solder pad on the end of the repair wire and positioning it in place of the removed pad. Once thus installed, the method includes the step of connecting the other end of the repair wire to a corrected circuit interconnection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Unisys Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas P. Currie
  • Patent number: 6637643
    Abstract: A method for applying at least one bond coating on a surface of a metal-based substrate is described. A foil of the bond coating material is first attached to the substrate surface and then fused thereto, e.g., by brazing. The foil is often initially prepared by thermally spraying the bond coating material onto a removable support sheet, and then detaching the support sheet. Optionally, the foil may also include a thermal barrier coating applied over the bond coating. The substrate can be a turbine engine component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Wayne Charles Hasz, Marcus Preston Borom, Warren Arthur Nelson, James Edward Viggiani, John Zanneti