Abstract: An example method of maintaining a serviceable component of a gas turbine engine includes selecting a used component, using a fluid to move an abrasive against a surface of the used component, and removing material from the used component using the abrasive. In one example, the method moves the abrasive against the surface of the used component when the used component is installed within the gas turbine engine.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for removing condensed metal from the surfaces of metal processing chambers, such as, vacuum induction melting (VIM) furnaces having, for example, condensed Mg or Ti, are disclosed. The methods and apparatus provide a robotic arm end positioned in the furnace having a nozzle operatively connected to a source of dry ice. The robotic arm end directs a stream of dry ice particles against the surface of the furnace to displace condensed metal. The displaced metal is collected for reuse or disposal. Aspects of the invention provide a safe and automated process for cleaning process chambers and recovering metal that can typically be dangerous when performed by conventional methods.

Abstract: A blank tube for cold drawing is used for the production of a longer-length, small-diameter tube such as a heat-transfer tube for steam generation in nuclear power facilities, wherein the blank tube will not cause scoring and chattering vibration in a drawing process. The blank tube is used to produce a cold drawn tube through cold drawing of the blank tube. The average surface roughness Ra (ANSI B46.1) of the inner surface of blank tube before drawing satisfies the condition: 0.10 ?m?Ra?1.00 ?m in the case of a blank tube for cold drawing for use in an oil-lubricated drawing. In particular, the surface roughness Ra satisfies the condition: 0.10 ?m?Ra?0.50 ?m in the case of a blank tube for use in a high-pressure lubrication drawing and made of an austenitic alloy for use in a heat-transfer tube for a steam generator.

Abstract: A rapper device for cleaning a heat exchange surface in a pressure vessel by transmitting impact energy. The rapper device includes a striker and an impacting device for impacting the striker which has one end contacting the heat exchange surface in the pressure vessel. The striker includes a piston section having a piston rod projecting out of the pressure vessel via a passage opening in line with the impacting device. A piston head is slideable within a piston chamber in line with the passage opening. The piston chamber is operatively connected to a sealing gas supply. The piston head is a separate part with an aperture. The piston rod runs through the aperture, e.g., in a slideable arrangement.

Abstract: A method and a rapper device for cleaning a heat exchange surface in a pressure vessel. The rapper device includes a striker rod which has one end contacting the heat exchange surface in the pressure vessel and one end projecting out of the pressure vessel via a passage opening. The rapper device also includes an impacting device for impacting the projecting end of the striker rod. A section of the striker rod is slideably supported in a pressure chamber adjacent the passage opening. The pressure chamber is connected to a sealing gas supply maintaining the pressure in the pressure chamber at a higher level than the pressure in the pressure vessel. A bellows defines a pressure chamber around at least a section of the striker rod.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for removing condensed metal from the surfaces of metal processing chambers, such as, vacuum induction melting (VIM) furnaces having, for example, condensed Mg or Ti, are disclosed. The methods and apparatus provide a robotic arm end positioned in the furnace having a nozzle operatively connected to a source of dry ice. The robotic arm end directs a stream of dry ice particles against the surface of the furnace to displace condensed metal. The displaced metal is collected for reuse or disposal. Aspects of the invention provide a safe and automated process for cleaning process chambers and recovering metal that can typically be dangerous when performed by conventional methods.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for removing condensed metal from the surfaces of metal processing chambers, such as, a vacuum induction metal (VIM) furnaces having, for example, condensed Mg or Ti, are disclosed. The methods and apparatus provide a robotic arm end positioned in the furnace having a nozzle operatively connected to a source of dry ice. The robotic arm end directs a stream of dry ice particles against the surface of the furnace to displace condensed metal. The displaced metal is collected for reuse or disposal. Aspects of the invention provide a safe and automated process for cleaning process chambers and recovering metal that can typically be dangerous when performed by conventional methods.

Abstract: A method for removing mineral scale from tubing is disclosed. The method may include the steps of making a first longitudinal cut along a length of the tubing, making a second longitudinal cut along a length of tubing, and removing a plurality of sections of tubing, wherein the sections of tubing are defined by the first and second longitudinal cuts.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a track mounted in the inlet of a compressor. A manipulator is mounted for movement about the track and carries three modules, the last of which mounts a tool head for movement in a Cartesian coordinate system and about the track. A measuring head measures the location of the airfoil surface. An abrading tool mounted on the third module removes surface material from the airfoil. Subsequently, a shot-peening device, either a flapper with embedded shot or free shot is impacted against the abraded surface to strengthen the surface. Final inspection is performed by a light and camera head mounted on the third module.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are described for dislodging and removing welding slag from the tip of an electric arc welder, particularly a robotically controlled welder. When a torch finishes its welding cycle, it is moved to a designated cleaning point where it is positioned between two positioning blocks. A double lobed cam on the output shaft of a reciprocating air motor turns against a cam follower. The cam causes the cam follower to compress a spring during the lift portion of the cam cycle, and allows the spring to drive the hammer into impact with the tip during the fall portion of the cycle The repeated impact with the tip serves to loosen the slag from the nozzle. The slag then falls and is collected in a basket located beneath the positioning blocks. The motor rotates at a speed of about 200-1000 rpm to move the hammer about {fraction (3/16)}″ for a cleaning cycle of about 5-10 seconds.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are implemented for machining a longitudinally extending slot in a bore of a component. The component is gripped in a gripping device of a workholding device. A cutting operation is performed in order to cut the slot in the bore by a cutting tool. The cutting operation forms burred slot edges. The edges are further machined by inserting a deburring device into the bore. Relative angular reciprocation for a limited angle is imparted between the deburring device and the component.