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: A method for producing a coated pull-out guide for baking ovens, the pull-out guide including a guide rail and at least one of a middle rail and a running rail displaceably supported by rolling elements on the guide rail. The rolling elements are guided along tracks on one or more of the guide rail, middle rail and running rail. The method includes the steps of: assembling the pull-out into a unit including one or more of the guide rail, middle rail, and running rail; cleaning a metal surface of at least one of the rails by one or more of a mechanical and chemical cleaning method; and, applying a coating to the cleaned metal surface.

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 process which uses an air jet containing non-abrasive particulate media at a low pressure which selectively removes thermal barrier coatings from components without damaging the metallic substrate. This process selectively removes thermal barrier coatings from the cooling holes of components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the descaling of metal surfaces without the use of caustic substances is provided. The apparatus includes a first and second blast heads containing nozzles that spray high velocity jets of media at a scale covered continuous sheet of steel. The continuous sheet of steel is advanced into an abrading station containing a pair of brush assemblies that include stainless steel bristled brushes. The stainless steel brushes engage the surface of the sheet of steel and abrade away the cracked scale, leaving a surface clean of scale. The surface produced is pH neutral and therefore resists additional corrosion and does not require oil coatings, or other protective treatments. Eliminating these steps makes for a faster, more robust process and saves considerable cost.

Abstract: An impulse generator produces controlled pressure waves for removing ash deposits from heat exchangers in a boiler. The impulse generator has a fuel inlet, an air inlet, an ignitor, an outlet, and a control system for selectively and intermittently igniting the fuel and air to produce the pressure waves. In a first exemplary embodiment, the impulse generator includes a toroidal-shaped body with a tangential air inlet for inducing a helical swirling flow of the fuel and the air. In a second exemplary embodiment, the impulse generator includes a turbulizer with a corkscrew-shaped vane for inducing a helical swirling flow of the fuel and the air. In addition, an exemplary ash deposit removal method includes adjusting the fuel flow, airflow, ignition dwell time, and/or ignition interval time to selectively adjust the combustion mode between deflagrative and detonative combustion.