General Electric Company

Carter Cook

John Francis Nolan

Mark Edward Burnett

John Matthew Sassatelli

Andrew John Tomko

Dennis William Roberts

Todd Joseph Fischer

David Roy Parker

Lawrence Michael Grycko

Engelbert John Paauwe

Jeffrey Paul Cutler

Aaron Paauwe

A method of welding a bearing is provided. The method includes providing an apparatus including at least one welding torch and a processor, positioning a holding fixture proximate the apparatus, securing a bearing in position in the holding fixture, applying a bead of weld to facilitate repairing a damaged surface of the bearing and incrementally rotating the bearing with the apparatus.

Method and system of welding a bearing

A multi-functional rotary turning and positioning apparatus and method for performing multiple service operations on a turbomachinery rotor while the rotor remains continuously supported with the apparatus. The apparatus includes a platform, a rotary headstock mounted to the platform, a spindle coupled to and rotatably supported by the headstock and adapted for coupling to a turbomachinery rotor, bearing pedestals mounted to the platform and adapted for rotatably supporting the rotor, at least one motor for turning the spindle at least two different rotational speed ranges, equipment mountable to the platform for performing multiple service operations on the rotor, and equipment for controlling the rotational speed and position of the spindle for the purpose of performing the service operation with the operating equipment.

Multi-functional rotary turning and positioning apparatus and method

Bucket tip tenons requiring refurbishment are removed from the bucket tips by grinding. Groups of buckets are clamped on a rotatable table in positions adjacent an induction heating coil and a robotic welding arm, respectively. While one group is preheated, the other group of buckets is in a welding location, enabling the welding head on the robotic arm to sequentially apply weld buildup material to the bucket tips. After applying weld buildup material in multiple passes and sequentially to the bucket tips, the buckets are removed, stress-relieved and the weld buildup material machined to provide refurbished tenons. Upon removal of the buckets from the table, the table is rotated to locate the preheated buckets in welding locations and additional buckets are clamped to the table for preheating.

Apparatus and methods for repairing tenons on turbine buckets

Growing community of inventors

Westford, NY, United States of America

Carter Cook