Rolls-royce Corporation

Eliot Burrows

Paul Allan Hucker

A method and apparatus for welding a first component to a second component. A scanning head is positionally calibrated within a localised work envelope including the components, the positional calibration being referenced to at least one datum feature within the work envelope. Profiles of the components are scanned within the localised work envelope using the calibrated scanning head. A cloud point data image of defined coordinate positions of surfaces and edges to be welded within a space envelope is generated from the scanned profiles. A robotic welding torch electrode tip is scanned using the calibrated scanning head to determine a defined coordinate position of the electrode tip within the space envelope. The components are welded using the torch, the torch controlled using the cloud point data image and the defined coordinate position such that the electrode tip is held at pre-determined stand-off positions around the components during the welding.

Welding process

A method of assembling an annular combustion chamber assembly comprises positioning a plurality of first combustion chamber segments circumferentially side by side to form an annulus and removably securing the downstream end of each first combustion chamber segment to a first ring to form a first assembly. The method comprises positioning a plurality of second combustion chamber segments circumferentially side by side to form an annulus, removably securing the downstream end of each second combustion chamber segment to a second ring to form a second assembly. The method comprises removably securing the upstream end of each second combustion chamber segment of the second assembly to an annular upstream end wall. The method comprises inserting the second assembly into the first assembly and then removably securing the upstream end of each first combustion chamber segment of the first assembly to the annular upstream end wall to form the annular combustion chamber assembly.

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Nottingham, United Kingdom

Eliot Burrows