Rolls-royce Corporation

Gemma A Raven

Simon Edward Bray

Alexander David May

Andrew Alan Robert Baird

Christopher Jonathan Taylor

Andrew Robert Walpole

Peter A Stevens

Charlotte Gibson

A method of friction welding a first component to a second component, the method having the steps of: rotating the first component relative to the second component about a rotation axis; and bringing the first component into contact with the second component; wherein, while the first component and the second component are in contact, a first average force is applied during a first stage of the friction welding process and a second average force is applied during a second stage of the friction welding process; and the second average force is different from the first average force.

Joining method

A method for welding together pieces which form a curved or angled end product using a friction welding process. The method includes: providing first and second pieces which together define the end product geometry, each piece including an end product geometry portion and a sacrificial weld portion, the sacrificial weld portion forming a dog-leg relative to the end product geometry portion and terminating in a planar weld interface surface. The pieces are arranged with their planar weld interface surfaces together at a weld surface interface and the sacrificial weld portions in coaxial alignment. Mechanical friction is applied between the planar weld interface surfaces sufficient to plastically deform the sacrificial weld portions. An axial force is applied along the co-axis of the sacrificial weld portions sufficient to upset the sacrificial weld portions and bring together the end product geometry portions. The sacrificial geometry portions are removed to provide the end product.

Rotary friction welding

A method is provided of processing one or more blades of a row of blades which forms part of a rotor for a gas turbine engine. The method includes: providing a rotor disc having a slot for mounting one or more blades; applying tape at one or both sides of the slot such that when the blades are loaded in the slot the tape reduces a range of tilt angles which can be adopted by the blades; loading the blades in the slot; and performing a processing operation on the loaded blades.

Rotor blade manufacture

A method is provided of processing one or more blades of a row of blades which forms part of a rotor for a gas turbine engine. The method includes: providing a rotor disc having a slot for mounting one or more blades; loading the blades in the slot and loading the wax blocks in or adjacent the slot, the wax blocks being configured and positioned such that, on loading, the blades shear material from the wax blocks, the sheared wax blocks reducing a range of tilt angles which can be adopted by the blades; and performing a processing operation on the loaded blades.

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Royston, United Kingdom

Gemma A Raven