United Technologies Corporation

James Bailey Sprenkle

Foster Philip Lamm

Thomas R Davis

Christopher Patrick Jordan

Colin Lyle Cini

Steven Michael Ruggiero

Gary E Stasiewski

Tara Michele Barr

Normand J Morneau

A process and apparatus for selectively electroplating the tip portion of an airfoil. The airfoil includes a root portion and a blade portion having a tip. At least part of the blade including the tip is coated with an insulating material. Insulating material is removed from the tip and the airfoil is mounted in a fixture so that the tip is exposed. The fixture is immersed in a sealing bath, and the fixture and at least a portion of the airfoil is encased in sealing material while leaving the tip exposed. The fixture is then immersed in an electroplating bath, the exposed tip is electroplated, and the fixture is removed from the bath. The fixture includes an elongated base member and a grip element supported on the base member. The grip element is made of a flexible material and has a plurality of slots configured for receiving the root portion of the airfoils. An electrical contact is provided in each slot so as to contact the root portion of the airfoil. A plurality of fixture may be mounted on a carousel.

Apparatus for selectively electroplating an airfoil

A process and apparatus for selectively electroplating the tip portion of an airfoil. The airfoil includes a root portion and a blade portion having a tip. At least part of the blade including the tip is coated with an insulating material. Insulating material is removed from the tip and the airfoil is mounted in a fixture so that the tip is exposed. The fixture is immersed in a sealing bath, and the fixture and at least a portion of the airfoil is encased in sealing material while leaving the tip exposed. The fixture is then immersed in an electroplating bath, the exposed tip is electroplated, and the fixture is removed from the bath.

Process for selectively electroplating an airfoil

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Guilford, CT, United States of America

James Bailey Sprenkle