Elliott Company

Elliott Turbomachinery Co., Inc.

Kent W Beedon

Phillip Dowson

Timothy J Wilkinson

Disclosed is a multi-axis workpiece manipulator or positioning device () having movement along two rectilinear axes (Land L), two pivotable or tilt axes (Tand T) and two rotational axes (Rand R). The positioning device () includes a support base (), a first member () attached to the support base () extending axially therefrom and a carriage () adjustably connected to the first member (). The support base () is movable in a longitudinal path along a first rectilinear axis (L) and the carriage is movable along the first member () in a vertical path along a second rectilinear axis (L). A second member () is pivotably and rotatably attached to the carriage () and extends axially away from the carriage (). The second member () can pivotably move along a first tilt axis (T) with respect to the carriage () and can rotate in a circular path along a first rotational axis (R). A third member () is pivotably and rotatably attached to an end of the second member (), wherein the third member () can pivotably move along a second tilt axis (T) with respect to the second member () and can rotate in a circular path along a second rotational axis (R). A drive mechanism (D) operates the positioning device () for selectively positioning a workpiece (W) to be processed. This device () is particularly useful in fabricating compressor impellers.

Positioning device for the fabrication of compressor impellers

A method of brazing stainless steel components to form a complex shape such as an impeller. The method includes the steps of providing the stainless steel components shaped and formed from a selected stainless steel alloy; providing a brazing alloy having a selected composition and compatibility with stainless steel; heating the stainless steel components and brazing alloy for a controlled time to a liquidus temperature to effect brazing; cooling the stainless steel components and brazing alloy to a quench temperature substantially lower than the liquidus temperature of the brazing alloy to provide a tensile strength of greater than about 20 Ksi in the brazing alloy; and quenching the assembly from the quench temperature to a temperature of less than about 400&#xb0; F. in a given time to provide a brazed assembly free of distortion and cracks with desired mechanical properties in the stainless steel components by virtue of the thermal treatment.

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Greensburg, PA, United States of America

Kent W Beedon