General Electric Company

Ralph E Patsfall

Gene E Wiggs

Jung-Ho Cheng

Jeffrey LeMonds

Gary T Martini

A method for making a three-piece hollow airfoil includes preforming three metal sheets into initial shapes and sealing them together to form an in-process assembly. Internal cavities are formed in the assembly prior to sealing. The assembly is subjected to high temperature and pressure to diffusion bond the sheets together at selected points. The cavities are then subjected to internal pressure at high temperature in order to inflate and superplastically deform the assembly to the desired shape. Excess material may be machined off after inflation.

Design and processing method for manufacturing hollow airfoils

A method for reparing or manufacturing an article, such as a bladed disk, having an integral projection, for example an airfoil, includes first removing a damaged projection to provide a stub, or in new manufacture providing the stub. A collar shaped to register with the stub is provided and bonded to the stub to generate a stub-collar combination. Then a replacement or new projection member is bonded to the stub-collar combination. Finishing then provides the article. Apparatus includes the combination of a metal attachment die and a heating means retained in a recess of the die during bonding.

Apparatus for bonding an article projection

A method for repairing or manufacturing an article, such as a bladed disk, having an integral projection, for example an airfoil, includes first removing a damaged projection to provide a stub, or in new manufacture providing the stub. A collar shaped to register with the stub is provided and bonded to the stub to generate a stub-collar combination. Then a replacement or new projection member is bonded to the stub-collar combination. Finishing then provides the article. Apparatus includes the combination of a metal attachment die and a heating means retained in a recess of the die during bonding.

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Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

Ralph E Patsfall