United Technologies Corporation

Other

Robert W Baumgarten

John M Robertson

Ralph B Bogard

Thomas DeMichael

Michael P Smith

Janet M Stanley

Stephen L Mayers

David S Murphy

Jeff L Dulaney

Allan H Clauer

Eric W Malmborg

William D Owen

Raymond M Walker

Christopher Mark Palazzini

Kenneth D Coolidge

Benjamin R Hack

Brian T Dunn

Donald P Achor

Frank E Palko

Jerry G Weinstein

Joseph F Clarady

C Palazzini

Frank Palko

The present invention relates to a method for fabricating an integrally bladed rotor which comprises providing a hub section, preferably formed from a titanium based alloy, and welding an airfoil, also preferably formed from a titanium based alloy, to the hub section. The method further comprises partially aging and cooling the hub section prior to welding and aging the airfoil and the weld joint between the airfoil and the hub section subsequent to welding. The post welding aging step is preferably carried out using a novel encapsulated local airfoil heating device having a plurality of heating elements woven into a jacket made from a high temperature cloth material. The method of the present invention may also be used to repair integrally bladed rotors.

Integrally bladed rotor airfoil fabrication and repair techniques

The present invention relates to a method for-fabricating an integrally bladed rotor which comprises providing a hub section, preferably formed from a titanium based alloy, and welding an airfoil, also preferably formed from a titanium based alloy, to the hub section. The method further comprises partially aging and cooling the hub section prior to welding and aging the airfoil and the weld joint between the airfoil and the hub section subsequent to welding. The post welding aging step is preferably carried out using a novel encapsulated local airfoil heating device having a plurality of heating elements woven into a jacket made from a high temperature cloth material. The method of the present invention may also be used to repair integrally bladed rotors.

A method for repairing an airfoil is provided that includes the steps of: (a) determining repair regions of the airfoil that are likely to be damaged during a period of operation; (b) creating a stress profile for the airfoil that considers dynamic, steady-state, and residual stresses; (c) selecting a replacement section patch line using the stress profile and the determination of those regions likely to be damaged during operation; (d) providing an airfoil replacement section with a predetermined shape having a bond surface that substantially mates with the patch line; (e) removing a portion of the airfoil up to the patch line; (f) bonding the airfoil replacement section to the airfoil along the patch line; and (g) shaping the patched airfoil.

Method of repairing an airfoil

A method is disclosed for repairing damage to an airfoil. The method provides for the removal of a section of the airfoil that substantially encompasses the damaged area, which consequently leaves a void and a cut-away surface in the airfoil. A replacement piece larger than the residual void is provided for use in replacing the section removed from the airfoil. A joining operation welds or otherwise joins the replacement piece to the airfoil at the cut-away surface to form a joined airfoil. The joined airfoil has a seam between the airfoil and the replacement piece. At least a portion of the seam is processed by laser shock peening to induce compressive residual stresses therein.

Method using laser shock peening to process airfoil weld repairs pertaining to blade cut and weld techniques

A method for replacing a rotor blade on an integrally bladed rotor having a disk is provided, comprising the steps of: (a) removing a damaged rotor blade, leaving a stub portion of the rotor blade extending out from the disk, the stub portion of the rotor blade having a suction side and a pressure side; (b) providing a die, having a pressure side and a suction side, wherein each side includes a platform trough; (c) fastening the die to the rotor blade stub, with the pressure side of the die positioned on the pressure side of the stub, and the suction side of the die positioned on the suction side of the stub; (d) extruding a portion of the rotor blade stub into the platform troughs, thereby creating a platform; and (e) attaching a rotor blade to the platform.

Method for attaching a rotor blade to an integrally bladed rotor

A method is taught for joining a wrought alloy material to a cast alloy, so as to obtain a joint having superior structural integrity. A cast nickel-base superalloy part may be bonded to a wrought nickel-base superalloy part, for example, by positioning a suitable part or blank of said wrought superalloy adjacent to the cast superalloy part, applying a local bonding force to the interface while locally heating the interface to a temperature which causes localized softening, metal flow, and bonding, removing said bonding force, and subjecting the bonded assembly to a local or isothermal heat treatment so as to minimize distortion, optimize properties, and stress relieve the bonded assembly. This method may be used, for example, for the repair or replacement of vane assembly retaining lugs, whereby a replacement lug of a wrought alloy is solid state bonded to the vane assembly in place of the previous retaining lug.

Technique for direct bonding cast and wrought materials

A method is taught for the replacement of turbine disk airseal lands, whereby a replacement land ring is solid state bonded to the disk in place of a worn or damaged land.

Method for replacing worn airseal lands on engine compressor or turbine

A method is taught for repair of holes in superalloy or titanium materials by using plugs of the same or similar material and heat treatment, whereby a fully recrystallized joint interface is achieved between the plug and the walls of the hole.

Forge joining repair technique

Techniques for fabricating or repairing integrally bladed rotors are developed. A new or replacement blade is bonded to a projecting stub. The new blade has a collar through which bonding forces are transmitted. After bonding with heat and pressure, final machining and heat treatment operations are performed.

Growing community of inventors

Palm Beach Gardens, FL, United States of America

Robert W Baumgarten