The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 09, 2002
Filed:
Aug. 31, 2000
Beth Kwiatkowski Abriles, North Branford, CT (US);
David A. Rutz, Glastonbury, CT (US);
Bryan W. Manis, Woodstock, CT (US);
United Technologies Corporation, Hartford, CT (US);
Abstract
The present invention relates to a self cleaning braze paste which is used in the repair of gas turbine engines. The braze paste comprises lithium fluoride in an amount sufficient to act as a flux which allows the braze material to flow into a crack or void in a part to be repaired up to an amount where there is no residual lithium or fluoride in the crack or void, preferably up to about 20% by volume, a gel binder in an amount up to about 15% by volume, and the balance comprising at least one of a nickel braze alloy and a cobalt braze alloy. In a preferred embodiment, the lithium fluoride is present in an amount from about 10% to about 15% by volume. The braze material of the present invention may be applied in a paste form or, alternatively, in a paint or tape form. A method for cleaning and repairing a braze joint is also disclosed. The method broadly comprises the steps of forming a braze material containing lithium fluoride in the above mentioned range, a gel binder in an amount up to about 15% by volume, and the balance comprising at least one of a nickel braze alloy or a cobalt braze alloy, applying the braze material to the braze joint, and heating the braze material to a temperature in the range of from about a temperature sufficient to cause the lithium fluoride to volatize up to about 2300° F. for a time period from about 1.0 minute to about 30.0 minutes.