Repair of turbines on wing
First Claim
1. A method for performing laser repairs on components in the interior of a gas turbine engine without significantly disassembling the engine comprising the steps of:
- inserting a flexible conveyance from the exterior of the engine to the interior of the engine;
remotely viewing the engine component;
selecting a repair on the component;
providing power through the flexible conveyance; and
laser welding the component.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus for repairing turbine blades of a gas turbine engine by a laser welding operation. The method uses a miniaturized laser and related apparatus. The miniaturized laser is fed through a borescope access hole to a desired location such as a high pressure turbine blade. The laser is then powered and manipulated so as to perform the desired welding operation. Filler material may also be provided in situ to accomplish the welding procedure. The method realizes a significant cost savings to the vehicle operator in that repairs can be accomplished without the need to remove the engine or disassemble the engine.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for performing laser repairs on components in the interior of a gas turbine engine without significantly disassembling the engine comprising the steps of:
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inserting a flexible conveyance from the exterior of the engine to the interior of the engine;
remotely viewing the engine component;
selecting a repair on the component;
providing power through the flexible conveyance; and
laser welding the component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for performing laser welding repairs comprising:
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a laser generator;
a flexible conveyance;
a flexible laser conveyance disposed within said flexible conveyance capable of directing a laser at a target in a given direction;
an illumination means disposed within said flexible conveyance capable of illuminating the target in the same direction as the laser; and
a visualization means disposed within said flexible conveyance capable of viewing a target in the same direction as the laser. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A mobile laser welding system comprising:
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a transportable laser generator disposed on a vehicle;
a flexible conveyance attached to said laser generator;
means for projecting a laser through the flexible conveyance onto a target;
an illumination means disposed within said flexible conveyance; and
a visualization means disposed within said flexible conveyance. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A flexible laser conveyance for use in remote laser welding comprising:
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an outer covering having a first end;
a cap comprising material resistant to laser-related spalling and heat degradation attached to the end of the outer covering and said cap defining a plurality of passages;
a flexible fiber optical cable capable of transmitting a laser disposed within the outer covering and also disposed within a passage of said cap; and
a filler conveyance disposed within said outer sheathing and also disposed within a passage of said cap. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification