TOOL ALIGNMENT FIXTURE

• US 20090000453A1
• Filed: 06/28/2007
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United Technologies Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: United Technologies Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Fisk, Benjamin T.
• Granted Patent: US 8,764,000 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 83/745
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 15/02 turbine or like blades from one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 2700/06 Cooling passages of turbine components, e.g. unblocking or preventing blocking of cooling passages of turbine components
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 25/285 Temporary support structures, e.g. for testing, assembling, installing, repairing; Assembly methods using such structures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 269/902 Work holder member with v-shaped notch or groove
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53961 with work-holder for assembly
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/03 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/98 Drill guide
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/68 Entirely work supported

Abstract

An example apparatus for aligning a pressure tapping tool includes a base having an engagement portion. The engagement portion engages a component to limit relative movement between the base and the component. At least one guide mounts adjacent the base. Positioning a pressure tapping tool against the guide aligns the pressure tapping tool for pressure tapping the component. An example method of pressure tapping a component includes limiting relative movement between a fixture and a component and guiding a tool along a fixture when pressure tapping the component. The example may include guiding the tool along different portions of the fixture to pressure tap different portions of the component.

Claims

1. An apparatus for aligning a pressure tapping tool, the apparatus comprising:

a base;

an engagement portion of said base, said engagement portion for engaging a component to limit relative movement between said base and the component; and

at least one guide mounted adjacent said base, wherein positioning a pressure tapping tool against said at least one guide aligns the pressure tapping tool for pressure tapping the component.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one guide comprises an extension for securing said at least one guide to said base.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said guide includes a recessed area for receiving said pressure tapping tool.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, including a compressible material for positioning between said engagement portion and the component, said compressible material at least partially compressed when said engagement portion engages the component.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the component is a turbofan engine component and positioning a pressure tapping tool against said at least one guide aligns the pressure tapping tool with a desired pressure tapping location on the turbofan engine component.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the component is a turbine blade and positioning a pressure tapping tool against said at least one guide aligns the pressure tapping tool with a desired pressure tapping location on the turbine blade.

5. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said engagement portion includes an edge portion defining an aperture, said edge portion surrounding an extension of said compressible material, and said extension contacting said edge portion to limit relative movement between said compressible material and said engagement portion.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said compressible material comprises a polymer material.

9. An apparatus for aligning a tool relative a blade for a gas turbine engine, the apparatus comprising:

a base for engaging a blade to limit relative movement between said base and said blade; and

at least one alignment feature mounted to said base, wherein positioning a tool against said alignment feature aligns the tool in a desired position relative to the blade.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said alignment feature is for positioning a pressure tapping tool.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the blade includes a plurality of desired pressure tap locations, each of said at least one alignment feature corresponding to one of said desired plurality of pressure tap locations.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said base has a general “

V”

shape cross-section.

13. A method of pressure tapping a component, comprising:

limiting relative movement between a fixture and a component; and

guiding a tool along the fixture and pressure tapping the component.

14. The method of claim 13, including guiding the tool along different portions of the fixture when pressure tapping different portions of the component.

15. The method of claim 13, including maintaining the position of the fixture relative to the component while guiding the tool along different portions of the fixture.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein guiding the tool includes limiting radial movement of the tool away from an axis defined by a cooling hole.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the component is a turbofan engine component.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the component is a turbine blade.