METHOD OF REVERSE ENGINEERING

• US 20090178278A1
• Filed: 01/16/2008
• Published: 07/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: United Technologies Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: United Technologies Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Quinn, Daniel E., Miller, Michael L.
• Application Number:
  US12/014,971
• Publication Number:
  US 20090178278A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/888.11
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 6/002 Repairing turbine components, e.g. moving or stationary blades, rotors, B23P6/045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 5/005 Repairing methods or devices
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/41805 characterised by assembly
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31034 Component identifier and location indicator corresponding to component
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35164 Reverse engineering, camera and probe to inspect workpiece and machine are the same ones
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49233 Repairing, converting, servicing or salvaging
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49721 with disassembling

Abstract

An example method of reverse engineering component modifications includes recording identification information for components and distributing a portion of the components for modification. The method receives the components after modification and reviews the components using the identification information.

Claims

1. A method of reverse engineering component modifications, comprising

(a) recording identification information for a plurality of components;

(b) distributing a first portion of the plurality of components for modification;

(c) receiving the first portion of the plurality of components after modification; and

(d) reviewing the first portion of the plurality of components after modification using the identification information.

2. The method of claim 1, including the step of:

retaining a second portion of the plurality of components for modification.

3. The method of claim 2, including the step of:

repeating steps (a) through (c) and retaining types of components that would previously have been in the first portion in the second portion based on a prior said step (d).

4. The method of claim 2, including the step of:

(f) altering modifications to the second portion of the plurality of components based on said step (d).

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said step (b) includes distributing the first portion of the plurality of components to a different company for modification.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification information includes at least one of a photograph, a part number, and a serial number.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of components comprise gas turbine engine components.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the modification comprises a repair.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said step (d) includes at least one of destructive testing and nondestructive testing.

10. A method of reverse engineering a component repair, comprising

(a) assuming control of a component;

(b) recording identification information for the component;

(c) surrendering control of the component for a repair;

(d) reassuming control of component; and

(e) evaluating the repair.

11. The method of claim 10, including the step of:

retaining control of another component for repair based on said step (e).

12. The method of claim 10, including the step of:

altering a repair to another component based on said step (e).

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the component comprises a gas turbine engine component.

14. A method of reverse engineering competitor repairs, comprising:

(a) identifying at least one potential repair on at least one part;

(b) recording information about the at least one potential repair;

(c) relying on a another company to repair the at least one potential repair; and

(d) reviewing the repair to the at least one part using the information.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said step (b) includes recording a photograph of the at least one potential repair.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said step (b) includes comparing the repair to the photograph.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein said step (d) includes testing repairs to the component.