AIRFOIL EDGE FORM TRANSFER GRINDING TOOL

• US 20140323022A1
• Filed: 03/21/2014
• Published: 10/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rtx Corporation
• Original Assignee: United Technologies Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Rizzo, John P. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 9,421,661 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 451/541
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 6/002 Repairing turbine components, e.g. moving or stationary blades, rotors, B23P6/045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 19/009 for grinding profiled workpieces using a profiled grinding tool
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 19/14 for grinding turbine blades, propeller blades or the like using grinding belts B24B21/16
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 5/005 Repairing methods or devices

Abstract

A grinding tool is provided that includes an axial grinding wheel having a circumferential cutting slot formed therein, the cutting slot having a cross-sectional profile that includes a floor having a first radius of curvature, a first side wall rising upward from the floor and having a second radius of curvature, a second side wall rising upward from the floor opposite the first side wall and having a third radius of curvature. At least one radius of curvature corresponds to a surface, such as a leading edge of a gas turbine engine airfoil.

Claims

1. A grinding tool comprising:

an axial grinding wheel having a circumferential cutting slot formed therein, the cutting slot having a cross-sectional profile that includes a floor having a first radius of curvature, a first side wall rising upward from the floor and having a second radius of curvature, and a second side wall rising upward from the floor opposite the first side wall and having a third radius of curvature.

2. A grinding tool as recited in claim 1, wherein the radius of curvature of the floor of the cutting slot is related to a leading edge of a gas turbine engine airfoil.

3. A grinding tool as recited in claim 1, wherein the radius of curvature of the floor of the cutting slot is related to a trailing edge of a gas turbine engine airfoil.

4. A grinding tool as recited in claim 1, wherein the radius of curvature of the first side wall of the cutting slot is related to a pressure side of a gas turbine engine airfoil.

5. A grinding tool as recited in claim 1, wherein the radius of curvature of the second side wall of the cutting slot is related to a suction side of a gas turbine engine airfoil.

6. A grinding tool as recited in claim 1, wherein each side wall of the cutting slot includes an upper shoulder, and each upper shoulder has a fourth radius of curvature.

7. A grinding tool as recited in claim 1, wherein the cutting slot has an abrasive surface finish.

8. A grinding tool as recited in claim 1, wherein the axial grinding wheel is provided at the distal end of an elongated shaft.

9. A grinding tool as recited in claim 8, wherein a proximal end portion of the shaft is threaded.

10. A grinding tool as recited in claim 1, wherein a medial portion of the shaft includes a mounting section.

17. A grinding tool as recited in claim 10, wherein a medial portion of the shaft includes a mounting section.

11. A grinding tool comprising:

a) an elongated shaft defining a longitudinal axis; and

b) an axial grinding wheel provided at a distal end of the shaft, the grinding wheel having a circumferential cutting slot formed therein, the cutting slot having a continuous cross-sectional profile that includes a floor having a first radius of curvature relating to an edge of a gas turbine engine airfoil, a first side wall rising upward from the floor and having a second radius of curvature related to a pressure side of the airfoil, a second side wall rising upward from the floor opposite the first side wall and having a third radius of curvature related to a suction side of the airfoil.

12. A grinding tool as recited in claim 11, wherein the radius of curvature of the floor of the cutting slot is related to a leading edge of the airfoil.

13. A grinding tool as recited in claim 11, wherein the radius of curvature of the floor of the cutting slot is related to a trailing edge of the airfoil.

14. A grinding tool as recited in claim 11, wherein each side wall of the cutting slot includes an upper shoulder, and each upper shoulder has a fourth radius of curvature.

15. A grinding tool as recited in claim 11, wherein the cutting slot has an abrasive surface finish.

16. A grinding tool as recited in claim 11, wherein a proximal end portion of the shaft is threaded.

18. A grinding tool comprising:

a) an elongated shaft defining a longitudinal axis; and

b) an axial grinding wheel provided at a distal end of the shaft, the grinding wheel having an abrasive surface finish and a circumferential cutting slot formed therein, the cutting slot having a continuous cross-sectional profile that includes a floor having a first radius of curvature relating to an edge of a gas turbine engine airfoil, a first side wall rising upward from the floor and having a second radius of curvature related to a pressure side of the airfoil, a second side wall rising upward from the floor and having a third radius of curvature related to a suction side of the airfoil, wherein each side wall includes an upper shoulder, and each upper shoulder has a fourth radius of curvature.

19. An airfoil edge form transfer grinding tool as recited in claim 18, wherein the radius of curvature of the floor of the cutting slot is related to a leading edge of the airfoil.

20. An airfoil edge form transfer grinding tool as recited in claim 18, wherein the radius of curvature of the floor of the cutting slot is related to a trailing edge of the airfoil.