Method for closing core printout holes in superalloy gas turbine blades
First Claim
1. A method of closing a core printout hole in a superalloy turbine blade, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a superalloy plug having a given peripheral configuration;
forming the hole to have a configuration that is structured to cooperatively receive the plug therein and to form a mechanical lock therebetween;
receiving the plug in the hole; and
bonding the plug to the turbine blade.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A hole (3) formed in a superalloy turbine blade (12) is sealed by providing a superalloy plug (4), machining the hole to be of a configuration can receive the plug therein, and bonding the plug to the turbine blade. The plug can be of a threaded or unthreaded configuration and can be of a tapered or straight configuration. The plug is bonded to the hole by applying a bonding catalyst to one or both of the plug and the hole or by positioning the bonding catalyst therebetween, and providing appropriate treatment to the bonding catalyst, such as heating or other treatment, to cause the bonding catalyst to form a bond between the plug and the turbine blade to form a joint therebetween. Any of a variety of known bonds can be employed to form the joint. The plug additionally may be pre-cooled prior to insertion thereof into the hole in the turbine blade, or alternatively may be of a coefficient of thermal expansion that is greater than that of the turbine blade.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of closing a core printout hole in a superalloy turbine blade, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a superalloy plug having a given peripheral configuration;
forming the hole to have a configuration that is structured to cooperatively receive the plug therein and to form a mechanical lock therebetween;
receiving the plug in the hole; and
bonding the plug to the turbine blade. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of closing a core printout hole in a superalloy turbine blade, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a superalloy plug having a threaded peripheral configuration;
forming the hole to have a threaded configuration that is structured to receive the plug therein;
receiving the plug in the hole;
applying a bonding catalyst to at least one of the plug and the turbine blade in the vicinity of the hole; and
forming a joint between the plug and the turbine blade. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of closing a core printout hole in a superalloy turbine blade having a first coefficient of thermal expansion, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a superalloy plug having a tapered peripheral configuration with respect to the longitudinal axis of the plug and having a second coefficient of thermal expansion that is greater than the first coefficient of thermal expansion;
forming the hole to have a configuration that is structured to receive the plug therein;
receiving the plug in the hole; and
bonding the plug to the turbine blade. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of closing a core printout hole in a superalloy turbine blade, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a superalloy plug having a given peripheral configuration;
forming the hole to have a configuration that is structured to cooperatively receive the plug therein;
pre-cooling the plug to a temperature lower than that of the turbine blade;
receiving the plug in the hole; and
bonding the plug to the turbine blade. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification