Apparatus and methods for repairing compressor airfoils in situ
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for in situ repair of airfoils of a compressor, comprising:
- a manipulator for mounting to an inlet of the compressor and for movement in a generally circumferential direction about an axis;
a tool carried by said manipulator for movement therewith and relative thereto about three orthogonally related axes, said tool being movable into the inlet of the compressor to a position in contact with a selected airfoil;
a drive system for driving said tool into contact with the selected airfoil; and
a system for controlling the drive system to position the tool in contact with the selected airfoil for repairing the selected airfoil;
said drive system including a servo-motor coupled to a lead screw for driving said tool into contact with the selected airfoil.
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Abstract
The apparatus includes a track mounted in the inlet of a compressor. A manipulator is mounted for movement about the track and carries three modules, the last of which mounts a tool head for movement in a Cartesian coordinate system and about the track. A measuring head measures the location of the airfoil surface. An abrading tool mounted on the third module removes surface material from the airfoil. Subsequently, a shot-peening device, either a flapper with embedded shot or free shot is impacted against the abraded surface to strengthen the surface. Final inspection is performed by a light and camera head mounted on the third module.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. Apparatus for in situ repair of airfoils of a compressor, comprising:
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a manipulator for mounting to an inlet of the compressor and for movement in a generally circumferential direction about an axis; a tool carried by said manipulator for movement therewith and relative thereto about three orthogonally related axes, said tool being movable into the inlet of the compressor to a position in contact with a selected airfoil; a drive system for driving said tool into contact with the selected airfoil; and a system for controlling the drive system to position the tool in contact with the selected airfoil for repairing the selected airfoil; said drive system including a servo-motor coupled to a lead screw for driving said tool into contact with the selected airfoil. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. Apparatus for in situ repair of airfoils of a compressor, comprising:
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a manipulator for mounting to an inlet of the compressor and for movement in a generally circumferential direction about an axis; a tool carried by said manipulator for movement therewith and relative thereto about three orthogonally related axes, said tool being movable into the inlet of the compressor to a position in contact with a selected airfoil; a drive system for driving said tool into contact with the selected airfoil; and a system for controlling the drive system to position the tool in contact with the selected airfoil for repairing the selected airfoil; said tool including a section carrying an abrasive and pivotally carried by said manipulator, and a spring for biasing said section to maintain the abrasive engaged against the airfoil with a substantial constant force. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. Apparatus for in situ repair of airfoils of a compressor, comprising:
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a manipulator for mounting to an inlet of the compressor and for movement in a generally circumferential direction about an axis; a tool carried by said manipulator for movement therewith and relative thereto about three orthogonally related axes, said tool being movable into the inlet of the compressor to a position in contact with a selected airfoil; a drive system for driving said tool into contact with the selected airfoil; and a system for controlling the drive system to position the tool in contact with the selected airfoil for repairing the selected airfoil; said tool including a device for shot peening the surface of the selected airfoil. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. Apparatus for in situ repair of airfoils of a compressor, comprising:
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an arcuate track for mounting to an inlet of the compressor; a manipulator mounted on said track for movement in a generally circumferential direction about an axis and along said track; a support system for a tool including a first module carried by said manipulator for movement therewith and relative thereto in a generally tangential direction; a second module carried by said first module for movement relative to said first module in a direction normal to said tangential direction and generally in a plane normal to an axis of the compressor; a third module carried by said second module for movement relative to said second module in a direction generally parallel to said axis, said tool being carried by said third module for movement therewith; a drive system for driving said modules in the respective directions; a system for measuring and recording the position of the tool relative to a selected airfoil; and a system responsive to the measuring and recording system for controlling the drive system to position the tool relative to the selected airfoil for repairing the selected airfoil. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification