US3566068A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for aligning and arc-removing turbine nozzle vanes
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1968-08-29
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Granted: 1971-02-23
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Expires: 1988-08-29
Abstract
Abstract The present disclosure relates to a method and means for precisely aligning a particularly shaped element having a hollow cross-sectional area, in this case an arcuately contoured hollow turbine nozzle vane, with a pair of correspondingly shaped electrodes to permit the vane''s precise arc removal without damaging the structure on which the vanes are mounted.
Inventors
- 👤 Russ L Bruneri
- 👤 James J Carter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:42
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K9/00; B23K9/0026; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49316; Y10T29/4932; Y10T29/49323; Y10T29/49718; Y10T29/49721
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
Apparatus for precise arc removing welding a shaped end portion of a turbine vane from its supporting wheel assembly comprising: means for rotatably supporting the wheel assembly; electrode means affixed on a bed and configured to substantially correspond to said shaped portion; means supported on the bed for aligning said shaped portion with said electrode means including: an elongate guide member fixed on said bed and radially disposed with reference to said wheel assembly; a follower member movably carried on said guide member for adjustment to different sized turbine wheel assemblies; a finger carried on said guide member, said finger being radially displaceable for engaging selected portions of a vane to effect said alignment; and a holding member supported on said follower member and formed to engage said wheel assembly to maintain said alignment to enable the electrode means to engage precisely said shaped portion of the turbine vane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
Apparatus for precise arc removing welding a shaped end portion of a turbine vane from its supporting wheel assembly comprising: means for rotatably supporting the wheel assembly; electrode means affixed on a bed and configured to substantially correspond to said shaped portion; means supported on the bed for aligning said shaped portion with said electrode means including: an elongate guide member fixed on said bed and radially disposed with reference to said wheel assembly; a follower member movably carried on said guide member for adjustment to different sized turbine wheel assemblies; a finger carried on said guide member, said finger being radially displaceable for engaging selected portions of a vane to effect said alignment; and a holding member supported on said follower member and formed to engage said wheel assembly to maintain said alignment to enable the electrode means to engage precisely said shaped portion of the turbine vane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
96 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 in which said guide member includes: a guide carrier block electrically isolated from said bed; said follower member includes: a follower block formed with slots permitting only a longitudinal said displacement on said guide carrier block and further formed with a keeper groove retaining said finger element in a first and a second position along the trailing edge of said shaped portion for lateral alignment with said electrode means, and said holding member includes; an over center clamp securing said assembly to the aligning means to maintain said lateral alignment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 in which said securing means further includes; at least one guide bar pivotally mounted on said imparting means disposed to laterally displace said assembly thereby ensuring axial alignment of said shaped portion with said electrode means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 in which the securing means includes: a cross-shaped bracket pivotally carried on the imparting means to permit angular displacement; a latch mounted on each extremity of said bracket disposed to secure said assembly thereon; a disc element mounted on said imparting means; and at least one screw clamp carried on said bracket disposed for engaging said disc element to secure said assembly at a desired said angular displacement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
95 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 in which said guide member includes: a guide carrier block electrically isolated from said bed; said follower member includes; a follower block formed with slots permitting only a longitudinal displacement on said guide carrier block and having a keeper groove retaining said finger element in a first and second position along the traIling edge of said shaped portion for lateral alignment with said electrode means; and said holding member includes; an over center clamp securing said assembly to the aligning means to maintain said axial and said lateral alignment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus according to claim 5 in which said finger element is spring biased to allow said angular displacement in one direction, upon said angular displacement in the opposite direction, said finger portion abuts said trailing edge ensuring said axial alignment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 6 in which said electrode means includes: a pair of opposed carbon electrodes spaced to allow the positioning of said shaped portion therebetween.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 in which said imparting means is adapted for bidirectional displacement ensuring said electrical contact between one side of said shaped portion and one said carbon electrode and between the other side of said shaped portion and the other said carbon electrode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus according to claim 8 in which said assembly is a turbine nozzle assembly having a pair of concentric rims and said shaped portion is one of a plurality of radially disposed nozzle vanes mounted therebetween.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-22 | 1974-08-24 | 1975-02-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-22 | 1978-08-24 | 1979-02-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-22 | 1982-08-24 | 1983-02-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |