Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
361 words
A method of upsetting an end portion of a rough forged bar to form a turbine blade/vane root blank, the end portion having an initial length L 0 and an initial cross-sectional area of S 0 to an end portion having a final length of L 1 and final cross-sectional area of S 1 such that L 0 >L 1 and S 0 <S 1 comprising the steps of: (a) placing the bar into a first die having a portion with a first enlarged cross-sectional area having a generally cruciform configuration such that the end portion of the bar extends into the first enlarged cross-sectional area of the die; (b) exerting a substantially axial first force on the end portion of the bar to cause the end portion to decrease in length and to laterally expand to substantially fill the first enlarged cross-section of the first die and assume a generally cruciform cross-sectional configuration; (c) maintaining at least four lines of contact between the enlarged cross-sectional portion of the first die and the end portion of the bar such that the lines of contact are displaced approximately 90° from each other around the circumference of the bar during lateral expansion of the end portion; (d) removing the bar from the first die; (e) placing the bar into a second die having a potion with a second enlarged cross-sectional area such that the end portion of the bar extends into the second enlarged cross-sectional area; (f) exerting a substantially axial second force on the end portion of the bar to cause the end portion to decrease in length and to laterally expand to substantially fill the second enlarged cross-section of the second die; and, (g) maintaining at least one line of contact between the second enlarged cross-section of the second die and the end portion of the bar during lateral expansion of the end portion such that the maximum upsetting ratio (t max) is at least 8 wherein: ##EQU1## L 0 =initial length of the end portion of the bar; L 1 =final length of the end portion of the bar; D 0 =initial diameter of the end portion of the bar.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
361 words
A method of upsetting an end portion of a rough forged bar to form a turbine blade/vane root blank, the end portion having an initial length L 0 and an initial cross-sectional area of S 0 to an end portion having a final length of L 1 and final cross-sectional area of S 1 such that L 0 >L 1 and S 0 <S 1 comprising the steps of: (a) placing the bar into a first die having a portion with a first enlarged cross-sectional area having a generally cruciform configuration such that the end portion of the bar extends into the first enlarged cross-sectional area of the die; (b) exerting a substantially axial first force on the end portion of the bar to cause the end portion to decrease in length and to laterally expand to substantially fill the first enlarged cross-section of the first die and assume a generally cruciform cross-sectional configuration; (c) maintaining at least four lines of contact between the enlarged cross-sectional portion of the first die and the end portion of the bar such that the lines of contact are displaced approximately 90° from each other around the circumference of the bar during lateral expansion of the end portion; (d) removing the bar from the first die; (e) placing the bar into a second die having a potion with a second enlarged cross-sectional area such that the end portion of the bar extends into the second enlarged cross-sectional area; (f) exerting a substantially axial second force on the end portion of the bar to cause the end portion to decrease in length and to laterally expand to substantially fill the second enlarged cross-section of the second die; and, (g) maintaining at least one line of contact between the second enlarged cross-section of the second die and the end portion of the bar during lateral expansion of the end portion such that the maximum upsetting ratio (t max) is at least 8 wherein: ##EQU1## L 0 =initial length of the end portion of the bar; L 1 =final length of the end portion of the bar; D 0 =initial diameter of the end portion of the bar.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of forming the second enlarged cross-sectional area in a generally parallelogram configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein the second enlarged cross-sectional area has a generally square cross-sectional configuration with rounded corners.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of forming the second enlarged cross-sectional area in a generally circular configuration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
321 words
Apparatus for upsetting an end portion of a rough forged bar to form a turbine vane/blade root blank, the end portion having an initial length L 0 and an initial cross-sectional area of S 0 to an end portion having a final length of L 1 and final cross-sectional area of S 1 such that L 0 >L 1 and S 0 <S 1 comprising: (a) a first die having a first enlarged cross-sectional area portion with a generally cruciform configuration to accommodate the bar therein such that the end portion of the bar extends into the enlarged cross-sectional area portion, the first die having elements defining at least four contact lines circumferentially displaced approximately 90° from each other to contact the bar during lateral expansion; (b) means to exert a first substantially axial force on the end portion of the bar of sufficient magnitude to cause the end portion to decrease in length and to laterally expand to substantially fill the first enlarged cross-sectional area portion of the first die and assume a generally cruciform cross-sectional configuration; (c) a second die having a second enlarged cross-sectional area portion to accommodate the bar therein such that the laterally expanded generally cruciform end portion extends into the enlarged cross-sectional area portion, so as to maintain at least one line of contact during further lateral expansion of the end portion; and, (d) means to exert a second substantially axial force on the end portion of the bar of sufficient magnitude to cause the end portion to decrease in length and to laterally expand to substantially fill the second enlarged cross-sectional area portion of the second die such that the maximum upsetting ration (t max) is at least 8 wherein: ##EQU2## L 0 =initial length of the end portion of the bar; L 1 =final length of the end portion of the bar; D 0 =initial diameter of the end portion of the bar.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
321 words
Apparatus for upsetting an end portion of a rough forged bar to form a turbine vane/blade root blank, the end portion having an initial length L 0 and an initial cross-sectional area of S 0 to an end portion having a final length of L 1 and final cross-sectional area of S 1 such that L 0 >L 1 and S 0 <S 1 comprising: (a) a first die having a first enlarged cross-sectional area portion with a generally cruciform configuration to accommodate the bar therein such that the end portion of the bar extends into the enlarged cross-sectional area portion, the first die having elements defining at least four contact lines circumferentially displaced approximately 90° from each other to contact the bar during lateral expansion; (b) means to exert a first substantially axial force on the end portion of the bar of sufficient magnitude to cause the end portion to decrease in length and to laterally expand to substantially fill the first enlarged cross-sectional area portion of the first die and assume a generally cruciform cross-sectional configuration; (c) a second die having a second enlarged cross-sectional area portion to accommodate the bar therein such that the laterally expanded generally cruciform end portion extends into the enlarged cross-sectional area portion, so as to maintain at least one line of contact during further lateral expansion of the end portion; and, (d) means to exert a second substantially axial force on the end portion of the bar of sufficient magnitude to cause the end portion to decrease in length and to laterally expand to substantially fill the second enlarged cross-sectional area portion of the second die such that the maximum upsetting ration (t max) is at least 8 wherein: ##EQU2## L 0 =initial length of the end portion of the bar; L 1 =final length of the end portion of the bar; D 0 =initial diameter of the end portion of the bar.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the second enlarged cross-sectional area portion has a generally parallelogram configuration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the second enlarged cross-sectional area portion has a generally square configuration with rounded corners.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the second enlarged cross-sectional area portion has a generally circular configuration.