US4808055A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Turbine blade with restored tip
Assignee: Sermatech International Inc
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Filing: 1987-04-15
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Granted: 1989-02-28
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Expires: 2007-04-15
Abstract
Abstract The worn tip of a turbine blade is restored by applying a metallurgically bonded wear resistant surface at the tip. The wear resistant surface is applied using a transferred plasma arc and powdered metal particles.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy A. Wertz
- 👤 Gilbert A. Saltzman
- 👤 Ira L. Friedman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 05:10
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23P; B23P6/00; B23P6/002; B23P6/007; F; F01; F01D; F01D5/00; F01D5/005; F01D5/12; F01D5/14; F01D5/20; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T50/00; Y02T50/60; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49316; Y10T29/49318; Y10T29/49718; Y10T29/49732; Y10T29/49742
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
35 words
A turbine engine blade comprising a blade root; a blade extending from said blade root to a blade tip; and a metallurgically bonded wear resistant surface entirely made from powdered metal on said blade tip.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
35 words
A turbine engine blade comprising a blade root; a blade extending from said blade root to a blade tip; and a metallurgically bonded wear resistant surface entirely made from powdered metal on said blade tip.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A turbine blade as set forth in claim 1 wherein said wear resistant surface is a composite of a metal alloy defining a matrix and abrasive particles of hard material distributed throughout said matrix.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A turbine blade as set forth in claim 2 wherein said particles are selected from the group consisting of ceramics and refractory metal carbides, nitrides and borides.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A turbine blade as set forth in claim 1 wherein said blade is formed of a single crystal structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A turbine blade as set forth in claim 1 wherein said wear surface is of a thickness of from 0.010 inches to 0.120 inches.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A turbine blade as set forth in claim 5 wherein said particles are in a range of size of about 0.001 inches to 0.030 inches.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A turbine blade as set forth in claim 1 wherein said blade is formed of a directionally solidified crystal structure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
A restored turbine engine blade comprising a blade root; a curved blade extending from said blade root to a blade tip; and a metallurgically bonded wear resistant surface entirely made from powdered metal on said tip of a thickness in a range of from 0.010 inches to 0.120 inches.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
A restored turbine engine blade comprising a blade root; a curved blade extending from said blade root to a blade tip; and a metallurgically bonded wear resistant surface entirely made from powdered metal on said tip of a thickness in a range of from 0.010 inches to 0.120 inches.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A restored turbine blade as set forth in claim 8 wherein said wear resistant surface is of a thickness in a range of from 0.010 inches to 0.100 inches.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A restored turbine blade as set forth in claim 8 wherein said blade is made of a nickel-base alloy and said wear resistant surface is characterized in being a cast metal alloy.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
A restored turbine blade as set forth in claim 10 wherein said wear resistant surface has abrasive particles therein in a ratio of from 10% to 80% by weight of said cast metal alloy.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of rebuilding a blade tip of a turbine engine blade said method comprising the steps of creating a transferred plasma arc between an electrode and a worn tip of the turbine blade at an amperage of from 1 amp to 15 amps; and feeding powdered metal particles into the arc for depositing a series of overlapping weld deposits on the blade tip to form a wear resistant layer thereon, said layer being metallurgically bonded to the tip.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of rebuilding a blade tip of a turbine engine blade said method comprising the steps of creating a transferred plasma arc between an electrode and a worn tip of the turbine blade at an amperage of from 1 amp to 15 amps; and feeding powdered metal particles into the arc for depositing a series of overlapping weld deposits on the blade tip to form a wear resistant layer thereon, said layer being metallurgically bonded to the tip.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as set forth in claim 12 wherein the wear resistant layer is of a thickness of from 0.010 to 0.120 inches.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-02-28 | 1992-08-29 | 1993-02-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-02-28 | 1996-08-29 | 1997-02-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-02-28 | 2000-08-29 | 2001-02-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |