Methods for stator bar shape tooling
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsCaleb James Munholand, Mark Stephen Clough, Mark Kent Shoemaker, David John Wardell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for providing stator bar shape tooling. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for shaping an element. The method can include providing at least one constraining surface, wherein the at least one constraining surface is fabricated at least in part by selective laser sintering, and deforming an element with the at least one constraining surface to define at least an external shape of a formed element.
Claims9
A method for manufacturing stator bar shape tooling, comprising:
- fabricating a first constraining surface with a curved element section operable to deform a first portion of an element into a formed element for a stator bar;
- fabricating a second constraining surface with another curved element section operable to deform a second portion of the element, wherein the first constraining surface and the second constraining surface are fabricated at least in part by selective laser sintering;
- and
- connecting one or more heaters in thermal communication with the first constraining surface and the second constraining surface, wherein the one or more heaters apply heat to the first constraining surface and the second constraining surface while the first constraining surface and the second constraining surface apply pressure to the element.
A method for manufacturing shape tooling, comprising:
- fabricating a first constraining surface with a curved element section operable to deform a first portion of an element into a formed element comprising at least one of a stator bar, a stator coil, a buss bar, or a connection ring;
- fabricating a second constraining surface with another curved element section operable to deform a second portion of the element, wherein the first constraining surface and the second constraining surface are fabricated at least in part by selective laser sintering;
- and
- connecting one or more heaters in thermal communication with the first constraining surface and the second constraining surface, wherein the one or more heaters apply heat to the first constraining surface and the second constraining surface while the first constraining surface and the second constraining surface apply pressure to the element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.