Pneumatic press vane lift installation tool
AssigneeUnited Technologies Corporation
InventorChristopher C. McFarland
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a pneumatic press vane lift installation tool. The tool is formed by two inflatable, substantially semi-circular tubes which are placed between a rotor assembly and a vane assembly during the installation of the vane assembly. The tubes are each positioned adjacent an inner end of the vanes in the vane assembly and are each inflated to apply a lifting force to the vanes. The vanes are then attached to the engine case.
Claims13
A tool for installing vanes in an engine comprising at least one inflatable tube for applying a lift force to a portion of a vane array to be installed in said engine.
A method for assembling an engine comprising:
- installing a first rotor assembly within an engine case;
- placing a first inflatable tool over a portion of said first rotor assembly;
- placing a first vane array having at least one vane on a surface of said inflatable tool;
- inflating said inflatable tool so that a portion of each vane in said first vane array is loaded against said engine case;
- and
- connecting each said vane in said first vane array to said engine case while said tool is in said inflated condition.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.