Systems and methods for solid state metal repair
AssigneeUnited Technologies Corporation
InventorDouglas Hobbs
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for solid state metal plate repair is provided. A solid state metal plate repair system may comprise a drill, a cutter and a plug. The plug may be configured to fill a void created by the cutter. The plug may also be configured to create a metallurgical bond with the metal plate during a repair operation. The plug may also be configured to shear from the drill (e.g., drive motor) when an expected rise in torque indicates a sufficient bond has been achieved in the repair. The systems and methods described herein may be used on specialty alloys wherein other repair methods are undesirable.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- removing a portion of a damaged portion of a plate, wherein the damaged portion is removed by a cutter operatively coupled to a drill to form a tapered hole;
- and
- advancing a rotating plug comprising a plug body and shaft into the tapered hole created by the cutter, wherein friction between the plug and an interior surface defining the tapered bond the pug and the interior surface.
A solid state metal repair system comprising:
- a drill;
- a cutter capable of being operatively coupled to the drill, wherein the cutter is configured to rotatably remove a damaged portion of a plate in response to being driven by the drill, creating a void in the plate;
- and
- a plug capable of being operatively coupled to the drill, wherein the plug is configured to fill the void in the plate, and wherein the plug is deposited in the void.
A method comprising:
- removing a first portion of a projectile from an armor plate, wherein the first portion protrudes above an outer surface of the armor plate, and wherein the damaged portion is removed by a cutter;
- advancing the cutter into the armor plate to remove the projectile from the armor plate to create a void in the armor plate;
- and
- advancing a rotating plug into the void, wherein the plug bonds to a surface defining the void in the armor plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.