# US 2017/0254221 A1 · Gas Turbine In Situ Inflatable Bladders for On-Wing Repair

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2017/0254221 A1
- Document ID: US20170254221A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/057,236
- Filed: 2016-03-01
- Published: 2017-09-07
- Earliest claimed: 2016-03-01
- Assignees: General Electric Company
- Applicants: General Electric Company
- Inventors: Herbert Chidsey Roberts; David Scott Diwinsky
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170254221A1

## CPC

- F01D 25/285: {Temporary support structures, e.g. for testing, assembling, installing, repairing; Assembly methods using such structures}
- F01D 5/005: {Repairing methods or devices}
- F01D 25/002: {Cleaning of turbomachines}
- F05D 2220/32: in gas turbines
- F05D 2230/60: Assembly methods
- F05D 2230/80: Repairing, retrofitting or upgrading methods
- F01D: NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES (machines or engines for liquids F03; non-positive displacement pumps F04D)
- F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS

## Abstract

A method for forming an in situ temporary barrier within a gas turbine engine is provided. The method can include installing a bladder within the gas turbine engine, wherein the bladder defines a bladder body, and inflating the bladder with an inflating fluid such that the bladder body forms a circumferential seal within the gas turbine engine. The bladder body can be positioned between a row of stator vanes and an annular array of rotating blades to form a circumferential seal therebetween. A second bladder may be positioned circumferentially within the gas turbine engine.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for forming an in situ temporary barrier within a gas turbine engine, the method comprising:
installing a bladder within the gas turbine engine, wherein the bladder defines a bladder body;
inflating the bladder with an inflating fluid such that the bladder body forms a circumferential seal within the gas turbine engine; and
installing a second bladder positioned circumferentially within the gas turbine engine; wherein the second bladder is axially spaced apart from the first bladder.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method as in claim 1, wherein the bladder body is positioned between a row of stator vanes and an annular array of rotating blades to form a circumferential seal therebetween.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method as in claim 1, wherein the bladder comprises a plastic material.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method as in claim 3, wherein the plastic material is a film.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The method as in claim 3, wherein the plastic material is a fibrous web.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method as in claim 1, wherein the bladder comprises a rubber material.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method as in claim 1, wherein the bladder comprises a paper material.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method as in claim 1, wherein the inflating fluid comprises a liquid, a foam, or a gas.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method as in claim 1, wherein the inflating fluid comprises cleaning fluid.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method as in claim 1, wherein the inflating fluid comprises an organic material.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method as in claim 10, wherein the organic material comprises wood chips, wood pellets, nut shells, or a mixture thereof.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method as in claim 1, wherein the bladder body defines exit ports configured to supply the inflating fluid into the gas turbine engine.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method as in claim 12, wherein the inflating fluid has a fluid flow rate into the bladder body that is greater than a fluid outflow rate through the exit ports.

### Claim 14

(canceled)

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method as in claim 14, further comprising:
inflating the second bladder with an inflating fluid.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The method as in claim 14, wherein the second bladder defines a plurality of ports therein.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The method as in claim 16, wherein the second bladder is connected to a collection pump drawing a vacuum through the second bladder and the plurality of ports.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The method as in claim 17, wherein any fluid exiting the bladder body is recovered through the ports of the second bladder.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The method as in claim 18, wherein the second bladder is adjacent to a third bladder for structural stability during fluid recovery.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The method as in claim 19, wherein the second bladder is attached to the third bladder to form an integrated double bladder that defines separate internal compartments.