Methods for repairing or restoring impeller seals of a centrifugal compressor

Abstract

A method of repairing or restoring an impeller seal tooth is provided. The method includes the step of inspecting each tooth of the impeller seal to determine what portions of the tooth requires repair. To repair the tooth, the worn portions may be removed via a pre-machining process to a base of the tooth, or other weldable surface of the tooth. The method further includes applying a weld to the weldable surface, via a pulsed laser beam welding process, to build up the weld into a substantially tapered shape corresponding to a shape of a restored seal tooth. After building the weld into the tapered shape, the method includes machining the tapered shaped into the restored seal tooth, and testing the restored seal tooth via a balance and speed testing.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.