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US 2021/0332706 A1Published application
Methods and assemblies for bonding airfoil components together
AssigneeRaytheon Technologies Corporation
InventorsDaniel A. Bales, Brian T. Hazel, Thomas DeMichael
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
During a bonding process, a tip cap and an airfoil base are provided. The tip cap is arranged on the airfoil base. The tip cap is diffusion bonded to the airfoil base.
Claims20
A bonding process, comprising:
- providing a tip cap and an airfoil base;
- arranging the tip cap on the airfoil base;
- and
- diffusion bonding the tip cap to the airfoil base.
1 more element
A bonding assembly, comprising:
- a housing including a first sidewall, a second sidewall and an end wall, the end wall connected to the first sidewall and the second sidewall, the end wall configured to engage a tip cap of an airfoil during a bonding process where the tip cap is bonded to an airfoil base of the airfoil, and a cavity formed within the housing by at least the first sidewall, the second sidewall and the end wall;
- a support fixture arranged within the cavity, the support fixture configured to support the airfoil base during the bonding process;
- an actuator configured to move the support fixture within the cavity towards the end wall such that the airfoil base is pressed against the tip cap during the bonding process;
- and
- a heating element configured to heat at least an interface between the tip cap and the airfoil base during the bonding process.
2 more elements
A bonding assembly, comprising:
- a housing including an end wall, a first cavity and a second cavity, the end wall configured to engage a first tip cap of a first rotor blade and to engage a second tip cap of a second rotor blade during a bonding process where the first tip cap is bonded to a first airfoil base of the first rotor blade and where the second tip cap is bonded to a second airfoil base of the second rotor blade;
- a first support fixture arranged within the first cavity, the first support fixture configured to support the first airfoil base during the bonding process;
- a second support fixture arranged within the second cavity, the second support fixture configured to support the second airfoil base during the bonding process;
- a first actuator configured to move the first support fixture within the first cavity towards the end wall such that the first airfoil base is pressed against the first tip cap during the bonding process;
- a second actuator configured to move the second support fixture within the second cavity towards the end wall such that the second airfoil base is pressed against the second tip cap during the bonding process;
- a heating system configured to heat at least a first interface between the first tip cap and the first airfoil base and a second interface between the second tip cap and the second airfoil base during the bonding process;
- and
- a synchronization device configured to synchronize the movement of the first support fixture and the second support fixture.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.