Method for fluent mass surface texturing a turbine vane
OwnerGlenn R. Gilliaminventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for providing vanes with a surface texture of less than 10.times.10.sup.-6 inches rms. The method employs a fluent mass having a particulate size less than 1.5 inches and abrasive materials in a centrifugal barrel to achieve a surface texture between 11-27.times.10.sup.-6 inches rms. A refinement cut employs a finer abrasive and a cycle time of less than 30 minutes to provide a burnished surface texture of between 5-8.times.10.sup.-6 inches rms. A final coloring cycle, employing only a coloring compound, is employed to provide a highly reflective surface texture between approximately 4-7.times.10.sup.-6 inches rms.
Claims39
An apparatus for providing a surface texture on a plurality of vanes, comprising:
- (a) a barrel sized to retain a plurality of vanes;
- (b) a rack sized to be received with the barrel, such that the rack is configured to secure a plurality of vanes within the barrel so as to substantially fix the vanes relative to the barrel;
- (c) a fluent mass movably received within the barrel so that the fluent mass occupies at least 30% of the volume of the barrel;
- (d) a lubricating fluid for substantially wetting the surface of the fluent mass;
- (e) an abrasive material for abrading the vanes as the fluent mass impinges the vanes so as to produce a surface texture of less than 10.times.10.sup.-6 rms;
- and
- (f) centrifugal barrel finishing means for moving the barrel so that the fluent mass impinges the vanes.
A method for providing a surface texture on a vane, comprising:
- (a) securing the vane relative to a barrel;
- (b) introducing a fluent mass into the barrel so that the fluent mass occupies at least 30% of the volume of the barrel;
- (c) introducing an abrasive material to the fluent mass so that the abrasive material is substantially disposed on the fluent mass;
- (d) introducing a lubricating fluid into the barrel to substantially wet the surface of the fluent mass;
- and
- (e) moving the barrel in a centrifugal barrel finishing machine so that the fluent mass causes the abrasive material to impinge the blade so as to produce a surface texture of less than 10.times.10.sup.-6 inches in less than 30 minutes.
A method as defined in claim 28, wherein the step of introducing an abrasive material comprises introducing an abrasive in the range of 24 grit to 500 grit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.