Apparatus for retouching, in situ, components such as the rotor blades of a turbomachine, and a retouching method using the apparatus
AssigneeSociete Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation "S.N.E.C.M.A."
InventorsPierre L. Desgranges, Jerome Werstler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus for retouching, in situ, a located defect on a component of an assembly, such as a turbomachine rotor, situated within a casing, the apparatus including an endoscope carried by a body external to the casing, a support tube carried by the body for insertion through a hole in the casing, and a control rod extending along the tube and connected to a foldable extension member pivoted at the end of the tube and carrying a retouching tool.
Claims7
Apparatus for retouching, in situ, a localized defect on a component of an assembly situated within a casing, comprising:
- an observation device which includes an endoscope including a light source, viewing means, a lens, and connecting means for transmitting an image from said lens to said viewing means, a body carrying said endoscope and arranged to remain outside the casing for control by the operator during use of the apparatus, a support tube carried by said body for insertion through an observation hole provided in said casing, a foldable extension member pivotally mounted at the remote end of said support tube, a control rod extending along said support tube and connected to said extension member for pivoting said extension member relative to said tube, and a retouching tool carried by said extension member;
- a rod and crank unit connected to said support tube;
- and
- a wheel actuated lever and slide system for engaging said rod and crank unit for adjusting the longitudinal stroke of said support tube and thus said retouching tool.
A method of retouching a localized defect on a component, such as a turbomachine rotor blade, of an assembly situated within a casing provided with an observation hole therein, the method comprising the following steps:
- (a) providing retouching apparatus having an observation device which includes an endoscope including a light source, viewing means, a lens, and connecting means for transmitting an image from said lens to said viewing means, a body carrying said endoscope and arranged to remain outside the casing for control by the operator during use of the apparatus, a support tube carried by said body for insertion through an observation hole provided in said casing, a foldable extension member pivotally mounted at the remote end of said support tube, a control rod extending along said support tube and connected to said extension member for pivoting said extension member relative to said tube, and a retouching tool carried by said extension member;
- (b) inserting the support tube and lens end of the endoscope of said apparatus through said observation hole in said casing;
- (c) locating said defect by visual scanning of said component by means of said endoscope;
- (d) positioning said apparatus and securing the body thereof to said casing;
- (e) adjusting the angular and longitudinal setting of said endoscope and then locking said endoscope in position relative to said body;
- (f) operating the control rod to move the extension member and the retouching tool of said apparatus to a desired position;
- (g) setting the stroke o said retouching tool;
- (h) starting the motor of said apparatus to effect reciprocating movement of said support tube and thereby cause said retouching tool to work on the edges of said defect while maintaining visual observation using said endoscope;
- (i) stopping said motor when retouching of said defect has been completed, operating said control rod to fold back said extension member, disconnecting said body from said casing, and withdrawing said apparatus from said observation hole.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.