Apparatus and method for precision excavation and welding of thick-walled components
AssigneeElectric Power Research Institute, Inc.
InventorsShane J. Findlan, Gregory J. Frederick, Artie G. Peterson, Jr., J. Darryl Baucom
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Abstract
A method of repairing a substrate includes the step of excavating a well in the substrate with an electrical discharge machining operation. A wire is then delivered to the well. Simultaneously, laser energy is routed to the well such that the laser energy intersects with the wire to produce a reconstruction weld in the well. A tool delivery system with an electrical discharge machining tool head and a reconstruction welding tool head is used to perform the excavation and welding operations.
Claims11
A method of repairing a substrate, said method comprising the steps of:
- excavating, with an electrical discharge machining operation, a well in a substrate that is ½ inch or thicker;
- delivering a wire to said well;
- and
- routing laser energy to said well, such that said laser energy intersects with said wire to produce a reconstruction weld in said well, said reconstruction weld being formed without having to melt said substrate.
An apparatus for repairing a substrate, comprising:
- a tool delivery system;
- an electrical discharge machining tool head positionable on said tool delivery system to excavate a well in a substrate, wherein said electrical discharge machining tool head includes an elastomer seal for contacting said substrate, such that an electrode of said electrical discharge machining tool head is enclosed between said electrical discharge machining tool head, said substrate, and said elastomer seal;
- and
- a laser reconstruction welding tool head positionable on said tool delivery system to deliver a wire and laser energy to said well, such that a reconstruction weld is formed in said well, said reconstruction weld being formed without having to melt said substrate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.