Machining system having a tool for finishing airfoils
AssigneeUnited Technologies Corporation
InventorsJohn P. Rizzo, Jr., Alan C. Barron, Joel H. Wagner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An abrasive profiling tool that may be part of a robotic machining system for machining a trailing edge of an airfoil, includes a shank extending along a rotational axis, a bearing guide rotationally secured to a distal end of the shank for riding upon the airfoil; and an abrasive profiler projecting radially and rigidly outward from the shank for grinding at least the trailing edge as the shank rotates. The profiler may include a round-over portion for grinding the trailing edge and a chamfered blending portion for grinding adjacent surfaces of the airfoil to produce a smooth transition from the adjacent surfaces and to the trailing edge.
Claims9
A tool for machining an edge of an airfoil, the tool comprising:
- a shank extending along a rotational axis, and including a distal end;
- a bearing guide rotationally secured to the distal end for riding upon the airfoil;
- and
- an abrasive profiler projecting radially and rigidly outward from the shank for grinding at least the edge as the shank rotates;
- wherein the profiler includes a chamfered blending portion extending axially between a first end adjacent to the bearing guide and a second end, the first end having a first diameter that is equal to or less than a diameter of the bearing guide, and the second end having a second diameter that is greater than the diameter of the bearing guide and the first diameter.
A tool for machining a trailing edge of an airfoil, the tool comprising:
- a shank extending along a rotational axis, and including a distal end;
- an abrasive profiler projecting radially and rigidly outward from the shank for grinding the trailing edge as the shank rotates;
- and
- a bearing guide rotationally secured to the distal end of the shank for riding upon the airfoil;
- wherein the profiler includes a chamfered portion extending axially between a distal first end and a second end, the first end having a first diameter that is less than a second diameter of the second end;
- wherein the profiler includes a round-over portion adjacent to the second end for rounding the trailing edge;
- and
- wherein the bearing guide has a diameter that is equal to or greater than the first diameter.
A machining system for shaping a trailing edge of an airfoil, the system comprising:
- a tool including a shank extending along a rotational axis-end, an abrasive profiler projecting radially and rigidly outward from the shank for grinding at least the trailing edge as the shank rotates, and a bearing guide rotationally secured to a distal end of the shank for riding upon the airfoil;
- a robot having an arm engaged to the shank;
- wherein the robot is constructed and arranged to apply a specified force between the tool and the airfoil;
- wherein the profiler includes a chamfered portion extending axially between a distal first end and a second end, the first end having a first diameter that is less than a second diameter of the second end;
- wherein the profiler includes a round-over portion adjacent to the second end for rounding the trailing edge;
- and
- wherein the bearing guide has a diameter that is equal to or greater than the first diameter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.