Methods for repairing component cored passages

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10927995-B2
Application number	US-201816181831-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 6, 2018
Priority date	Nov 6, 2018
Publication date	Feb 23, 2021
Grant date	Feb 23, 2021

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for repairing a damaged area within a cored passage of a component. The method includes providing a repair tool that has a support portion, a leading portion extending from a first end of the support portion, and a trailing portion extending from a second end of the support portion. The leading portion of the repair tool is inserted into a first opening of the cored passage, and is threaded through the cored passage until the support portion is positioned at the damaged area within the cored passage. A restoration activity is performed on the damaged area as the support portion supports the cored passage proximate to the damaged area. Upon completion of the restoration activity, the repair tool is removed from the cored passage.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of repairing a damaged area within a cored passage of a component, comprising the steps of:
providing a repair tool with a hollow support portion, a hollow leading portion extending from a first end of the support portion, and a hollow trailing portion extending from a second end of the support portion, wherein the support portion is cylindrical and has a first diameter, the leading portion and the trailing portion each have a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, and wherein at least one of the leading portion or the trailing portion includes evenly spaced distance markings on an outer surface thereof, each distance marking representing a distance from an end the support portion to the distance marking;
inserting the leading portion of the repair tool into a first opening of the cored passage;
threading the repair tool through the cored passage until the distance markings indicate the support portion is positioned at the damaged area within the cored passage;
performing a restoration activity on the damaged area as the support portion supports the cored passage proximate to the damaged area; and
removing, upon completion of the restoration activity, the repair tool from the cored passage.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the leading portion is a cord material, and wherein the threading step includes threading the repair tool through the cored passage by pulling the leading portion.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the trailing portion is a rod, and wherein the threading step includes threading the repair tool through the cored passage by pushing the trailing portion.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first diameter is approximately equal to a diameter of the cored passage.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, upon positioning the support portion at the damaged area, inflating the support portion with a fluid.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the inflating step includes inflating the support portion with a gas.

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the inflating step includes inflating the support portion with a liquid.

8. The method of claim 5 , wherein the inflating step includes inflating the support portion with a gel.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, upon positioning the support portion at the damaged area, circulating a coolant through the repair tool.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of performing the restoration activity includes welding the damaged area.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of threading the repair tool through the cored passage includes manipulating the repair tool with air from a pressurize source until the support portion is positioned at the damaged area within the cored passage.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of threading the repair tool through the cored passage includes manipulating the repair tool with air from a suction air source until the support portion is positioned at the damaged area within the cored passage.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the restoration activity on the damaged area comprises one or more of welding, brazing, soldering, polymer resin infill, composite material repair, and ceramic repair.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of removing the repair tool from the cored passage includes manipulating the repair tool with air from a pressurize source.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of removing the repair tool through the cored passage includes manipulating the repair tool with air from a suction air source.

16. A repair tool for use in repairing a damaged area within a cored passage of a component, the repair tool comprising:
a hollow support portion formed of a first material and having a first end and a second end, the support portion being cylindrical and having a first diameter;
a hollow leading portion formed of a second material that is different from the first material and extending from the first end of the support portion to a first distal end, the leading portion having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter; and
a hollow trailing portion formed of the second material and extending from the second end of the support portion to a second distal end, the trailing portion having the second diameter,
wherein the first and second distal ends are each tufted, and
wherein at least one of the leading portion or the trailing portion includes evenly spaced distance markings on an outer surface thereof, each distance marking representing a distance from the support portion to the distance marking.

17. A method of repairing a damaged area within a cored passage of a component, comprising the steps of:
providing a repair tool with a hollow support portion, a hollow leading portion extending from a first end of the support portion, and a hollow trailing portion extending from a second end of the support portion, wherein the support portion is cylindrical and has a first diameter, the leading portion and the trailing portion each have a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, and wherein at least one of the leading portion or the trailing portion includes evenly spaced distance markings on an outer surface thereof, each distance marking representing a distance from the support portion to the distance marking;
inserting the leading portion of the repair tool into a first opening of the cored passage;
threading the repair tool through the cored passage until the distance markings indicate the support portion is positioned at the damaged area within the cored passage;
circulating a coolant between the trailing portion and the leading portion and through the support portion;
monitoring one or more parameters of the coolant;
automatically controlling flow of the coolant based on the one more monitored parameters;
performing a restoration activity on the damaged area as the support portion supports the cored passage proximate to the damaged area; and
removing, upon completion of the restoration activity, the repair tool from the cored passage.

Assignees

• Honeywell Int Inc

Inventors

• Bowler John

Classifications

• B23P6/00 Primary

  Restoring or reconditioning objects (straightening or restoring form of sheet metal, metal rods, metal tubes, metal profiles, or specific articles made therefrom B21D1/00, B21D3/00; repairing defective or damaged objects by casting techniques B22D19/10) · CPC title

• F16L55/162

  from inside the pipe ({F16L55/1612 takes precedence;} specially adapted for bends, branch units, branching pipes, or the like F16L55/179) · CPC title

• B29C73/32

  using an elastic element, e.g. inflatable bag · CPC title

• F16L55/18 Primary

  Appliances for use in repairing pipes (F16L55/10 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F16L55/134

  by means of an inflatable packing · CPC title