Machining system having a tool for finishing airfoils

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9802288-B2
Application number	US-201514741056-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 16, 2015
Priority date	Jun 16, 2014
Publication date	Oct 31, 2017
Grant date	Oct 31, 2017

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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. 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.

2. The tool set forth in claim 1 , wherein the profiler includes a round-over portion adjacent to the second end for rounding the edge.

3. The tool set forth in claim 2 , wherein the profiler includes an abrasive coating.

4. 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.

5. The tool set forth in claim 4 , wherein the profiler includes abrasive grains for cutting.

6. 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.

7. The machining system set forth in claim 6 further comprising:
a force feedback device.

8. The machining system set forth in claim 7 further comprising:
an optical sensor.

9. The machining system set forth in claim 7 further comprising:
a thermal, infrared, sensor.

Assignees

• United Technologies Corp

Inventors

• Rizzo Jr John P
• Barron Alan C
• Wagner Joel H

Classifications

• B24B19/14 Primary

  for grinding turbine blades, propeller blades or the like (using grinding belts B24B21/16) · CPC title

• F05D2230/14

  Micromachining · CPC title

• F05D2220/32

  in gas turbines · CPC title

• B24B27/0038

  with the grinding tool mounted at the end of a set of bars · CPC title

• F01D5/005

  Repairing methods or devices · CPC title