IP Library Granted Patent US 11,213,882
Granted Patent B2
US 11,213,882 · App. 17/227,895 · Granted Jan 4, 2022

Core pattern reformer tool

Inventors: Gerald Clement Dodds (Lutz, FL); Thomas John Molkentin (Lithia, FL)
Assignee: Chromalloy Gas Turbine LLC
B22C9/22B22C7/02B22C7/065B22C9/067B22C9/10B22C9/101B22C9/106
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,213,882
App. No.
17/227,895
Granted
Jan 4, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A tool for reforming a core pattern. A method of reforming a core pattern comprises opening a core reformer tool. The core reformer tool has a first portion and a second portion facing the first portion. The first portion includes a concave member and a first adjustable pin. The second portion includes a convex member and a second adjustable pin. The method includes positioning the core pattern in the core reformer tool and closing the core reformer tool. The method comprises adjusting at least one of the first adjustable pin and the second adjustable pin to alter a surface of the core pattern. The method includes directing cooling air through the core reformer tool to solidify the core pattern and opening the core reformer tool to remove the core pattern.

Claims (38)

1. A method of reforming a core pattern comprising:

providing the core pattern corresponding to an internal profile of a turbine blade core;

adjusting one or more adjustable pins of a core reforming tool, the core reforming tool having a first portion with a concave portion and a second portion with a convex portion;

positioning the core pattern in the core reforming tool;

closing the core reforming tool such that the second portion is moved towards the first portion; and,

directing cooling air through the core reforming tool and solidifying the core pattern.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising adjusting the one or more adjustable pins of the core reforming tool to alter a surface of the core pattern.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein adjusting the one or more adjustable pins comprises adjusting at least one set screw associated with the one or more adjustable pins.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein at least one of the one or more adjustable pins is associated with the first portion and at least another of the one or more adjustable pins is associated with the second portion.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more adjustable pins has a rounded edge and a surface contoured according to the core pattern.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cooling air is provided by a vortex air chiller.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cooling air is directed through the core reforming tool after the core pattern is in a nominal position.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising directing cooling air around the core pattern.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the first portion and the second portion includes at least one non-adjustable pin.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more adjustable pin has a reforming end configured to reform the core pattern and a planar end.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising locking the first portion relative to the second portion prior to directing the cooling air through the core reforming tool.

12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising removably coupling a cover plate to one of the first portion and the second portion.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the other of the first portion and the second portion includes a counterbalancing member.

14. A method of reforming a core pattern comprising:

opening a core reformer tool, the core reformer tool having a first portion and a second portion facing the first portion, the first portion including a concave member and a first adjustable pin, the second portion including a convex member and a second adjustable pin;

positioning the core pattern in the core reformer tool;

closing the core reformer tool;

adjusting at least one of the first adjustable pin and the second adjustable pin to alter a surface of the core pattern;

directing cooling air through the core reformer tool to solidify the core pattern; and

opening the core reformer tool to remove the core pattern.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising locking the core reformer tool to curtail relative movement between the first portion and the second portion.

16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising adjusting at least one of the first adjustable pin and the second adjustable pin using a set screw associated therewith.

17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the first portion has a first set screw for adjusting the first adjustable pin and the second portion has a second set screw for adjusting the second adjustable pin.

18. A method of reforming a core pattern comprising:

providing a core reformer tool, the core reformer tool comprising:

a first portion having a concave section and a second portion having a convex section;

an adjustable pin extending from at least one of the first portion and the second portion; and

an air inlet;

positioning the core pattern in the core reformer tool;

adjusting the adjustable pin to alter a surface of the core pattern; and

directing cooling air via the air inlet to solidify the core pattern.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein in an original position the adjustable pin is flush with one of the first portion and the second portion.

20. The method of claim 18 , further comprising adjusting the adjustable pin using a set screw associated with the adjustable pin.

Assignments (4)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 27, 2024
From: HPS INVESTMENT PARTNERS, LLC
To: CHROMALLOY GAS TURBINE LLC
Reel/Frame 066923/0229 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 27, 2024
From: CHROMALLOY GAS TURBINE LLC
To: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
Reel/Frame 066926/0565 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 23, 2022
From: CHROMALLOY GAS TURBINE LLC
To: HPS INVESTMENT PARTNERS, LLC
Reel/Frame 061869/0287 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 20, 2021
From: DODDS, GERALD CLEMENT; MOLKENTIN, THOMAS JOHN
To: CHROMALLOY GAS TURBINE LLC
Reel/Frame 055980/0321 →