IP Library Granted Patent US 12,533,728
Granted Patent B2
US 12,533,728 · App. 18/475,094 · Granted Jan 27, 2026

Systems and methods for repairing compressor blades using hybrid manufacturing techniques

Inventors: James Whitton (East Burke, VT); Zachary Oras (Riverview, FL); Zachary Hopkins (San Diego, CA)
Assignee: Chromalloy Gas Turbine LLC
B22F7/062B22F5/04B22F10/40B22F10/66B33Y40/20B22F2007/068
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,533,728
App. No.
18/475,094
Granted
Jan 27, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for repairing compressor blades using hybrid manufacturing. A mounting tool for use in repairing a turbine component includes a slot formed in the mounting tool. The slot is configured to receive the turbine component for securing the turbine component to the mounting tool. The mounting tool includes at least one fastener engageable with the turbine component and capable of retaining the turbine component within the slot; and at least a pair of support bases provided on the mounting tool. Each of the at least a pair of support bases is positioned adjacent a respect edge of the turbine component when the turbine component is retained in the mounting tool. Each of the at least a pair of support bases is configured for additively building a sacrificial support on each of the at least a pair of support bases for enabling repair of the turbine component.

Claims (41)

1 . A mounting tool for use in repairing a turbine component, the turbine component including at least a first edge, an opposing second edge, and a tip, the mounting tool comprising:

a slot formed in the mounting tool, the slot configured to receive the turbine component and to secure the turbine component to the mounting tool;

at least one threaded fastener engageable by direct contact with the turbine component and capable of retaining the turbine component within the slot; and

at least a first support base and a second support base on the mounting tool, the first support base facing the first edge of the turbine component and having a first gap therebetween, the second support base facing the second edge of the turbine component and having a second gap therebetween, the tip of the turbine component and an uppermost surface of each of the first support base and the second support base being coplanar to facilitate fabrication of additively-built planar layers on each of the tip and the uppermost surfaces of the first support base and the second support base;

wherein, the uppermost surface of each of the first support base and the second support base is accessible in its entirety and is configured for additively building a respective sacrificial support thereon for enabling repair of the turbine component; and

wherein at least the first support base is releasably attached to the mounting tool.

2 . The mounting tool of claim 1 , wherein the mounting tool includes x, y, and z orientations, and the at least one threaded fastener includes a threaded fastener oriented in the y orientation of the mounting tool.

3 . The mounting tool of claim 1 , wherein the at least one threaded fastener includes a screw fastener.

4 . The mounting tool of claim 2 , wherein the at least one threaded fastener oriented in the y orientation of the mounting tool is a screw fastener.

5 . The mounting tool of claim 1 , further including an aperture configured for allowing the at least one threaded fastener to be accessed.

6 . The mounting tool of claim 1 , further including a mechanism for securing the mounting tool to a hybrid manufacturing machine.

7 . The mounting tool of claim 6 , wherein the hybrid manufacturing machine includes each of additive manufacturing and subtractive manufacturing.

8 . The mounting tool of claim 1 , further including at least one mounting feature configured for securing the mounting tool to a hybrid manufacturing machine.

9 . The mounting tool of claim 8 , wherein the at least one mounting feature includes at least one releasable mounting feature releasably securing the mounting tool to the hybrid manufacturing machine.

10 . The mounting tool of claim 1 , wherein the turbine component is a turbine compressor blade.

11 . A mounting tool for use in repairing a turbine blade, the turbine blade including at least a first edge, an opposing second edge, and a tip, the mounting tool comprising:

a slot formed in the mounting tool, the slot configured to receive the turbine blade and to secure the turbine blade to the mounting tool;

at least one fastener engageable with the turbine blade and capable of retaining the turbine blade within the slot;

at least a first support base and a second support base on the mounting tool, the first support base facing the first edge of the turbine blade and having a first gap therebetween, the second support base facing the second edge of the turbine blade and having a second gap therebetween, the tip of the turbine blade and an uppermost surface of each of the first support base and the second support base being coplanar to facilitate fabrication of additively-built planar layers on each of the tip and the uppermost surfaces of the first support base and the second support base; and

at least one mounting feature configured for securing the mounting tool to a hybrid manufacturing machine;

wherein the uppermost surface of each of the first support base and the second support base is accessible in its entirety and is configured for additively building a respective sacrificial support thereon for enabling repair of the turbine blade;

wherein each of the first and the second support bases is releasably attached to the mounting tool.

12 . The mounting tool of claim 11 , wherein each of the first and the second support bases is configured to align with a curvature geometry of the turbine blade.

13 . The mounting tool of claim 11 , wherein:

the mounting tool includes x, y, and z orientations; and

the at least one fastener includes a fastener oriented in the y orientation.

14 . A mounting tool for use in repairing a turbine component, the turbine component including at least a first edge, an opposing second edge, and a tip, the mounting tool comprising:

a slot formed in the mounting tool, the slot configured to receive the turbine component and to secure the turbine component to the mounting tool;

at least one threaded fastener engageable by direct contact with the turbine component and capable of retaining the turbine component within the slot; and

at least a first support base and a second support base on the mounting tool, the first support base facing the first edge of the turbine component and having a first gap therebetween, the second support base facing the second edge of the turbine component and having a second gap therebetween, the tip of the turbine component and an uppermost surface of each of the first support base and the second support base being coplanar to facilitate fabrication of additively-built planar layers on each of the tip and the uppermost surfaces of the first support base and the second support base;

wherein, the uppermost surface of each of the first support base and the second support base is accessible in its entirety and is configured for additively building a respective sacrificial support thereon for enabling repair of the turbine component;

wherein each of the first support base and the second support base is releasably attached to the mounting tool.

15 . The mounting tool of claim 14 , wherein the mounting tool includes x, y, and z orientations, and the at least one threaded fastener includes a threaded fastener oriented in the y orientation of the mounting tool.

16 . The mounting tool of claim 14 , wherein the at least one threaded fastener includes a screw fastener.

17 . The mounting tool of claim 15 , wherein the at least one threaded fastener oriented in the y orientation of the mounting tool is a screw fastener.

18 . The mounting tool of claim 14 , further including an aperture configured for allowing the at least one threaded fastener to be accessed.

19 . The mounting tool of claim 14 , further including a mechanism for securing the mounting tool to a hybrid manufacturing machine.

20 . The mounting tool of claim 19 , wherein the hybrid manufacturing machine includes each of additive manufacturing and subtractive manufacturing.

21 . The mounting tool of claim 14 , further including at least one mounting feature configured for securing the mounting tool to a hybrid manufacturing machine.

22 . The mounting tool of claim 21 , wherein the at least one mounting feature includes at least one releasable mounting feature releasably securing the mounting tool to the hybrid manufacturing machine.

23 . The mounting tool of claim 14 , wherein the turbine component is a turbine compressor blade.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 27, 2024
From: CHROMALLOY GAS TURBINE LLC
To: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
Reel/Frame 066926/0565 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 5, 2023
From: WHITTON, JAMES; ORAS, ZACHARY; HOPKINS, ZACHARY
To: CHROMALLOY GAS TURBINE LLC
Reel/Frame 065140/0392 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 17931500 · Sep 12, 2022
Related Publication 20240082915A1 · Mar 14, 2024
References Cited (11)
US 4128929A · DeMusis · 1978 [cited by examiner]
US 11819920B1 · Whitton et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 20050109816A1 · Swartzbeck · 2005 [cited by examiner]
US 20090255307A1 · Davis · 2009 [cited by examiner]
US 20120222306A1 · Mittendorf et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20160059315A1 · Baudimont · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20170129180A1 · Coates et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20190030824A1 · Tan · 2019 [cited by applicant]
WO 2020238386A1 · 2020 [cited by applicant]
Notice of Allowance, dated Oct. 6, 2023, 10 pages, issued in U.S. Appl. No. 17/931,500. [cited by applicant]
Extended European Search Report, dated Feb. 28, 2024, 11 pages, received in European Patent Application No. 23196256.4. [cited by applicant]