IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,655,765
Granted Patent B1
US 12,655,765 · App. 19/232,409 · Granted Jun 16, 2026

Method for repairing vane of gas turbine engine

Inventor: Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley (Rocky Hill, CT)
Assignee: RTX Corporation
F01D5/005B23P6/007F05D2230/237F05D2230/80
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,655,765
App. No.
19/232,409
Granted
Jun 16, 2026
Kind
B1
Abstract

A method for repairing a component of a gas turbine engine is provided. The method includes perforating apertures through a braze tape based on a shape of a degraded region of the component, and applying the braze tape to the component such that the braze tape covers the degraded region and the apertures surround a perimeter of the degraded region. The method also includes bonding the braze tape and the component via a thermal brazing treatment, and contouring the braze tape to conform to an original profile of the component based on monitoring depths of the apertures.

Claims (48)

1 . A method for repairing a component of a gas turbine engine, the method comprising:

perforating apertures through a braze tape based on a shape of a degraded region of the component;

applying the braze tape to the component such that the braze tape covers the degraded region and the apertures surround a perimeter of the degraded region;

bonding the braze tape and the component via a thermal brazing treatment; and

contouring the braze tape to conform to an original profile of the component based on monitoring depths of the apertures.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

sizing and cutting the braze tape to cover the degraded region.

3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

applying a braze-resist coating to interior surfaces of the apertures to block migration of a braze alloy of the braze tape into to the apertures during the thermal brazing treatment.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the braze tape comprises a diffusion braze tape, and bonding the braze tape and the component via the thermal brazing treatment comprises:

heating the diffusion braze tape and the component to a brazing temperature to diffuse the braze alloy into the component; and

cooling the diffusion braze tape and the component from the brazing temperature to an ambient temperature.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein, in applying the braze tape, the apertures overlie an undamaged surface of the component.

6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein contouring the braze tape comprises:

grinding excess material from the braze tape based on the original profile of the component while monitoring the depths of the apertures; and

ceasing the grinding based on an increased exposure of the undamaged surface of the component at locations of the apertures.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein contouring the braze tape further comprises:

blending a ground area of the braze tape between the locations of the apertures to restore the original profile of the component.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein perforating the apertures comprises:

determining a number of the apertures based on the shape of the degraded region.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the number of the apertures correlates with a magnitude of curvature variation in the shape of the degraded region.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the component comprises a vane of the gas turbine engine or an airfoil of the vane.

11 . A method for repairing a component of a gas turbine engine, the method comprising:

perforating apertures through a braze tape based on a shape of a degraded region of the component;

applying the braze tape to the component such that the braze tape covers the degraded region and the apertures overlie an undamaged surface of the component;

bonding the braze tape and the component;

grinding excess material from the braze tape based on an original profile of the component while monitoring depths of the apertures; and

ceasing the grinding based on an increased exposure of the undamaged surface of the component at locations of the apertures.

12 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

sizing and cutting the braze tape to cover the degraded region.

13 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

applying a braze-resist coating to interior surfaces of the apertures to block migration of a braze alloy of the braze tape into to the apertures during bonding.

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the braze tape comprises a diffusion braze tape, and bonding the braze tape and the component comprises:

heating the diffusion braze tape and the component to a brazing temperature to diffuse the braze alloy into the component; and

cooling the braze tape and the component from the brazing temperature to an ambient temperature.

15 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

blending a ground area of the braze tape between the locations of the apertures to restore the original profile of the component.

16 . The method of claim 11 , wherein perforating the apertures comprises:

determining a number of the apertures based on the shape of the degraded region.

17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the number of the apertures correlates with a magnitude of curvature variation in the shape of the degraded region.

18 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the component comprises a vane of the gas turbine engine or an airfoil of the vane.

19 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the degraded region comprises a thermally degraded region.

20 . A method for repairing a component of a gas turbine engine, the method comprising:

perforating apertures through a braze tape based on a shape of a degraded region of the component;

applying the braze tape to the component such that the braze tape covers the degraded region;

applying a braze-resist coating to interior surfaces of the apertures;

bonding the braze tape and the component via a thermal brazing treatment, wherein the braze-resist coating blocks migration of a braze alloy of the braze tape into the apertures; and

contouring the braze tape to conform to an original profile of the component based on monitoring depths the apertures.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 9, 2025
From: PROPHETER-HINCKLEY, TRACY A.
To: RTX CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 071365/0487 →
References Cited (3)
US 10502058B2 · Chabane · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10927684B2 · Bogue · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 12508675B1 · Henderson · 2025 [cited by examiner]