Method for ultrasonic peening of gas turbine engine components without engine disassembly

Abstract

A method for peening a component of a gas turbine engine, or a module of a gas turbine engine, without removing the component from the assembled gas turbine engine or module includes blending the damaged area of the component, determining parameters for peening the damaged component, and peening the damaged component without removing it from the engine.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of non-provisional application Ser. No. 11 / 974,581 entitled “METHOD FOR ULTRASONIC PEENING OF GAS TURBINE ENGINE COMPONENTS WITHOUT ENGINE DISASSEMPLY” by Billie W. Bunting, et al. and filed Oct. 15, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to ultrasonic peening. More specifically, the invention relates to a method of peening gas turbine engine components without disassembling the gas turbine engine or engine module. This method of in situ peening reduces the cost and time to repair damaged components of gas turbine engines. There is no need to disassemble the engine or engine module in order to repair damaged components, nor is there a need to reassemble the engine or engine module after the repair has been accomplished. Additionally, since traditional shot peening processes involve the use of extensive specialized equipment that is...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The invention is a method for peening a component of a gas turbine engine without removing the component from the assembled gas turbine engine or an engine module. In situ peening of the component reduces the time and expense of repair and reduces the time during which the gas turbine engine is not operative. As a result, repairs can be performed more efficiently and economically, resulting in greater customer satisfaction.

Problems solved by technology

However, peening can only be performed in a space that is adapted for recovering the steel shot that rebounds after impact with the target.

It also requires a large supply of steel shot.

Disassembly of a gas turbine engine is a complicated and time-consuming task.

Even after the damaged component has been removed and repaired, repair facilities often lack the capability to conduct peening processes, so the damaged component must be shipped to a third party for repair.

As a result, the time and expense required for such a repair can result in significant expense, delay and customer dissatisfaction.

Stray shot that enters the engine has the potential to cause extensive damage.

This masking process is very burdensome and therefore not commercially practical.

Even with masking, there is considerable risk that stray peening media may be introduced into the gas turbine engine, causing considerable damage.

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