Apparatus and method for guiding cutting / drilling tool and capturing generated foreign matter

Abstract

A guide for cutting a dowel pin of a rotor assembly is provided. The guide includes a collection basin including a first collection basin portion and a second collection basin portion, and a shim. The first collection basin portion and the second collection basin portion form a cutting tool receiver. The shim extends from a first edge having a cross-section complementary to a surface of the rotor assembly. The first collection basin portion and the second collection basin portion form a container that accommodates and holds a portion of the dowel pin during and after removal of the dowel pin from the rotor assembly. The cutting tool receiver is defined by a receiver edge configured to guide a cutting surface of the cutting tool through a cross-section of the dowel pin.

Description

Background Art Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to cutting tool guides, and more particularly to apparatus and methods for guiding a cutting tool in a confined space while also implementing a collection basin to capture foreign matter generated through the use of the cutting tool.

[0002] Discussion of the field

[0003] Rotating machines such as gas turbines contain rotor blades that must be removed for repair and routine maintenance. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As mentioned, the assembly supporting these rotor blades requires cutting and removing locating pins that are held in a restricted and difficult to reach location within the rotor assembly. These locating pins must be cut and removed in order to remove the circumferential locking wires that attach the rotor blades to the rotor assembly. The locating pins are installed in a restricted area that is only exposed within the assembly and is not visible.

[0004] The dowel pin is usually cut by a cutting tool (e.g., a blade or wheel) having a rotating cutting surface. Operating the cutting tool in this manner has two potential disadvantages for the operation and maintenance of the rotating machine. First, the user must completely control the cutting tool and its rotating cutting surface by hand. The dowel pin is in a limited and difficult to reach position in a large assembly of expensive components, and the portion of the dowel pin that must be cut is not easily visible during removal. Operating the rotating cutting surface in this position without any guides risks damaging surrounding components, and there is no system to prevent the user from completely passing the rotating cutting surface through the cross section of the dowel pin and into the locking line, thereby potentially requiring the replacement of additional, usually expensive components.

[0005] Secondly, operating the rotating cutting surface to cross the cross section of the dowel pin generates foreign matter in the form of shavings. These foreign matter are cast into the surrounding components in all directions and must be retrieved before the rotating machine is put back into service. Any foreign matter that is not captured and remains in the rotating machine can potentially damage many elements of the assembly, including rendering the rotor assembly inoperable.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a device that can be easily attached to various locations within a rotating machine, guide the cutting surface of a cutting device, and provide a receptacle to capture foreign matter generated by the cutting and removal of dowel pins. Summary of the invention

[0007] A simplified overview of the disclosed subject matter is presented below in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the various embodiments described herein. This overview is not an extensive review of the various embodiments. It is not intended to exclusively identify the key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter set forth in the claims, nor is it intended to be used to help determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the disclosure in a simplified form for preface, with a more detailed description presented later.

[0008] According to one embodiment, a guide for cutting a locating pin of a rotor assembly is provided. The guide includes a collection basin and a gasket, the collection basin including a first collection basin portion and a second collection basin portion. The first collection basin portion and the second collection basin portion form a cutting tool receiver. The gasket extends from a first edge having a cross-section complementary to a surface of the rotor assembly. The first collection basin portion and the second collection basin portion form a container that accommodates and retains a portion of the locating pin during and after removal of the locating pin from the rotor assembly. The cutting tool receiver is defined by a receiver edge that is configured to guide the cutting surface of the cutting tool through the cross-section of the locating pin.

[0009] According to another embodiment, a method for cutting a locating pin retained in a rotor assembly is provided. The method includes placing a shim on a receiving surface of the rotor assembly, placing a first collection basin portion on the shim, securing the first collection basin portion to the rotor assembly using a foot of the first collection basin portion, inserting a cutting tool into a receiver edge of the first collection basin, placing a second collection basin portion on the shim to form a hollow container with the first collection basin portion, and operating a rotating cutting surface of the cutting tool to pass through a cross section of the locating pin. During operation of the cutting tool, the rotating cutting surface is contained within the container.

[0010] According to an alternative embodiment, a guide for a dowel pin of a cutting rotor assembly is provided, the guide comprising a collection basin forming a cutting tool receiver and a container. The container receives and holds a portion of the dowel pin during and after removal of the dowel pin from the rotor assembly, and the cutting tool receiver has a receiver edge that guides the cutting surface of the cutting tool through the cross-section of the dowel pin. The receiver edge is a continuous edge that holds the rotating cutting surface of the cutting tool within the container. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The present invention will be better understood by reading the following description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0012] Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary rotating machine;

[0013] Figure 2shows an axial arrangement Figure 1 A perspective view of an exemplary confined space between two adjacent rows of rotor blades of a rotating machine;

[0014] Figure 3 An embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 2 A perspective view of a first embodiment of a guide within a confined space;

[0015] Figure 4 An embodiment of the present invention is shown Figure 3 A top view of a guide member;

[0016] Figure 5 An embodiment of the present invention is shown Figure 3 A top view of the guide with the second collection basin portion and the cutting tool removed;

[0017] Figure 6 An embodiment of the present invention is shown Figure 3 A top view of a first collection basin portion and a second collection basin portion of a guide;

[0018] Figure 7 An embodiment of the present invention is shown Figure 3 a side view of a second collection basin portion;

[0019] Figure 8 An embodiment of the present invention is shown Figure 3 a side view of a first collection basin portion;

[0020] Fig. 9 An embodiment of the present invention is shown Figure 3 A perspective view of the guide member of the embodiment of the present invention with a portion of the second collection basin removed;

[0021] Fig.10 An embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 2 A perspective view of a second embodiment of a guide member within a confined space with a second collection basin portion removed;

[0022] Fig.11 An embodiment of the present invention is shown Fig.10 Bottom view of the collection basin;

[0023] Fig.12 An embodiment of the present invention is shown Fig.10 A perspective view of a guide member;

[0024] Fig.13 An embodiment of the present invention is shown Fig.10A perspective view of a guide having an alternative embodiment of a gasket;

[0025] Fig.14 A gasket according to an embodiment of the present invention and Fig.10 An alternative embodiment of a first foot compatible with a guide member;

[0026] Fig.15 An embodiment of the present invention is shown Figure 3 a perspective view of a guide with a second collection basin portion removed and including an alternative embodiment of a gasket;

[0027] Fig.16 An embodiment of the present invention is shown Fig.15 Gasket;

[0028] Fig.17 The invention shows an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 An alternative embodiment of a guide-compatible gasket;

[0029] Fig.18 An embodiment of the present invention is shown Fig.16 Gaskets and cutting tools;

[0030] Fig.19 According to one embodiment of the present invention, a guide member (such as Figure 3 ) a flow chart of a method of cutting a locating pin in a rotor assembly; and

[0031] Fig. 20 An embodiment of the present invention is shown Fig.19 A flow chart of additional optional steps of the method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some but not all embodiments are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers may refer to like elements throughout.

[0033] The present disclosure is generally directed to a guide for cutting a locating pin of a rotating machine. Although various embodiments are described with respect to a rotor assembly, the guide disclosed herein is applicable to any application involving a confined and difficult to reach pin or similar fastener that must be removed without creating foreign matter in the surrounding assembly.

[0034] Turning now to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1A schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary rotary machine 10 that may be used with embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. In the exemplary embodiment, the rotary machine 10 is a gas turbine that includes an intake section 12, a compressor section 14 coupled downstream of the intake section 12, a combustor section 16 coupled downstream of the compressor section 14, a turbine section 18 coupled downstream of the combustor section 16, and an exhaust section 20 coupled downstream of the turbine section 18. In the exemplary embodiment, the turbine section 18 is coupled to the compressor section 14 via a rotor assembly 22. It should be noted that, as used herein, the term "coupled" is not limited to direct mechanical, electrical, and / or communication connections between components, but may also include indirect mechanical, electrical, and / or communication connections between components, but may also include indirect mechanical, electrical, and / or communication connections between multiple components.

[0035] In the combustor section 16, the compressed air is mixed with the fuel and ignited to produce combustion gases that are directed toward the turbine section 18. More specifically, the combustor section 16 includes at least one combustor 24 in which a fuel, such as natural gas and / or fuel oil, is injected into the air flow and the fuel-air mixture is ignited to produce high temperature combustion gases that are directed toward the turbine section 18. The turbine section 18 converts thermal energy from the combustion gas flow into mechanical rotational energy. More specifically, within the turbine section 18, the combustion gases impart rotational energy to at least one row of circumferential rotor blades 70 coupled to the rotor assembly 22.

[0036] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary confined space 78 disposed axially in the turbine section 18 ( Figure 1 More specifically, between two adjacent rows of exemplary rotor blades 70. Figure 2 , turbine section 18 is at least partially disassembled such that stator blades are no longer disposed between rows of rotor blades 70. Each rotor blade 70 includes a dovetail 76 coupled to rotor assembly 22 via an axially extending (i.e., parallel to rotor assembly 22) locating pin 72 that is retained within rotor assembly 22 at a locking line 74 extending circumferentially (as shown in FIG. Figures 3 to 5 The dowel pins 72 are mounted flush with the surface of the rotor assembly 22. The locking wire 74 circumferentially surrounds the plurality of dowel pins 72 and engages the dowel pins 72 at approximately the center of their axial length.

[0037] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary tool 100 configured to be deployed in a confined space such as 78 to remove the locating pin 72, thereby allowing the locking wire 74 to be removed from the rotor assembly 22. The guide 50 receives the tool 100 for cutting the locating pin 72, and the rotating cutting surface 102 (e.g., Fig. 9 ) to cut the locating pin 72 and retain foreign matter generated by the cutting and / or removal of the locating pin 72.

[0038] See also Figures 3 to 6 In an exemplary embodiment, the guide 50 has a generally hollow or open interior / container 55 that is configured to receive and store foreign matter generated by the use of the tool 100, etc. The container 55 is defined by a collection basin 51 and a gasket 60, the collection basin including a first collection basin portion 52 and a second collection basin portion 54 that are configured to be removably attached to the first collection basin portion 51. When secured together, the first collection basin portion 52 and the second collection basin portion 54 form a cutting tool guide / receiver defined by a slot-like hole, which is referred to herein as a receiver edge 53. The first collection basin portion 52 and the second collection basin portion 54 form a container 55 that accommodates and retains a portion of the locating pin 72 (such as during and after removal of the locating pin 72 from the rotor assembly 22). Figures 6 to 8 ). The shim 60 extends from a first edge 62 having a cross-section complementary to the circumferential surface 86 of the spacer 80 to a second edge 64 having a cross-section complementary to the structural surface 84 of the rotor assembly 22 .

[0039] See also Figure 6 In one embodiment, the detachable guide 50 includes a first collection basin portion 52 and a second collection basin portion 54, the first collection basin portion having a first inner surface 91 defining a first portion of a container 55, and the second collection basin portion having a second inner surface 93 defining a second portion of the container 55. The receiver edge 53 is configured to guide the cutting surface 102 of the cutting tool 100 through the cross-section of the locating pin 72. That is, the edge 53 forms a narrow slot-shaped hole that limits the travel of the cutting tool 100 during use. A collection basin formed of less than or more than two pieces does not significantly deviate from the invention disclosed herein. In some embodiments not shown, the collection basin is formed of a single component having a cover to allow insertion of the cutting tool and / or removal of the cut material.

[0040] exist Figures 3 to 13In the illustrated embodiment, the receiver edge 53 is a continuous edge that receives the cutting tool 100 and guides the rotating cutting tool 100 and the surface 102 within the container 55. The continuous edge of the receiver edge 53 attaches the cutting tool 100 to the guide 50 while ensuring accurate operation of the rotating cutting surface 102. In some embodiments, the receiver edge 53 is configured to guide the cutting surface 102 of the cutting tool 100 through the cross section of the positioning pin 72, but does not substantially penetrate the locking wire 74 held by the positioning pin 72 within the rotor assembly 22. In other words, the receiver edge 53 ensures that the rotating cutting surface 102 contacts only the positioning pin 72.

[0041] See also Figures 5 to 7 The inner surfaces 91 and 93 of the first collecting basin portion 52 and the second collecting basin portion 54 are shaped similar to the rotating cutting surface 102 (in Figure 7 The gasket 60 has an inner edge 66 (in Figure 5 ), the inner edge is complementary in shape to the rotating cutting surface 102 of the cutting tool 100. In some embodiments, these surfaces help guide the rotating cutting surface 102 and may be particularly angled to facilitate effective cutting of the locating pin 72 without damaging the surrounding rotor assembly 22. Figures 3 to 9 In the illustrated embodiment, each collection basin portion 52, 54 has a cutout slot 98 (eg, Figures 6 to 8 ), the cutting slot accommodates and allows the rotating cutting surface 102 to pass, but does not allow a large amount of cut foreign matter to leave the container 55. Each of the collection basin portions 52, 54 extends to a receiver protrusion 57, which provides a contact point between the rotor assembly 22 and the collection basin portions 52, 54 to further stabilize the guide 50. Figures 3 to 9 In the illustrated embodiment, each receiver projection 57 defines an assembly channel 59 that receives and / or secures the collection basin portion 52, 54 to surrounding components.

[0042] exist Figures 3 to 9 In the embodiment shown in FIG, the first collection basin portion 52 has a first leg 56 and the second collection basin portion 54 has a second leg 58 that is configured to releasably mount the collection basin 51 and the gasket 60 to the rotor assembly 22. When the legs 56, 58 are engaged, the receiver protrusion 57 pushes against the locking line 74 to serve as an engagement point. Including only a single leg and / or changing the mechanism for attaching the collection basin 51 to the rotor assembly 22 does not depart from the invention disclosed herein.

[0043] See also Figure 7 and Figure 8In some embodiments, the collection basin 51 includes a basin lock configured to attach the first collection basin portion 52 to the second collection basin portion 54. In the illustrated embodiment, the basin lock includes two pins 95 extending from the first collection basin portion 52, which engage complementary holes 97 in the second collection basin portion 54, and an optional basin magnet 96 retained within the first collection basin portion 52 engages a complementary receiver 99 in the second collection basin portion 54. The engagement of the pins 95 and holes 97 prevents movement of the collection basin portions 52, 54 relative to each other, and the connection of the basin magnets 96 and receivers 99 prevents the collection basin 51 from splitting into the collection basin portions 52, 54.

[0044] In other embodiments, portions 52 and 54 may be secured together via various attachment mechanisms including, but not limited to, hook and loop fasteners, quick release pins, clasps, clamps, and flexible / rotatable / depending latches.

[0045] In other embodiments, the collection basin 51 may include a hole or passage that allows for a vacuum connection (not shown). Such a hole would allow for the removal of any foreign matter that has accumulated in the basin 51. As will be appreciated, the hole / passage may be located in a variety of locations, so long as a passage from an accessible portion of the basin exterior to the basin interior is provided at the hole.

[0046] The collection bowl 51 is compatible with alternative embodiments of the spacers 60 having different sizes and / or shapes to account for various structural and circumferential surfaces on the rotor assembly 22 and / or the spacer 80. Figures 3 to 9 In the illustrated embodiment, the shims 60 assist in forming the container 55 having the collection basin 51. As described in detail below, the method 800 of removing the locating pins 72 includes the use of a variety of shims depending on the application. Fig. 9 , Fig.10 and Figures 12 to 18 Exemplary embodiments of gaskets 60 , 160 , 260 , 360 , 460 , 560 , 660 are depicted.

[0047] Figures 10 to 14 An alternative embodiment of a guide 150 is shown. The guide 150 is similar in function and structure to that described above with respect to Figures 3 to 9 The guide 50 is described. Fig.12 and Fig.13 Specifically shown is a user replacing shim 160 with shim 260 to be able to accurately guide the rotating surface 102 to cut the dowel pin 72 (the cutting tool 100 is omitted for clarity). Once the user determines the appropriate shim for the particular dowel pin, the guide 150 is assembled and the collection basin 151 is secured to the spacer 80 using the first leg 156 and / or the second leg 158.

[0048] See also Fig.11, first surfaces 192, 194 of collection basin portions 152, 154, respectively, include surface textures to further stabilize the connection between collection basin 151 and gasket 160. In some embodiments not shown, a gasket is incorporated into one or both of the collection basin portions.

[0049] An exemplary embodiment of a method 800 for cutting a locating pin in a rotor assembly is described in Fig.19 and Fig. 20 See the flowchart in Figures 1 to 20 , the method 800 includes placing 802 the shim 60 on the receiving surface 23 of the rotor assembly 22, placing 804 the first collection basin portion 52 on the shim 60, securing 806 the first collection basin portion 52 to the rotor assembly 22 using the first leg 56 of the first collection basin portion 52, inserting 808 the cutting tool 100 into the receiver edge 53 of the first collection basin portion 52, placing 810 the second collection basin portion 54 on the shim 60 to form a hollow container 55 with the first collection basin portion 52, and operating 812 the rotating cutting surface 102 of the cutting tool 100 to pass through the cross section of the locating pin 72. During operation of the cutting tool 100, the rotating cutting surface 102 is contained within the container 55.

[0050] In certain embodiments, the method 800 includes removing 814 the first collection basin portion 52 and / or the second collection basin portion 54, and displacing 816 the cutting locating pin 72 by inserting a tool (not shown) into the hole that holds the cutting locating pin 72. In other words, the tool pushes the cutting locating pin 72 axially to expose an additional portion of the locating pin 72. In some embodiments, a single cutting locating pin 72 is axially displaced more than once. In some such embodiments, the method 800 includes repeating the steps of inserting 808 the cutting tool 100, placing 810 the first collection basin portion 52 and / or the second collection basin portion 54, securing 806 the first collection basin portion 52, and operating 812 the rotating cutting surface 102 of the cutting tool 100. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the method 800 includes securing 816 the second collection basin portion 54 to the rotor assembly 22 using the second foot 58 of the second collection basin portion 54 before operating 812 the rotating cutting surface 102 of the cutting tool. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, method 800 includes securing 818 the second collection basin portion 54 to the first collection basin portion 52 using a basin lock, retaining 820 foreign matter produced by cutting of the locating pin 72 within the container 55, and / or replacing 822 the gasket 60 with a gasket having a first edge complementary to a receiving surface of the rotor assembly 22 and / or the spacer 80.

[0051] The above description of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, including the contents described in the abstract of the specification, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Although specific embodiments and examples are described herein for the purpose of illustration, it can be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art that various modifications are possible within the scope of these embodiments and examples. For example, parts, components, steps, and aspects from different embodiments may be combined or applied to other embodiments, even if not described in the present disclosure or depicted in the accompanying drawings. Therefore, since certain changes may be made in the above invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention involved herein, it is intended that all the subjects described above shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted only as examples illustrating the inventive concept of this article, and should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0052] In this regard, although the disclosed subject matter has been described in conjunction with various embodiments and corresponding drawings, it should be understood that other similar embodiments may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiments to perform the same, similar, alternative or alternative functions of the disclosed subject matter without departing from the disclosed subject matter. Therefore, the disclosed subject matter should not be limited to any single embodiment described herein, but should be interpreted in accordance with the breadth and scope of the appended claims. For example, reference to "one embodiment" of the present invention is not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of other embodiments that also include the listed features.

[0053] In the appended claims, the terms "including" and "in which" are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms "comprising" and "wherein." Further, in the following claims, terms such as "first," "second," "third," "upper," "lower," "bottom," "top," and the like are used merely as labels and are not intended to impose numerical or positional requirements on their objects. The terms "substantially," "typically," and "approximately" represent conditions within reasonably achievable manufacturing and assembly tolerances relative to ideal desired conditions suitable for achieving the functional purpose of a component or assembly. Further, the limitations in the following claims are not written in a mean-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted as such limitations unless and until such claim limitations are explicitly followed by the description of the void function of other structures using the phrase "in a manner of..."

[0054] The above-described content includes examples of systems and methods for illustrating the disclosed subject matter. Of course, it is impossible to describe every combination of parts or modes here. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that many other combinations and arrangements of the claimed subject matter are possible. In addition, with respect to the term "including" or "comprising" adopted in the specific embodiments or claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising", as "comprising" is translated when used as a transitional word in the claims. That is, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, an embodiment of "including", "comprising" or "having" an element or multiple elements with a specific attribute may include other such elements that do not have the attribute. In addition, the articles "one" and "a kind of" used in this specification and the accompanying drawings should generally be interpreted as meaning "one or more", unless otherwise noted or clear from the context for the singular form.

[0055] This written description uses examples to disclose several embodiments of the invention, including the best mode, and also enables a person of ordinary skill in the art to practice the embodiments of the invention, including making and using any device or system and performing any combined methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements that are not substantially different from the literal language of the claims.

[0056] Further aspects of the invention are provided by the subject matter of the following clauses:

[0057] A guide for a dowel pin of a cutting rotor assembly, the guide comprising: a collection basin including a first collection basin portion and a second collection basin portion; and a shim, the first collection basin portion and the second collection basin portion forming a cutting tool receiver, the shim extending from a first edge having a cross-section complementary to a surface of the rotor assembly, the first collection basin portion and the second collection basin portion forming a container that receives and retains a portion of the dowel pin during and after removal of the dowel pin from the rotor assembly, and the cutting tool receiver is defined by a receiver edge that guides a cutting surface of a cutting tool through the cross-section of the dowel pin;

[0058] a guide including a collection basin and / or a spacer defined by a surface complementary to a rotating cutting surface of a cutting tool;

[0059] a guide including a collection basin portion and / or a second collection basin portion, the second collection basin portion including a foot configured to releasably mount the collection basin and the spacer to the rotor assembly;

[0060] A guide including a collection basin having a basin lock configured to attach the first collection basin portion to the second collection basin portion;

[0061] A guide comprising replacing a shim with a shim having a cross-section complementary to another surface of the rotor assembly;

[0062] a guide including a receiver edge that guides a cutting surface of the cutting tool through a cross section of a dowel pin without penetrating a locking wire held within the rotor assembly by the dowel pin;

[0063] a guide including a receiver edge having a continuous edge retaining a rotating cutting surface of the cutting tool within the container;

[0064] a guide including a gasket that assists in forming a container;

[0065] a guide including at least one collection basin portion extending to the receiver protrusion to provide a contact point between the rotor assembly and the at least one collection basin portion;

[0066] A guide member including a receiver defining an assembly groove for receiving a rotor assembly;

[0067] a guide including a receiver tab that pushes against a locking line to serve as an engagement point;

[0068] a guide including at least one collecting basin portion including a cutting slot that receives and allows passage of the rotating cutting surface;

[0069] A method of cutting a dowel pin in a rotor assembly, the method comprising: placing a shim on a receiving surface of the rotor assembly, placing a first collection basin portion on the shim, securing the first collection basin portion to the rotor assembly using a foot of the first collection basin portion, inserting a cutting tool into a receiver edge of the first collection basin portion, placing a second collection basin portion on the shim to form a hollow container with the first collection basin portion, and operating a rotating cutting surface of the cutting tool to pass through a cross section of the dowel pin, wherein the rotating cutting surface is contained within the container during operation of the cutting tool;

[0070] A method comprising removing the first collection basin portion and / or the second collection basin portion and displacing the cutting dowel pin by inserting a tool into a hole holding the cutting dowel pin;

[0071] A method comprising repeating the steps of inserting a cutting tool, placing a first collecting basin portion and / or a second collecting basin portion, securing the first collecting basin portion, and operating a rotating cutting surface of the cutting tool;

[0072] A method comprising securing a second collection basin portion to a rotor assembly using feet of the second collection basin portion prior to operating a rotating cutting surface of a cutting tool;

[0073] A method comprising securing a second collection basin portion to a first collection basin portion using a basin lock;

[0074] A method comprising retaining foreign matter generated by the cutting of a dowel pin within a container;

[0075] a method comprising replacing the shim with an alternative shim having a first edge complementary to a receiving surface of at least one of the rotor assembly and the spacer;

[0076] A guide for a dowel pin of a cutting rotor assembly, the guide comprising a collection basin forming a cutting tool receiver and a container and a portion of the container configured to receive and retain the dowel pin during and after removal of the dowel pin from the rotor assembly, the cutting tool receiver being defined by a receiver edge that guides a cutting surface of the cutting tool through a cross section of the dowel pin, and the receiver edge being a continuous edge that retains the rotating cutting surface of the cutting tool within the container;

[0077] A guide member, the guide member comprising a collection basin, the collection basin comprising a first collection basin portion and a second collection basin portion;

[0078] a guide member including a shim extending from a first edge, the first edge having a cross-section complementary to a surface of the rotor assembly;

[0079] a guide comprising a first collection basin portion and / or a second collection basin portion, the second collection basin portion comprising a foot configured to releasably mount the collection basin and the spacer to a rotor assembly; and

[0080] A guide includes a gasket that helps form a container.

Claims

1. A guide for cutting a positioning pin of a rotor assembly, the guide comprising: a collection basin, the collection basin comprising a first collection basin portion and a second collection basin portion, the first collection basin portion and the second collection basin portion forming a cutting tool receiver; and a shim extending from the first edge having a cross-section complementary to a surface of the rotor assembly, wherein the first collection basin portion and the second collection basin portion form a container configured to receive and retain a portion of the locating pin during and after removal of the locating pin from the rotor assembly, and Wherein the cutting tool receiver is defined by a receiver edge, the receiver edge being configured to guide a cutting surface of a cutting tool through a cross-section of the dowel pin.

2. The guide of claim 1, wherein at least one of the collection basin and the spacer is defined by a surface complementary to a rotating cutting surface of a cutting tool.

3. The guide of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first collection basin portion and the second collection basin portion further comprises a foot configured to releasably mount the collection basin and the spacer to the rotor assembly. 4 . The guide of claim 1 , wherein the collection basin further comprises a basin lock configured to attach the first collection basin portion to the second collection basin portion.

5. The guide of claim 1, wherein the shim is replaced with a shim having a cross-section complementary to another surface of the rotor assembly.

6. The guide of claim 1, wherein the receiver edge is configured to guide the cutting surface of the cutting tool through the cross-section of the dowel pin without penetrating a locking wire retained within the rotor assembly by the dowel pin.

7. The guide of claim 1, wherein the receiver edge is a continuous edge that retains the rotating cutting surface of the cutting tool within the container.

8. The guide of claim 1, wherein the spacer is configured to assist in forming the receptacle.

9. The guide of claim 1, wherein at least one collection basin portion extends to a receiver protrusion, the receiver protrusion being configured to provide a contact point between the rotor assembly and the at least one collection basin portion.

10. The guide of claim 9, wherein the receiver defines an assembly channel that receives the rotor assembly.

11. The guide of claim 9, wherein the receiver protrusion pushes against the locking wire to serve as an engagement point.

12. The guide of claim 1, wherein at least one collection basin portion includes a cutting slot configured to receive and allow passage of the rotating cutting surface.

13. A method of cutting a locating pin in a rotor assembly, the method comprising: placing a shim on a receiving surface of the rotor assembly; placing a first collection basin portion on the spacer; securing the first collection basin portion to the rotor assembly using the feet of the first collection basin portion; inserting a cutting tool into a receptacle edge of the first collection basin portion; placing a second collection basin portion on the spacer to form a hollow container with the first collection basin portion; operating the rotating cutting surface of the cutting tool to penetrate the cross section of the dowel pin, Wherein the rotating cutting surface is contained within the container during operation of the cutting tool.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: removing at least one of the first collection basin portion and the second collection basin portion; The cutting dowel pin is displaced by inserting a tool into the hole holding the cutting dowel pin.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: The steps of inserting the cutting tool, positioning the at least one of the first collection basin portion and the second collection basin portion, securing the first collection basin portion, and operating the rotating cutting surface of the cutting tool are repeated.

16. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: Prior to operating the rotating cutting surface of the cutting tool, the second collection basin portion is secured to the rotor assembly using the feet of the second collection basin portion.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising securing the second collection basin portion to the first collection basin portion using a basin lock.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising retaining foreign matter generated by the cutting of the dowel pin within the container.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising replacing the shim with an alternative shim having a first edge complementary to a receiving surface of at least one of the rotor assembly and a spacer.

20. A guide for cutting a locating pin of a rotor assembly, the guide comprising: a collection basin forming a cutting tool receiver and container configured to receive and retain portions of the locating pin during and after removal of the locating pin from the rotor assembly, and Wherein the cutting tool receiver is defined by a receiver edge configured to guide a cutting surface of a cutting tool through a cross section of a dowel pin, the receiver edge being a continuous edge that retains the rotating cutting surface of the cutting tool within the container.

21. The guide of claim 20, wherein the collection basin further comprises a first collection basin portion and a second collection basin portion.

22. The guide member according to claim 20, further comprising: A shim extends from the first edge having a cross-section complementary to a surface of the rotor assembly.

23. The guide of claim 22, wherein at least one of the first collection basin portion and the second collection basin portion further comprises a foot configured to releasably mount the collection basin and the spacer to the rotor assembly.

24. The guide of claim 22, wherein the spacer is configured to assist in forming the receptacle.

Images