Manufacturing method for hollow metal airfoil type structure
US4642863A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 15, 1985 |
| Grant date | Feb 17, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 15, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49982
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A process is set forth for making a structure formed of at least two metallic workpiece sections each formed of a reactive metal. A mandrel having a nonreactive surface is sandwiched between the workpiece sections thereby preventing them from being in contact over a first selected area and allowing them to be in facing relation over a second selected area. A reactive metal contact is formed of the workpiece sections over the second selected area. The workpiece sections are maintained under coordinated temperature-pressure-time duration conditions to diffusion bond them at the second selected area. A gas pressure differential is applied between intermediate the workpiece sections and external of the workpiece sections to cause breakthrough at the first selected area and superplastic forming of at least one of the workpiece sections causing it to stretch in excess of its original surface area. The mandrel is removed from between the workpiece sections. The process provides structures such as airfoils having leading edges and trailing edges of controlled weight and internal radii.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.