Process for selectively electroplating an airfoil

US5902471A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION · US

Inventors

• Christopher P. Jordan · Middletown, US
• James Bailey Sprenkle · Guilford, US
• Normand J Morneau · New Haven, US
• Colin L. Cini · Vernon, US
• Gary E Stasiewski · Wallingford, US
• Foster P. Lamm · Windsor, US
• Steven Michael Ruggiero · Manchester, US
• Tara Michele Barr · Middletown, US
• Thomas R. Davis · Friendswood, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 1, 1997
• Grant date: May 11, 1999
• Expiry date: Oct 1, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C25D5/022
• WIPO field: Surface technology, coating
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process and apparatus for selectively electroplating the tip portion of an airfoil. The airfoil includes a root portion and a blade portion having a tip. At least part of the blade including the tip is coated with an insulating material. Insulating material is removed from the tip and the airfoil is mounted in a fixture so that the tip is exposed. The fixture is immersed in a sealing bath, and the fixture and at least a portion of the airfoil is encased in sealing material while leaving the tip exposed. The fixture is then immersed in an electroplating bath, the exposed tip is electroplated, and the fixture is removed from the bath.