John W Daniels

US Patent:

50313142, Jul 16, 1991

Filed:

Jul 28, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/386243

Inventors:

David B. Berrong - Oviedo FL
Stephen J. Tencza - Norristown PA
Gerald I. Marron - Broomall PA
John F. Daniels - Glenolden PA
Cletus L. Schartner - St. Petersburg FL
Ronald P. Cupo - Ridley Park PA
John J. McGettigan - Middletown Township, Delaware County PA
Philip W. Ketterer - Hightstown NJ
Lawrence J. Coyle - Wilmington DE
Freddie G. King - Spotsylvania VA
Clifford T. Parker - Chester PA
Craig J. Zurat - Cressona PA
John L. Morris - New Castle DE

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

B23P 1500
B23P 1304

US Classification:

298892

Abstract:

The method of the present invention uses a combination of gap measurement methods to map the gap in a joint in a high pressure vessel such as a steam turbine or steam valve. An exposed and supported surface is hydraulically balanced allowing any twisting of the surface to be removed. The map is then created using a blue contact method, feeler gages, deformable gap measuring medium and laser profiling for both surfaces of the joint. A restoration plan is produced using the map which minimizes the restoration work and produces matching joint surfaces. The joint surfaces are welded and/or machined and finally finished in accordance with the plan. A laser can be used to guide or reference the machine tool. Matching joint surfaces, especially if relatively flat, provide a better high pressure seal than relatively flat surfaces that do not match while relatively flat surfaces that do match produce an even better seal.