Mitchell S Miller

US Patent:

7544112, Jun 9, 2009

Filed:

Dec 6, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/999667

Inventors:

Mitchell O. Miller - Kings Mountain NC, US
William R. Pearson - Kings Mountain NC, US
William R. Thompson - Greenville SC, US

Assignee:

Huffman Corporation - Clover SC

International Classification:

B24B 49/00

US Classification:

451 2, 451 5, 451 10, 451 11, 451 38, 451 75

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for removing a coating having an irregular surface configuration that includes mapping the irregular surface configuration, and using the mapping determination in controlling the operation of an abrasive water jet to provide increased material removal rates at the higher points in the irregular surface and decreased material removal rates at the lower points, and thereby even out the surface configuration of the coating. The method and apparatus also includes using a detection device for detecting the presence or absence of an element that is unique to a layer of a coating, and using the detection determination in controlling the operation of the abrasive water jet to stop material removal of the coating when the detection device determines there is an absence of the unique element.

US Patent:

7896726, Mar 1, 2011

Filed:

Mar 19, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/383096

Inventors:

Mitchell O. Miller - Kings Mountain NC, US
William R. Pearson - Kings Mountain NC, US
William R. Thompson - Greenville SC, US

Assignee:

Huffman Corporation - Clover SC

International Classification:

B24B 49/00

US Classification:

451 2, 451 5, 451 10, 451 11, 451 38, 451 75

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for removing a coating having an irregular surface configuration that includes mapping the irregular surface configuration, and using the mapping determination in controlling the operation of an abrasive water jet to provide increased material removal rates at the higher points in the irregular surface and decreased material removal rates at the lower points, and thereby even out the surface configuration of the coating. The method and apparatus also includes using a detection device for detecting the presence or absence of an element that is unique to a layer of a coating, and using the detection determination in controlling the operation of the abrasive water jet to stop material removal of the coating when the detection device determines there is an absence of the unique element.

US Patent:

8380338, Feb 19, 2013

Filed:

Apr 22, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/386690

Inventors:

Mitchell O. Miller - Kings Mountain NC, US
Clyde W. Caskey - Gastonia NC, US

Assignee:

Huffman Corporation - Clover SC

International Classification:

G06F 19/00

US Classification:

700164, 700195, 83 22

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for stripping foreign matter from holes in a substrate, such as a turbine component, which includes using a scanner to locate the hole and operating a water jet apparatus to direct a water jet or an abrasive water jet into the hole for stripping. A CAD model of the original turbine component may be used in the control system of the water jet apparatus to initially locate the scanner at the general or theoretical location of the hole. A reverse flow of low pressure water may be provided to further clear foreign matter from the hole.

US Patent:

8622784, Jan 7, 2014

Filed:

Jun 29, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/459258

Inventors:

Mitchell O. Miller - Kings Mountain NC, US
William R. Pearson - Kings Mountain NC, US
William R. Thompson - Greenville SC, US

Assignee:

Huffman Corporation - Clover SC

International Classification:

B24B 1/00

US Classification:

451 29, 451 40

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for forming raised ridges on the surface of a turbine component having an abradable coating formed on an outer surface thereof which includes a mask having a predetermined pattern of openings therein adjacent the abradable coating on a surface of the turbine component; and a high pressure water jet that has movement relative to the mask so that the high pressure water jet passes along the extent of the openings in the mask and passes through the openings in the mask to remove portions of the abradable coating on the turbine component located beneath the openings in the mask.