Steven F Keeney

US Patent:

50833715, Jan 28, 1992

Filed:

Sep 14, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/583262

Inventors:

Peter E. Leibfried - Vernon CT
Raymond P. Ristau - Tolland CT
Steven F. Keeney - Jupiter FL
Dennis Wentworth - Wales MA

Assignee:

United Technologies Corporation - Hartford CT

International Classification:

B23P 1504

US Classification:

2988972

Abstract:

A process is described for producing hollow articles from high strength, high temperature metals such as titanium alloys. A finite element analysis is used to determine a preform configuration in which the external surface of the finished article is translated into a flat plane. All machining is performed on flat stock on only one side, and includes mating cavities which define the hollow portion of the article. The preforms are die forged and diffusion bonded and then superplastically inflated to fit the contour of a cavity in a die, which provides the external contour of the article.