US 12,129,023 B2
Method of removal and replacement of a tip section of a rotor blade
Joseph Pantalone, III, Guilford, CT (US); Timothy James Conti, Shelton, CT (US); Frank M. Caputo, Cheshire, CT (US); Sven R. Lofstrom, Irving, TX (US); Keith M. Schenone, Fairfield, CT (US); Robert D. Higbie, Haslet, TX (US); Eric Charles Boyle, Haslet, TX (US); and Alicia Fernandez, Milford, CT (US)
Assigned to SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION, Stratford, CT (US)
Filed by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Stratford, CT (US)
Filed on Dec. 30, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/565,789.
Application 17/565,789 is a division of application No. 16/100,947, filed on Aug. 10, 2018, granted, now 11,242,140.
Prior Publication US 2022/0194571 A1, Jun. 23, 2022
Int. Cl. B23P 6/00 (2006.01); B23P 6/04 (2006.01); B23P 15/04 (2006.01); B29C 65/00 (2006.01); B29C 65/78 (2006.01); B29D 99/00 (2010.01); B64C 27/46 (2006.01); B29L 31/08 (2006.01); B64C 27/473 (2006.01)
CPC B64C 27/463 (2013.01) [B23P 6/002 (2013.01); B23P 6/045 (2013.01); B23P 15/04 (2013.01); B29C 65/7841 (2013.01); B29C 66/721 (2013.01); B29D 99/0025 (2013.01); B29L 2031/082 (2013.01); B64C 2027/4736 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
14. A holding fixture, comprising:
a movable frame having an upper surface;
at least one support mounted to the upper surface, wherein a contour of the at least one support is complementary to a portion of the rotor blade;
a cantilever support mounted at an end of the movable frame, the tip section of the rotor blade being supportable on the cantilever support; and
a bonding fixture associated with the cantilever support, wherein the bonding fixture further comprises:
a first mold positionable adjacent to a first side of the tip section;
a second mold positionable adjacent to a second side of the tip section;
a bladder coupled to an inner surface of the second mold; and
a caul attached to the bladder, opposite the second mold.