Blade handling tray insert

Abstract

A tray insert for securing fluid reaction members in a handling tray includes a body having first and second major surfaces, first and second ends, sliding members disposed on the first and second ends, which are configured to engage with a plurality of slots formed in the handling tray, and a first plurality of sockets extending into the first major surface, which are spaced from one another to receive and support a plurality of fluid reaction members. The tray insert is configured to hold the fluid reaction members in a suspended state, which prevents them from coming into contact with each other or a surface of the handling tray.

1 . A tray insert for securing fluid reaction members in a handling tray, the tray insert comprising:
 a body having first and second major surfaces and first and second ends;   sliding members disposed on the first and second ends, the sliding members being configured to engage with a plurality of slots formed in the handling tray; and   a first plurality of sockets extending into the first major surface and being spaced from one another to receive and support a first plurality of fluid reaction members, wherein the tray insert is configured to hold the first plurality of fluid reaction members in a suspended state, which prevents the fluid reaction members from coming into contact with each other or a surface of the handling tray.   
   
   
       2 . The tray insert of  claim 1 , comprising a second plurality of sockets extending into the second major surface and being spaced from one another to receive and support a second plurality of fluid reaction members. 
   
   
       3 . The tray insert of  claim 2 , wherein the tray insert is insertable into the handling tray such that the first major surface is positioned in an upward orientation allowing the first plurality of sockets to be utilized. 
   
   
       4 . The tray insert of  claim 2 , wherein the tray insert is insertable into the handling tray such that the second major surface is positioned in an upward orientation allowing the second plurality of slots to be utilized. 
   
   
       5 . The tray insert of  claim 2 , wherein the first plurality of sockets are configured to receive a plurality of fluid reaction members having a first configuration and the second plurality of sockets are configured to receive a plurality of fluid reaction members having a second configuration which is different than the first configuration. 
   
   
       6 . The tray insert of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second pluralities of sockets each comprises ten sockets. 
   
   
       7 . The tray insert of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second pluralities of sockets are further configured to receive the plurality of fluid reaction members from a defined angle of insertion. 
   
   
       8 . The tray insert of  claim 7  wherein the plurality of fluid reaction members may only be disengaged from the first and second pluralities of sockets from the defined angle of insertion. 
   
   
       9 . The tray insert of  claim 1 , wherein the tray insert is further configured to hold the plurality of fluid reaction members in a suspended state in which the fluid reaction members are suspended in an orientation parallel to a bottom surface of the handling tray. 
   
   
       10 . The tray insert of  claim 1 , wherein the tray insert is composed of a polymeric material. 
   
   
       11 . A tray insert for securely handling gas turbine engine blades, the tray insert comprising:
 a body comprising first and second receiving surfaces and first and second ends wherein the first and second receiving surfaces each comprise a plurality of cavities each configured to mate with and being spaced to support a root portion of a gas turbine engine blade;   sliding connectors located on the first and second ends configured for sliding engagement with a plurality of slots formed in a handling tray; and   wherein the tray insert is configured to hold a plurality of gas turbine engine blades in an orientation which prevents an airfoil portion of each gas turbine engine blade from coming into contact with any surface.   
   
   
       12 . The tray insert of  claim 11 , wherein the tray insert may be seated in the handling tray such that the first receiving surface is positioned in an upward orientation which allows the first plurality of cavities to each receive a root portion of a gas turbine engine blade. 
   
   
       13 . The tray insert of  claim 11 , wherein the tray insert may be seated in the handling tray such that the second receiving surface is positioned in an upward orientation which allows the second plurality of cavities to each receive a root portion of a gas turbine engine blade. 
   
   
       14 . The tray insert of  claim 11 , wherein the first plurality of cavities are configured to each receive a root portion having a first shape and the second plurality of cavities are configured to each receive a root portion having a second shape which is different than the first shape. 
   
   
       15 . The tray insert of  claim 11 , wherein the tray insert is further configured to hold the root portions so that the airfoil portions are suspended in an orientation parallel to a bottom surface of the handling tray. 
   
   
       16 . The tray insert of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second pluralities of cavities are further configured to receive the plurality of gas turbine engine blades from a defined angle of insertion. 
   
   
       17 . The tray insert of  claim 16  wherein the plurality of gas turbine engine blades may only be disengaged from the first and second plurality of cavities from the defined angle of insertion. 
   
   
       18 . The tray insert of  claim 11 , wherein the tray insert is composed of a polymeric material. 
   
   
       19 . A method for securing and handling gas turbine engine blades in a tray insert of a handling tray, the method comprising:
 seating the tray insert in the handling tray by inserting sliding members disposed on first and second end of the tray insert into a plurality of slots formed in the handling tray so that a first receiving surface is positioned in an upward orientation; and   inserting root portions of a plurality of gas turbine engine blades into a plurality of cavities extending into the first receiving surface which each have a configuration corresponding to the specific configuration of the root portions and are spaced from each other such that airfoil portions of the gas turbine engine blades are suspended in an orientation which prevents them from coming into contact with each other or any surface of the handling tray.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein root portions of a plurality of gas turbine engine blades may be inserted into a plurality of cavities extending into a second receiving surface depending on the specific configuration of the root portions of the plurality of gas turbine engine blades to be secured.