Impingement shield shaping tool and method for using same

Abstract

A tool assembly for shaping an impingement shield for use with a turbine engine is provided. The tool assembly includes a bracket, a connecting member, and at least one support member. The connecting member is coupled to a force device and a zipper strip that is coupled to the impingement shield. The support member is positioned on the impingement shield via pads that are moveable to accommodate the contour of the impingement shield. By pulling the zipper strip, the zipper strip may be straightened and/or the impingement shield may be shaped.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tool assembly comprising:
 a bracket comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a channel that extends from the first portion to the second portion;   a connecting member sized to be at least partially inserted through at least a portion of said channel, said connecting member oriented to couple to at least a portion of a zipper strip coupled to an impingement shield used in a turbine engine; and   at least one support member coupled to the second portion of said bracket.   
     
     
         2 . A tool assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said second portion comprises at least one support arm, said at least one support member is coupled to said at least one support arm. 
     
     
         3 . A tool assembly in accordance with  claim 2 , further comprising at least one support channel that extends from said at least one support arm to said first portion for slideably coupling said at least one support member to said bracket. 
     
     
         4 . A tool assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said at least one support member comprises a pad and a moveable joint. 
     
     
         5 . A tool assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said connecting member is a threaded rod. 
     
     
         6 . A tool assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said connecting member comprises a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion. 
     
     
         7 . A tool assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said bracket further comprises a force device coupling portion for use in coupling a force device to said bracket. 
     
     
         8 . A system comprising:
 a tool assembly comprising:
 a bracket comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a channel that extends from the first portion to the second portion; 
 a connecting member sized to be at least partially inserted through at least a portion of said channel, said connecting member configured to couple to at least a portion of a zipper strip coupled to an impingement shield used in a turbine engine; and 
 at least one support member coupled to the second portion of said bracket; and 
   a force device coupled to said connecting member.   
     
     
         9 . A system in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein said force device is coupled to said bracket. 
     
     
         10 . A system in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein said second portion comprises at least one support arm, wherein said at least one support member is coupled to said at least one support arm. 
     
     
         11 . A system in accordance with  claim 10 , further comprising at least one support channel that extends from said at least one support arm to said first portion for slideably coupling said at least one support member to said bracket. 
     
     
         12 . A system in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein said at least one support member comprises a pad and a moveable joint. 
     
     
         13 . A system in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein said connecting member is a threaded rod. 
     
     
         14 . A system in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein said connecting member comprises a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion. 
     
     
         15 . A system in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein said bracket further comprises a force device coupling portion that extends from said first portion to said second portion. 
     
     
         16 . A method for shaping an impingement shield used in a turbine engine, said method comprising:
 coupling a tool assembly to a zipper strip coupled to the impingement shield, wherein the tool assembly includes:
 a bracket having a first portion, a second portion, and a channel that extends from the first portion to the second portion; 
 a connecting member sized to be at least partially inserted through at least a portion of the channel; and 
 at least one support member coupled to the second portion; 
   coupling a force device to the tool assembly; and   repositioning the zipper strip with respect to the impingement shield using the force device.   
     
     
         17 . A method in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein pulling the zipper strip comprises pulling the zipper strip until the impingement shield has a pre-determined profile. 
     
     
         18 . A method in accordance with  claim 16 , further comprising positioning the at least one support member on a surface of the impingement shield. 
     
     
         19 . A method in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein coupling a force device to the tool assembly comprises coupling the force device to the connecting member. 
     
     
         20 . A method in accordance with  claim 19 , wherein coupling a tool assembly to a zipper strip comprises coupling the connecting member to the zipper strip.