Feature guided profile restoration grinder apparatus

Abstract

A surface machining mechanism modifies a repair segment of a body having a contoured surface. The surface machining mechanism includes a frame assembly and one or more guide members for supporting the frame assembly on the contoured surface. The guide members mate with the contoured surface and are movable along the contoured surface to guide the frame assembly. A machining apparatus is supported by the frame assembly. The machining apparatus engages the repair segment of the body as the machining apparatus is moved along the contoured surface. A method of modifying a repair segment of a body having a contoured surface with the surface machining mechanism is also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A surface machining mechanism for modifying a repair segment of a body having a contoured surface, the surface machining mechanism including:
 a frame assembly;   one or more guide members for supporting the frame assembly on the contoured surface, the guide members being configured to mate with the contoured surface and being movable along the contoured surface to guide the frame assembly; and   a machining apparatus supported by the frame assembly, the machining apparatus engaging the repair segment of the body as the machining apparatus is moved along the contoured surface.   
     
     
         2 . The surface machining mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the contoured surface includes a plurality of grooves extending along the body, wherein the guide members are configured to be received within the grooves. 
     
     
         3 . The surface machining mechanism of  claim 2 , wherein the machining apparatus is configured to be received within one of the plurality of grooves. 
     
     
         4 . The surface machining mechanism of  claim 3 , wherein the guide members are movable within the grooves to guide the frame assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The surface machining mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the contoured surface includes a plurality of ribs extending along the body, wherein the ribs are configured to be received within openings in the guide members. 
     
     
         6 . The surface machining mechanism of  claim 5 , wherein the machining apparatus is positioned adjacent and in contact with one of the plurality of ribs. 
     
     
         7 . The surface machining mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the machining apparatus is configured to machine the repair segment of the body such that the repair segment matches the contoured surface. 
     
     
         8 . The surface machining mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more guide members includes three guide members with one of the guide members disposed at a first end of the frame assembly and the remaining two guide members being disposed at an opposing second end of the frame assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The surface machining mechanism of  claim 8 , wherein the machining apparatus is attached to the frame assembly at a location between the first end and the second end of the frame assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The surface machining mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the machining apparatus includes a grinding tool. 
     
     
         11 . A surface machining mechanism for modifying a repair segment of a body having a contoured surface, the surface machining mechanism including:
 one or more guide members being configured to mate with the contoured surface and being movable along the contoured surface, wherein the guide members include a shape that is configured to match a shape of the contoured surface; and   a machining apparatus supported by the one or more guide members, the machining apparatus engaging the repair segment of the body as the guide members are moved along the contoured surface.   
     
     
         12 . The surface machining mechanism of  claim 11 , wherein the contoured surface includes a plurality of grooves extending along the body, wherein the guide members are configured to be received within the grooves. 
     
     
         13 . The surface machining mechanism of  claim 12 , wherein the machining apparatus is configured to be received within one of the plurality of grooves. 
     
     
         14 . The surface machining mechanism of  claim 11 , wherein the contoured surface includes a plurality of ribs extending along the body, wherein the ribs are configured to be received within the openings in the guide members. 
     
     
         15 . The surface machining mechanism of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more guide members includes three guide members with one of the guide members disposed at a first end of the frame assembly and the remaining two guide members being disposed at an opposing second end of the frame assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The surface machining mechanism of  claim 15 , wherein the machining apparatus is attached to the frame assembly at a location between the first end and the second end of the frame assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The surface machining mechanism of  claim 11 , wherein the machining apparatus includes a grinding tool. 
     
     
         18 . A method of modifying a repair segment of a body having a contoured surface, the method including the steps of:
 providing a surface machining mechanism including one or more guide members for mating with the contoured surface and a machining apparatus being supported by the guide members;   moving the guide members along the contoured surface to guide the machining apparatus; and   engaging the repair segment of the body with the machining apparatus as the guide members move along the contoured surface.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further including the step of modifying the repair segment of the body to match the contoured surface after engaging the repair segment with the machining apparatus. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the surface machining mechanism further includes a frame assembly supported by the guide members.