Method and equipment for repairing a component

Abstract

A method of repairing a component having a metal part adhesively bonded to a composite body includes thermally coupling a heatsink to the metal part adjacent to a repair region of the metal part which is to be repaired; and performing a metal deposition process on the metal part in the repair region. During the metal deposition process the heatsink acts to transfer thermal energy away from the metal part caused by the metal deposition process. Equipment repairs a component having a metal part adhesively bonded to a composite body.

1 . A method of repairing a component having a metal part attached to a composite body, the method comprising:
 thermally coupling a heatsink to the metal part adjacent to a repair region of the metal part which is to be repaired; and   performing a metal deposition process on the metal part in the repair region;   wherein during the metal deposition process the heatsink acts to transfer thermal energy away from the metal part caused by the metal deposition process.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the heatsink has a heatsink base having a profile corresponding to that of the metal part, wherein thermally coupling the heatsink to the metal part includes placing the heatsink base against the metal part. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the heatsink base comprises a recess for receiving the metal part. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein the recess is in the form of a channel. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the heatsink is a liquid-cooled heatsink. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein during the metal deposition process a cooling liquid is used to transfer thermal energy away from the heatsink. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein during the metal deposition process a cooling liquid is pumped past the heatsink. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the heatsink defines an opening, and wherein with the heatsink thermally coupled to the metal part, at least a part of the repair region is exposed through the opening. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8 , wherein the heatsink is thermally coupled to the metal part such that it surrounds at least a part of the repair region. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 8 , wherein the metal deposition process is performed through the opening. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising performing a heat treatment process on the repair region after the metal deposition process, wherein during the heat treatment process the heatsink acts to transfer thermal energy away from the metal part caused by the heat treatment process. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the heatsink is a liquid-cooled heatsink, and wherein during the heat treatment process a cooling liquid is used to transfer thermal energy from the heatsink. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the heatsink is a liquid-cooled heatsink, and wherein during the heat treatment process a cooling liquid is pumped past the heatsink. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the heatsink defines an opening, wherein with the heatsink thermally coupled to the metal part, at least a part of the repair region is exposed through the opening, and wherein the heat treatment process is performed through the opening. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the component is a blade or vane. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein the metal part is a metal leading edge, trailing edge or tip of the blade or vane. 
     
     
         17 . Equipment for repairing a component having a metal part adhesively bonded to a composite body, the equipment comprising:
 a heatsink arranged to be thermally coupled to the metal part adjacent to a repair region of the metal part which is to be repaired; and   metal deposition apparatus for performing a metal deposition process on the metal part in the repair region.   
     
     
         18 . Equipment according to  claim 17 , further comprising heat treatment apparatus for performing a heat treatment process on the repair region. 
     
     
         19 . A heatsink for use in the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         20 . A heatsink for use with the equipment of  claim 17 .