System, kit and method for surface repair and reconditioning of industrial sized fan blades such as incorporated into a cooling tower

Abstract

A system, kit and method for non-structural surface repair and reconditioning of industrial sized blades includes an initial evaluation and power washing step for identifying required repairs. A surface cleaning step combines power washing with application of muratic acid and various mechanical tools and techniques for removing environmental and chemical buildup. A succeeding step provides for non-structural surface repairs to the blades, such as including filling and reshaping the leading edges with the use of an impact resistant urethane and/or a fast cure epoxy and fiberglass cloth. A finish coating step includes applying a chemically resistant and submersible grade (i.e. water resistant) top coat epoxy.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for effectuating surface repair of a blade, comprising the steps of:
 power washing the blade with water in order to identify required repairs;   filling and reshaping at least one of leading and trailing edges of the blade with a settable material; and   applying a finishing coat of a chemically resistant and submersible grade epoxy.   
     
     
         2 . The method as described in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of applying muratic acid using a pressure sprayer following power washing of the blade. 
     
     
         3 . The method as described in  claim 2 , further comprising a second power washing step following application of the muratic acid. 
     
     
         4 . The method as described in  claim 3 , further comprising at least one of scraping or sanding following said second power washing step and in order to remove any remaining environmental or chemical buildup. 
     
     
         5 . The method as described in  claim 1 , the step of filling and reshaping the blade edges further comprising applying an impact resistant urethane. 
     
     
         6 . The method as described in  claim 1 , the step of filling and reshaping the blade edges further comprising applying a fast cure epoxy and fiberglass cloth. 
     
     
         7 . The method as described in  claim 1 , said step of power washing further comprising pressurizing water to at least 3000 psi. 
     
     
         8 . A kit for surface repairing and reconditioning of industrial sized fan blades, comprising:
 a power washer for delivering a pressurized water source to the blades in order to assist in identifying required repairs;   a set of tools for filling and reshaping at least one of leading and trailing edges of each blade with a settable material; and   a chemically resistant and submersible grade epoxy applied as a finishing coat over the blades.   
     
     
         9 . The kit as described in  claim 8 , further comprising muratic acid applied to the blades using a pressure sprayer following power washing of the blade. 
     
     
         10 . The kit as described in  claim 8 , further comprising at least one of a scraper or a sanding/abrading medium for removing environmental or chemical buildup upon the blades. 
     
     
         11 . The kit as described in  claim 1 , the settable material further comprising applying an impact resistant urethane. 
     
     
         12 . The kit as described in  claim 1 , the settable material further comprising a fast cure epoxy and fiberglass cloth. 
     
     
         13 . A system for surface repairing and reconditioning of industrial sized fan blades, comprising:
 providing a power washer for delivering a pressurized water source to the blades in order to assist in identifying required repairs;   utilizing a pressure sprayer applying a muriatic acid to the blades using a pressure sprayer;   applying a set of tools for filling and reshaping at least one of leading and trailing edges of each blade with a settable material; and   applying a chemically resistant and submersible grade epoxy as a finishing coat over the blades.   
     
     
         14 . The system as described in  claim 13 , further comprising providing a second power washing operation following application of the muratic acid. 
     
     
         15 . The system as described in  claim 14 , further comprising at least one of scraping or sanding following said second power washing and in order to remove any remaining environmental or chemical buildup. 
     
     
         16 . The system as described in  claim 13 , the reshaping at least one of leading and trailing edges of each blade further comprising applying an impact resistant urethane. 
     
     
         17 . The system as described in  claim 13 , the reshaping at least one of leading and trailing edges of each blade further comprising applying a fast cure epoxy and fiberglass cloth.