Apparatus and method for the forming of turbine vane cover plates

Abstract

A method is provided for reconditioning a turbomachine vane cover plate, by a forming apparatus. The vane having a mounting portion, an airfoil extending radially outward therefrom and a vane head connected to the airfoil. The vane also having a cover plate connected to the vane head, bulged in a direction opposite to the root. In a first analysis step, dimensions of the vane in relation to the cover plate are determined in respect of predefined reference points. If, thereafter, forming of the cover plate seems necessary and possible based on comparison of measurement values from the analysis step with predefined dimension values, the bulged cover plate is formed, at least essentially pressed smooth, by pressing by the forming apparatus in a forming step. After the forming step, the cover plate is re-treated in one or more follow-up steps. An apparatus is also provided for carrying out the method.

1 .- 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A turbine vane of a turbomachine, the turbine vane comprising a cover plate, wherein the cover plate is formed by a method comprising: determining, in an analysis step, dimensions of the vane in relation to the cover plate with respect to predefined reference points of the vane by means of dimension analysis; if after the analysis step, forming of the cover plate is determined to be necessary and possible based on a comparison of measurement values from the analysis step with reference values, then: forming, the bulged cover plate at least essentially pressed smooth, by pressing by means of the forming apparatus in a forming step; and re-treating, if appropriate, after the forming step, the cover plate in one or more follow up steps. 
     
     
         16 . A turbine vane of a turbomachine, the turbine vane comprising a cover plate, wherein the cover plate is formed by an apparatus comprising: a carrier frame with side elements arranged so as to be spaced apart and with a base element and a connection element which extend in each case between the side elements; a pressure plate movable by a press cylinder attached to the connection element and a pressure cell, delimited by a base plate, for the vane, which is fixable in the pressure cell by fastening elements between stop elements extending laterally with respect to the vane from the base plate to the pressure plate toward free ends and laterally delimiting the pressure cell, and the pressure cell being closable by the pressure plate being pressed by the press cylinder onto the vane and against the stop elements configured so as to stop the pressure plate. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled)