1. A stack mold transfer device actuatable between an open-flow configuration and a closed-flow configuration, the stack mold transfer device comprising:
a first transfer member having a first transfer channel, a first valve seat, and a first valve member disposed within the first transfer channel, the first valve member having a flow portion and a first valve sealing surface that surrounds an end of the first valve member; and
a second transfer member having a second transfer channel, a second valve seat, and a second valve member disposed within the second transfer channel, the second valve member having a second valve sealing surface and a receiving pocket,
wherein the first transfer channel of the first transfer member and the second transfer channel of the second transfer member in an engaged configuration form a common transfer channel, and
wherein when the transfer device is in the closed-flow configuration, the first valve sealing surface engages the first valve seat and the second valve sealing surface engages the second valve seat to block the flow of molding material within the common transfer channel, and
wherein when the transfer device is in the open-flow configuration, the first valve sealing surface is disengaged from the first valve seat and the second valve sealing surface is disengaged from the second valve seat such that the first valve sealing surface surrounding the first valve member end is slidably received in the receiving pocket and the flow portion is positioned to allow molding material to flow within the common transfer channel.
2. The stack mold transfer device according to claim 1, wherein a downstream surface of the first valve member end projects beyond a transfer seal of the first transfer member when the first valve member is in a closed-flow position.
3. The stack mold transfer device according to claim 1, wherein a downstream surface of the first valve member end projects beyond a transfer seal of the first transfer member and into the receiving pocket of the second valve member when the transfer device is in the closed-flow configuration, and the first transfer member and the second transfer member are in an engaged configuration.
4. The stack mold transfer device according to claim 1, wherein a gap is provided between a downstream surface of the first valve member end and a bottom surface of the receiving pocket when the first transfer member and the second transfer member are in an engaged configuration, and the transfer device is in the open-flow configuration.
5. The stack mold transfer device according to claim 1, wherein a gap is provided between a downstream surface of the first valve member end and a bottom surface of the receiving pocket when the first transfer member and the second transfer member are in an engaged configuration, and the transfer device is in the closed-flow configuration.
6. The stack mold transfer device according to claim 1, wherein one of the first valve member and the second valve member further comprises an alignment protrusion and the other of the first valve member and the second valve member further comprises an alignment socket.
7. The stack mold transfer device according to claim 6, wherein the alignment protrusion mates with the alignment socket prior to the first transfer member engaging with the second transfer member when the transfer device is translated from a disengaged configuration to the engaged configuration.
8. The stack mold transfer device according to claim 6, wherein the alignment protrusion mates with the alignment socket prior to the end of the first valve member being slidably received in the receiving pocket of the second valve member when the transfer device is translated from the closed-flow configuration to the open-flow configuration.
9. The stack mold transfer device according to claim 1, wherein one of the first valve member and the second valve member further comprises a vent channel.
10. The stack mold transfer device according to claim 9, wherein the vent channel is provided in the second valve member.
11. The stack mold transfer device according to claim 10, wherein the vent channel in the second valve member is in fluid communication with a secondary vent channel in a valve bushing.
12. The stack mold transfer device according to claim 10, wherein the vent channel in the second valve member is in fluid communication with a secondary vent channel in a piston that is coupled to the second valve member.
13. The stack mold transfer device according to claim 12 further comprising:
a check valve disposed in the vent channel or the secondary vent channel.
14. The stack mold transfer device according to claim 1 further comprising:
a biasing member biasing the second valve member such that the second valve sealing surface engages the second valve seat.
15. The stack mold transfer device according to claim 1, wherein a depth of the receiving pocket is sized to slidably receive the end of the first valve member when the first valve member is translated such that the first valve sealing surface is disengaged from the first valve seat and the second valve sealing surface remains engaged with the second valve seat.
16. The stack mold transfer device according to claim 1 further comprising:
a pin slidably disposed in second valve member.
17. The stack molding apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the receiving pocket is defined by an inner surface of the second valve member and an end of the pin.
18. The stack mold transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the flow portion comprises at least one tunnel segment formed within the first valve member that has a first port defining an inlet and a second port defining an outlet.
19. The stack mold transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the second valve member includes a relief taper.
20. The stack mold transfer device according to claim 19, wherein an angle between the receiving pocket and the second valve sealing surface is greater than an angle between the receiving pocket and the relief taper.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A method for machining at least one aircraft gas turbine engine rotor blade wear indicator, comprising:
a step of machining the wear indicator using a laser so as to melt part of the blade, and
a step of collecting the molten material of the blade.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, in which, with the blade at one end comprising a bathtub squealer defining a bottom wall and at least one rim, the wear indicator being machined in the rim, the method comprises a step of collecting the molten blade material in said bathtub squealer.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2, comprising a step of fitting a plug into said bathtub squealer, said plug comprising at least one cavity for receiving the molten blade material.
4. The method as claimed in claim 3, in which the receiving cavity of the plug is formed facing the blade wear indicator.
5. The method as claimed in claim 4, in which, with the laser being directed substantially vertically during machining, the receiving cavity of the plug is positioned vertically under the blade wear indicator so as to collect the molten blade material using gravity.
6. The method as claimed in claim 3, in which, with the blade being mounted on a rotor disk secured to a stand, the method comprises a step of pushing the plug into the blade bathtub squealer so as to immobilize the blade with respect to the rotor disk during the machining process.
7. An elastic plug for implementing the method as claimed in claim 1, comprising a body intended to be mounted in a bathtub squealer formed at an end of an aircraft gas turbine engine rotor blade, the body comprising a lower wall intended to be in contact with the bottom wall of the bathtub squealer, a side wall intended to be in contact with the rim of the bathtub squealer and an upper wall, said side wall comprising at least one receiving cavity intended to receive molten blade material.
8. The plug as claimed in claim 7, in which the receiving cavity extends from the side wall to the upper wall of the plug.
9. A device for machining a rotor blade mounted radially on an aircraft gas turbine engine rotor disk for implementing the method as claimed in claim 1, comprising:
a stand for positioning the rotor disk;
a laser machining module designed to emit a laser beam toward the rotor blade so as to form a wear indicator;
a plug as claimed in one of claims 7 and 8, the plug being housed in a bathtub squealer formed at an end of said rotor blade; and
a module for immobilizing the blade in the machining position and designed to apply a radial pressure force to the plug in order to immobilize the blade.