The present invention provides a fluidic clamping device (100) comprising a sleeve (110) for clamping and holding a movable part (200). The sleeve (110) comprises a central element (111) having a cross-section in a longitudinal direction of the central element (111), comprising a cavity configured to receive the movable part (200). The fluidic clamping device (100) is characterized in that the sleeve (110) further comprises at least one chamber (112) disposed on an outer periphery of the central element (111) and extending along a longitudinal direction of the central element (111), the at least one chamber (112) configured to containing a fluid, wherein the fluidic clamping device (100) is configured to pressurize an interior of the at least one chamber (112) with a first predetermined fluidic pressure or a second predetermined fluidic pressure, wherein the first predetermined fluidic pressure is lower than the second predetermined fluidic pressure, and wherein the central element (111) is configured to be in frictional contact with the movable part (200) at at least a portion of an inner periphery of the central element (111) and to clamp and hold the movable part (200) in a first state in which the interior of the at least one chamber (112) is pressurized with the first fluidic pressure, and wherein the central element (111) is configured not to be in frictional contact with the movable part (200) at any portion of the inner periphery of the central element (111) in a second state in which the interior of the at least one chamber (112) is pressurized with the second fluidic pressure.

Systems and methods are provided for gripping of a workpiece with a layer jamming structure having rigid datum structures. A system includes a layer jamming structure configurable in an inactivated conformable state, with a membrane defining an internal cavity containing a number of overlapping material layers. The rigid structures engage the layer jamming structure. A pressure system includes a pump coupled with the internal cavity to change a pressure therein to transform the layer jamming structure from the inactivated conformable state to an activated rigid state disposed around the workpiece. The rigid structures help conform the layer jamming structure to the workpiece during transformation to the activated rigid state and to present datum fixturing surfaces in the activated rigid state.

Methods are provided for securing a tool within a gas turbine engine. The method can include inserting a tool into the engine; inserting a bladder between a portion of the tool and a component in the engine; and inflating the bladder to temporarily secure the tool in its position. For example, two tools (or more) can be inserted into the engine and secured by the bladder.

Systems and methods are provided for gripping of a workpiece with a layer jamming structure having rigid datum structures. A system includes a layer jamming structure configurable in an inactivated conformable state, with a membrane defining an internal cavity containing a number of overlapping material layers. The rigid structures engage the layer jamming structure. A pressure system includes a pump coupled with the internal cavity to change a pressure therein to transform the layer jamming structure from the inactivated conformable state to an activated rigid state disposed around the workpiece. The rigid structures help conform the layer jamming structure to the workpiece during transformation to the activated rigid state and to present datum fixturing surfaces in the activated rigid state.

A system for supporting workpieces comprises a base and a plurality of support members (1), each support member (1) comprising a plate (11) and means for positioning the plate (11) in relation to the base. In at least some of the support members (1). The means for positioning the plate (11) comprise at least three controllably extendable members (13) arranged for determining the position and inclination of the plate (11) in relation to the base, thereby allowing for controlled positioning of the plate (11) in relation to the base and for controlled inclination of the plate (11).

The present disclosure provides an external clip-on fixture. The external clip-on fixture may include a support structure (1) and a first elastic member (2). The first elastic member (2) may be configured to sealedly wrap the support structure (1) and expand inward along a radial direction under actions of an inflating and deflating device. The external clip-on fixture of the present disclosure is small in size, light in weight, simple in structure, and low in cost. Fragile and soft objects with different sizes, regular or irregular external shapes, such as a column shape, a bottled shape, etc., may be stably clamped within a certain range without damaging the clamped objects.

Mounting apparatuses for turbine airfoils of turbine systems are disclosed. The mounting apparatuses may include a body portion configured to be at least partially positioned between a first airfoil and a second airfoil of the turbine system, and an adjustable, first retention component formed on a first side of the body portion. The adjustable, first retention component may be configured to contact a portion of a suction side of the first airfoil of the turbine system. The mounting apparatuses may also include a second retention component formed on a second side of the body portion, opposite the first side. The second retention component may be configured to contact a portion of a pressure side of the second airfoil of the turbine system.

The present disclosure relates to an inner support clamp. The inner support clamp may include a first elastic component and a supporting component. A connection part may be disposed on the supporting component and connected to an external device. The first elastic component may hermetically cover at least a portion of the supporting component such that the first elastic component expands outward when the first elastic component is inflated by an inflation and deflation device. The inner support clamp may be with a small size, a light weight, and/or a simple structure, thereby reducing the manufacture cost of the inner support clamp. The inner support clamp may clamp objects with different sizes and shapes rapidly and stably. For a fragile, soft, or bottle-shape object, or an object with a regular or irregular shape, the inner support clamp may clamp the object safely and not cause damage to the object.

A system for supporting workpieces comprises a base and a plurality of support members (1), each support member (1) comprising a plate (11) and means for positioning the plate (11) in relation to the base. In at least some of the support members (1). The means for positioning the plate (11) comprise at least three controllably extendable members (13) arranged for determining the position and inclination of the plate (11) in relation to the base, thereby allowing for controlled positioning of the plate (11) in relation to the base and for controlled inclination of the plate (11).

A cuff-blade attachment bushing removal tool system includes an alignment plate comprising alignment holes defined through the alignment plate in a pattern of a plurality of bushing holes of a blade root, a bladder plate connected to the alignment plate, and a bladder positioned on the bladder plate such that a gap is formed between the bladder and the alignment plate to receive a blade root to align the alignment holes and the bushing holes of the blade root, wherein the bladder is transitionable between an uninflated position where the blade root can be inserted into the gap and an inflated position where the blade root is clamped between the bladder and the alignment plate.