Patent Publication Number: US-2011061767-A1

Title: Component removal tool and method

Description:
STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST 
     This invention was made, at least in part, with U.S. Government support under Contract No. N00019-02-C-3003, awarded by the United States Navy. The U.S. Government may have certain rights in this invention. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Gas turbine engines are continually being enhanced to provide improved performance and durability and decreased size and weight for a given thrust rating while optimizing cost, producibility and repairability. Some gas turbine engines employ a fan inlet case that includes a ring strut ring. A ring strut ring generally includes an inner ring and an outer ring arranged concentrically. A number of struts connecting the inner and outer rings are spaced throughout the ring strut ring. The durability of the ring strut ring, and the struts in particular, may be enhanced by the use of fan inlet shroud fairings. Fan inlet shroud fairings are components with a U-shaped bend that surround the struts and help to provide additional physical protection and increase aerodynamics. Fan inlet shroud fairings may also incorporate electronic components such as ice protection heating elements and sensors. Typically, the fan inlet shroud fairings are bonded to the struts of the ring strut ring. It is necessary for these bonds to be strong enough to withstand the temperatures, air flow velocity, and physical disturbances encountered during flight. Thus, strong adhesive bonding compounds are used to bond the fan inlet shroud fairings to the struts. 
     At times it is necessary to remove the fan inlet shroud fairings from the struts of the ring strut ring. After the fan inlet shroud is bonded to the struts and prior to field deployment, testing is performed to ensure that any electronic components within the fan inlet shroud fairing are operating adequately. Unsatisfactory fan inlet shroud fairings must be removed and replaced with properly working fan inlet shroud fairings. Additionally, fan inlet shroud fairings may become inoperable following use in the field, such as after bird strike events. Inoperable fan inlet shroud fairings must also be removed and replaced. Removing the fan inlet shroud fairing from a ring strut ring can cause damage to the strut or other parts of the ring strut ring. If the strut or other parts of the ring strut ring are damaged, the damage must be repaired or the entire ring strut ring replaced. The ring strut ring is generally a more expensive component to repair or replace than the cumulative value of the fan inlet shroud fairings. Therefore, it is desirable to remove the fan inlet shroud fairing from a strut without causing damage to the ring strut ring. 
     SUMMARY 
     An apparatus according to the present invention includes a carriage, a first tooth, a second tooth, a feed block for guiding the carriage and a drive element. The first tooth is shaped for breaking bonds and attached to a first side of the carriage. The second tooth is shaped for breaking bonds and attached to the first side of the carriage. The first tooth and the second tooth are spaced apart and generally parallel to each other. The drive element is connected to the feed block and the carriage and moves the carriage with the first tooth and the second tooth along a path away from the feed block so that the first tooth and the second tooth break bonds encountered along the path. 
     A component removal tool includes a guide assembly, a tooth assembly and a drive element. The guide assembly has a feed block, a leading edge support, a guide arm and a guide rail. The feed block guides the drive element. The guide arm extends from the feed block to the leading edge support. The guide rail extends from the feed block and is spaced from and generally parallel to the guide arm. The tooth assembly includes a carriage, a first tooth, and a second tooth. The first tooth and the second tooth are both attached to a first side of the carriage and spaced apart and parallel to each other. The carriage carries the first and second teeth. The drive element is connected to the feed block and the carriage and moves the tooth assembly from the feed block toward the leading edge support so that the first tooth and the second tooth break bonds between components positioned in between the carriage and the leading edge support. 
     A method for removing a bonded component from a structure includes positioning a tool having first and second teeth with respect to the component and the structure so that the first tooth is inserted between a first trailing edge of the component and a first trailing edge of the structure and the second tooth is inserted between a second trailing edge of the component and a second trailing edge of the structure. The method includes driving the first and second teeth from the first and second trailing edges of the structure towards a leading edge of the structure to break bonds between the component and the structure. The method further includes removing the component from the structure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a partial view of a fan inlet case having a ring strut ring and fan inlet shroud fairings. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross section view of a bonded fan inlet shroud fairing and strut. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a component removal tool. 
         FIG. 4  is a flow diagram illustrating a method for removing a fan inlet shroud fairing from a strut. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of a component removal tool, fan inlet shroud fairing and strut. 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of a component removal tool operating on a fan inlet shroud fairing. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention relates to a component removal tool and method. More particularly, the present invention relates to a tool and method capable of removing a fan inlet shroud fairing from a strut of a ring strut ring while eliminating or minimizing damage to the strut. The tool and method are described with reference to a fan inlet shroud fairing and a strut in gas turbine engines. However, similarly shaped components can also be separated according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates part of a gas turbine fan inlet case  10  having a ring strut ring  12 . Ring strut ring  12  includes inner ring  14 , outer ring  16  and inner strut  18 . Inner ring  14  and outer ring  16  are circular rings. Outer ring  16  is concentric with inner ring  14  and has a larger diameter than inner ring  14 . Inner struts  18  extend between inner ring  14  and outer ring  16 . For example, in one gas turbine fan inlet case  10 , ring strut ring  12  contains seventeen inner struts  18 . However, more or fewer inner struts  18  may be present within ring strut ring  12  depending on the diameters of inner ring  14  and outer ring  16  and the type of gas turbine engine. Each inner strut  18  is surrounded by one fan inlet shroud fairing  20 . One such fan inlet shroud fairing  20  is shown cut away from inner strut  18  in  FIG. 1 . Fan inlet shroud fairing  20  is typically bonded to ring strut ring  12  at inner strut  18 . Fan inlet shroud fairing  20  generally covers the entire radial length of inner strut  18 . For example, in one gas turbine fan inlet case  10 , fan inlet shroud fairing is about 43 centimeters (17 inches) in length. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a cross section view of fan inlet shroud fairing  20  bonded to inner strut  18 . Fan inlet shroud fairing  20  includes leading edge  22  and two trailing edges  24   a  and  24   b , forming a generally U-shaped component. Fan inlet shroud fairing  20  is positioned around inner strut  18 . Fan inlet shroud fairing  20  and inner strut  18  are bonded together at two locations. First bond  26   a  is formed along one side of inner strut  18  and the interior side of fairing trailing edge  24   a . Second bond  26   b  is formed along the other side of inner strut  18  and the interior side of fairing trailing edge  24   b . First and second bonds  26   a  and  26   b  must be strong so that fan inlet shroud fairing  20  does not become dislodged from inner strut  18  during operation of the gas turbine engine. Silicone adhesives are frequently used to form first and second bonds  26   a  and  26   b  between fan inlet shroud fairing  20  and inner strut  18 , but other bonding agents may also be used. 
     Fan inlet shroud fairing  20  often contains embedded electrical components such as sensors and heating elements for ice protection. When these electrical components fail or malfunction or fan inlet shroud fairing  20  becomes damaged, fan inlet shroud fairing  20  must be removed from inner strut  18  and replaced. Because first and second bonds  26   a  and  26   b  between fan inlet shroud fairing  20  and inner strut  18  are strong, the removal of fan inlet shroud fairing  20  can be difficult. Care must be taken so that ring strut ring  12  and inner strut  18  are not damaged. To prevent damage, unnecessary torque and bending loads must not be applied to ring strut ring  12  or inner strut  18 . The method and component removal tool according to the present invention prevent unnecessary stress to inner strut  18  during fan inlet shroud fairing  20  removal. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment of component removal tool  30  suitable for removing fan inlet shroud fairing  20  from inner strut  18  of ring strut ring  12  without causing significant damage to inner strut  18  or ring strut ring  12 . Component removal tool  30  includes guide assembly  32 , tooth assembly  42  and drive element  52 . Guide assembly  32  provides support for component removal tool  30  during use and guides tooth assembly  42 . Tooth assembly  42  is configured to engage trailing edges  24   a  and  24   b  of fan inlet shroud fairing  20  to weaken and remove first and second bonds  26   a  and  26   b  between fan inlet shroud fairing  20  and inner strut  18  so that fan inlet shroud fairing  20  can be easily removed from ring strut ring  12 . Drive element  52  is configured to drive tooth assembly  42  from trailing edges  24   a  and  24   b  of fan inlet shroud fairing  20  towards leading edge  22 . 
     Guide assembly  32  of the component removal tool  30  illustrated in  FIG. 3  includes feed block  34 , guide arm  36 , leading edge support  38 , and guide rail  40 . Feed block  34  serves as a backstop for tooth assembly  42 , a support for guide arm  36  and guide rail  40 , and a back plate and guide for drive element  52 . Feed block  34  is located at a back end of guide assembly  32 . Tooth assembly  42  is located in front of feed block  34 . When tooth assembly  42  is located at its farthest position from leading edge support  38 , a back surface of tooth assembly  42  is adjacent or proximal to a front surface of feed block  34 . Feed block  34  prevents tooth assembly  42  from travelling farther backwards. One end of guide arm  36  and one end of guide rail  40  are attached to and extend from feed block  34 . Guide arm  36  is attached to a first side of feed block  34  and extends forward from feed block  34 . Guide rail  40  is attached to a second side of feed block  34  and also extends forward from feed block  34 . Feed block  34  also serves as a back plate and guide for drive element  52 . When drive element  52  pushes tooth assembly  42  forward, force is applied back to feed block  34 . Feed block  34  aligns and guides drive element  52  to properly engage with tooth assembly  42 . In one embodiment, feed block  34  is a metal, such as steel. 
     Guide arm  36  is connected to and extends forward from feed block  34 . Guide arm  36  serves as a support for component removal tool  30  to allow it to engage fan inlet shroud fairing  20  without transferring significant force to the ring strut ring. When bonded component removal tool  30  is engaged with fan inlet shroud fairing  20 , guide arm  36  is located on one side of fan inlet shroud fairing  20 . In one embodiment, guide arm  36  is located in close proximity to the exterior side of fan inlet shroud fairing  20  so that it does not interfere with other fan inlet shroud fairings  20  in fan inlet case  10 . At the same time, guide arm  35  is spaced from the exterior side of fan inlet shroud fairing  20  so that it does not provide mechanical interference with fan inlet shroud fairing  20  during removal. In one embodiment, guide arm  36  is a metal, such as stainless steel or aluminum. Guide arm  36  has a length sufficient to allow tooth assembly  42  to engage with trailing edges  24   a  and  24   b  of fan inlet shroud fairing  20  and allow leading edge support  38  to engage with leading edge  22  of fan inlet shroud fairing  20 . In one embodiment, guide arm has a length of about 31.8 cm (12.5 inches). 
     Leading edge support  38  is attached to a forward end of guide arm  36  and is generally perpendicular to guide arm  36 . During component removal, leading edge support  38  abuts or engages with leading edge  22  of fan inlet shroud fairing  20 . Leading edge support  38  serves as a guide when component removal tool  30  is positioned around fan inlet shroud fairing  20 . Leading edge support  38  also prevents fan inlet shroud fairing  20  from moving forward during component removal, eliminating the transfer of force to the ring strut ring during removal. By holding fan inlet shroud fairing  20  in place, tooth assembly  42  is able to engage first and second bonds  26   a  and  26   b  between fan inlet shroud fairing  20  and inner strut  18 . In one embodiment, leading edge support  38  contains groove  50  in which leading edge  22  of fan inlet shroud fairing  20  engages. Groove  50  serves to stabilize fan inlet shroud fairing  20  during component removal.  FIG. 5  illustrates one embodiment where leading edge support  38  includes groove  50 . 
     Guide rail  40  is connected to and extends forward from feed block  34 . Guide rail  40  guides tooth assembly  42  and prevents tooth assembly  42  from leaving guide assembly  32  during component removal. Guide rail  40  is positioned to allow tooth assembly  42  to travel from feed block  34  towards leading edge support  38  and vice versa. Tooth assembly  42  slides between guide arm  36  and guide rail  40  as it travels. In one embodiment, component removal tool  30  includes one guide rail  40 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , guide rail  40  is attached to the side of feed block  34  opposite guide arm  36 . Guide rail  40  can also be to other sides of feed block  34  as long as it allows tooth assembly  42  to travel from feed block  34  towards leading edge support  38  and vice versa. In another embodiment, guide assembly contains two guide rails  40   a  and  40   b .  FIG. 5  illustrates one embodiment of component removal tool  30  with guide rails  40   a  and  40   b.    
     Tooth assembly  42  of the component removal tool  30  illustrated in  FIG. 3  includes first tooth  44   a , second tooth  44   b , and carriage  48 . First and second teeth  44   a  and  44   b  are configured to remove first and second bonds  26   a  and  26   b  between fan inlet shroud fairing  20  and inner strut  18 . First tooth  44   a  is configured to engage and remove first bond  26   a . Second tooth  44   b  is configured to engage and remove second bond  26   b . First tooth  44   a  is generally parallel to and spaced from second tooth  44   b . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , a front portion of carriage  48  spaces first and second teeth  44   a  and  44   b . First and second teeth  44   a  and  44   b  are spaced such that forward ends  46   a  and  46   b  of first and second teeth  44   a  and  44   b  are able to engage first and second bonds  26   a  and  26   b , respectively between fan inlet shroud fairing  20  and inner strut  18  without damaging inner strut  18 . Guide rail  40  combined with groove  50  aligns tooth assembly  42  with first and second bonds  26   a  and  26   b.    
     To facilitate removal of first and second bonds  26   a  and  26   b , forward ends  46  of first and second teeth  44   a  and  44   b  are generally tapered. First tooth  44   a  includes forward end  46   a  and second tooth  44   b  includes forward end  46   b . First and second teeth  44   a  and  44   b  are shaped to provide a mechanical advantage during removal reducing the force required by drive element  52 . In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  5  and  6 , first and second teeth  44   a  and  44   b  are wedges with tapered forward ends  46   a  and  46   b . Both first tooth  44   a  and second tooth  44   b  have inner surfaces generally parallel to guide arm  36 . Portions of the outer surfaces of first tooth  44   a  and second tooth  44   b  are inclined and taper towards forward ends  46   a  and  46   b , respectively, of first and second teeth  44   a  and  44   b  to form wedges. Other tapered geometries for forward ends  46   a  and  46   b  can also be suitable for component removal tool  30 . Tapered forward ends  46   a  and  46   b  of first and second teeth  44   a  and  44   b  allow teeth  44   a  and  44   b  to engage and remove first and second bonds  26   a  and  26   b  between fan inlet shroud fairing  20  and inner strut  18  while preventing damage to inner strut  18 . The taper (angle) of forward ends  46   a  and  46   b  can be modified to reduce damage potential to inner strut  18  or reduce the number of bond breakage steps before fan inlet shroud fairing  20  can be removed from inner strut  18 . 
     First and second teeth  44   a  and  44   b  are constructed so they cause no or minimal damage to inner strut  18  or ring strut ring  12  during operation but are strong enough to remove first and second bonds  26   a  and  26   b  between fan inlet shroud fairing  20  and inner strut  18 . Materials used for first and second teeth  44   a  and  44   b  have sufficient mechanical strength so that teeth  44   a  and  44   b  do not break or bend significantly and retain their shape during operation of component removal tool  30  so that they can be reused for subsequent removal operations. At the same time, the tooth material hardness is sufficiently lower than the ring strut ring material hardness to reduce or prevent damage to inner strut  18  and ring strut ring  12 . In one embodiment, first and second teeth  44   a  and  44   b  are constructed of polymeric materials, such as plastics. For example, first and second teeth  44   a  and  44   b  can be polyamides, such as nylon. Teeth  44   a  and  44   b  generally have a height  47  (forming a surface that interacts with bonds  26 ) between about 2.5 cm (1 inch) and about 38.1 cm (15 inches). Teeth height  47  can be modified to increase interactions with bonds  26   a  and  26   b  (increase height  47 ) or provide additional structural integrity to teeth  44   a  and  44   b  where bonds  26   a  and  26   b  are particularly strong (decrease height  47 ). 
     Carriage  48  is attached to first and second teeth  44   a  and  44   b  and configured to carry first and second teeth  44   a  and  44   b  during operation of component removal tool  30 . Carriage  48  is positioned between first and second teeth  44   a  and  44   b  and feed block  34 . First and second teeth  44   a  and  44   b  are connected to carriage  48  and extend forward from carriage  48 . In conjunction with guide assembly  32 , carriage  48  holds tooth assembly  42  within component removal tool  30 . In one embodiment, carriage  48  includes a groove for receiving and engaging guide rail  40 . The groove engages with guide rail  40  so that carriage  48  and, thereby, tooth assembly  42  is retained within guide assembly  32 . The grooved engagement between carriage  48  and guide rail  40  permits movement of carriage  48  forwards and backwards from feed block  34  towards leading edge support  38  but limits other movement of carriage  48  and tooth assembly  42 .  FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment where carriage  48  is grooved to engage guide rail  40 . Carriage  48  also engages with a forward end of drive element  52 . When drive element  52  is activated, carriage  48  is moved forwards or backwards along an axis between feed block  34  and leading edge support  38 . Carriage  48  carries first and second teeth  44   a  and  44   b  as it moves. In one embodiment, carriage  48  is a metal, such as steel or aluminum. 
     Drive element  52  moves tooth assembly  42  within guide assembly  32  along a path between feed block  34  and leading edge support  38 . Various types of drive elements  52  are suitable for use in component removal tool  30 . Where teeth height  47  is large, multiple drive elements  52  can be used to accommodate the increased teeth height and ensure force is evenly applied along first and second bonds  26   a  and  26   b  by first and second teeth  44   a  and  44   b . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , drive element  52  is a screw feed. Drive element  52  engages a rear end of carriage  48 . Feed block  34  contains a threaded opening through which drive element  52  passes. Drive element  52  is also threaded. A rear end of drive element  52  is rotated to move tooth assembly  42 . When drive element  52  is rotated in one direction, drive element  52  pushes tooth assembly  42  forward toward leading edge support  38  and away from feed block  34 . When drive element  52  is rotated in the opposite direction, drive element  52  pulls tooth assembly  42  towards feed block  34  and away from leading edge support  38 . In one embodiment, drive element  52  is a metal, such as steel. In one embodiment, the rear end of drive element  52  is configured to engage with a drive mechanism, such as a torque wrench, socket wrench, ratchet or pneumatic, hydraulic or electric motor, to aid in rotation of drive element  52 . 
     In another embodiment of component removal tool  30 , drive element  52  is controlled by a pressurized fluid. Tooth assembly  42  can be driven by pneumatic drive element  52 . Pressurized air (or other suitable gases) is used to move tooth assembly  42  rather than a screw feed. Pneumatic drive element  52  is a pneumatic cylinder or actuator extending through a portion of feed block  34  so that a portion  53  of pneumatic drive element  52  is spaced between feed block  34  and carriage  48 . Pneumatic drive element  52  is secured to feed block  34  so that a piston in pneumatic drive element  52  can move carriage  48  away from or towards feed block  34  using pressurized air. In another embodiment, tooth assembly  42  is driven by hydraulic drive element  52 . A pressurized fluid, such as oil, is used to move tooth assembly  42 . Drive element  52  is a hydraulic cylinder extending through a portion of feed block  34  spaced between feed block  34  and carriage  48 .  FIG. 3  illustrates component removal tool  30  where drive element  52  is controlled by a pressurized fluid. Drive element  52  can also move tooth assembly  42  using cams and levers, springs and other mechanisms. 
     Component removal tool  30  illustrated in  FIG. 3  and described above provides for a method for removing a bonded fan inlet shroud fairing from a strut.  FIG. 4  is a flow diagram illustrating method  60 . Method  60  includes positioning fan inlet shroud fairing  20  and inner strut  18  between leading edge support  38  and tooth assembly  42  (step  62 ). Tooth assembly is aligned and positioned so that first tooth  44   a  is inserted between fan inlet shroud fairing  20  trailing edge  24   a  and inner strut at a first radial location and second tooth  44   b  is inserted between fan inlet shroud fairing  20  trailing edge  24   b  and inner strut at the first radial location (step  64 ). Step  66  includes driving first and second teeth  44   a  and  44   b  from fan inlet shroud fairing  20  trailing edges  24   a  and  24   b  towards fan inlet shroud fairing  20  leading edge  22 . If necessary, steps  62 ,  64 , and  66  are repeated at second, third, and fourth radial locations or until fan inlet shroud fairing  20  can be removed from inner strut  18  (step  68 ) with no or minimal damage to inner strut  18 . 
     In order to operate component removal tool  30  using method  60 , ring strut ring  12  is removed from the gas turbine engine in which it is a component. Removal of ring strut ring  12  provides access to trailing edges  24  of fan inlet shroud fairing  20  and inner strut  18 . During step  62 , guide assembly  32  is positioned around fan inlet shroud fairing  20  and inner strut  18  so that leading edge  22  of fan inlet shroud fairing  20  is located near or engaged with (at groove  50 ) leading edge support  38 .  FIG. 5  illustrates fan inlet shroud fairing  20  leading edge  22  engaged with leading edge support  38  at groove  50 . Tooth assembly  42  is generally aligned with trailing edges  24   a  and  24   b  of fan inlet shroud fairing  20  and inner strut  18 . 
     In step  64 , first and second teeth  44   a  and  44   b  are inserted between trailing edges  24   a  and  24   b , respectively, of fan inlet shroud fairing  20  and inner strut  18 . Drive element  52  is activated to move tooth assembly  42  forward towards trailing edges  24   a  and  24   b  of fan inlet shroud fairing  20 . Once tooth assembly  42  is near trailing edges  24   a  and  24   b , tooth assembly  42  is positioned and aligned so that first tooth  44   a  and second tooth  44   b  can engage respective first and second bonds  26   a  and  26   b  between fan inlet shroud fairing  20  and inner strut  18 . The spacing of first and second teeth  44   a  and  44   b  on carriage  48  is adjusted to correspond with the width of inner strut  18 , if necessary. 
     In step  66 , tooth assembly  42  is driven forward, towards leading edge  22  of fan inlet shroud fairing  20 , by drive element  52 . As tooth assembly  42  moves forward first tooth  44   a  engages first bond  26   a  and second tooth  44   b  engages second bond  26   b . Once engaged, teeth  44   a  and  44   b  break bonds  26   a  and  26   b , respectively, between fan inlet shroud fairing  20  and inner strut  18 . As tooth assembly  42  progresses towards leading edge  22 , first and second teeth  44   a  and  44   b  break bonds  26   a  and  26   b  and push trailing edges  24   a  and  24   b  of fan inlet shroud fairing  20  outward and away from inner strut  18 .  FIG. 6  illustrates first and second teeth  44   a  and  44   b  pushing trailing edges  24   a  and  24   b , respectively, of fan inlet shroud fairing  20  away from inner strut  18  as tooth assembly  42  moves towards leading edge  22 . 
     Steps  62 ,  64  and  66  are initially performed at a first radial location along fan inlet shroud fairing  20 . As described above, fan inlet shroud fairing  20  covers inner strut  18 , which extends from inner ring  14  to outer ring  16  of ring strut ring  12 . In some cases, inner strut  18  is so long and bonds  26   a  and  26   b  between fan inlet shroud fairing  20  and inner strut  18  are so strong that performing steps  62 ,  64  and  66  at one location on fan inlet shroud fairing  20  is insufficient to be able to completely break bonds  26   a  and  26   b  and remove fan inlet shroud fairing  20  from inner strut  18 . In these cases, steps  62 ,  64  and  66  must be repeated at one or more additional locations along fan inlet shroud fairing  20  and inner strut  18 . Depending on the dimensions of teeth  44   a  and  44   b , the strength of bonds  26   a  and  26   b  and the length of fan inlet shroud fairing  20 , steps  62 ,  64  and  66  may need to be performed at multiple radial locations before fan inlet shroud fairing  20  can be removed from inner strut  18 . A desired number of iterations of steps  62 ,  64  and  66  can be established by modifying component removal tool  30 . For example, increasing the taper (angle) of forward ends  46   a  and  46   b  of teeth  44   a  and  44   b , respectively, or increasing the surface area of teeth  44   a  and  44   b  exposed to bonds  26   a  and  26   b , respectively, (teeth height  47 ) can reduce the number of radial locations steps  62 ,  64  and  66  need to be performed. In an exemplary embodiment, steps  62 ,  64  and  66  would be performed four or fewer times in order to remove fan inlet shroud fairing  20  from inner strut  18 . 
     In step  68 , fan inlet shroud fairing  20  is removed from inner strut  18 . Once bonds  26   a  and  26   b  between fan inlet shroud fairing  20  and inner strut  18  have been sufficiently broken, fan inlet shroud fairing  20  can be fully separated from inner strut  18 . Once bonds  26   a  and  26   b  are broken, component removal tool  30  can be disengaged from fan inlet shroud fairing  20  and inner strut  18 . Fan inlet shroud fairing  20  can separate from inner strut  18  during or after disengagement of component removal tool  30 . 
     The component removal tool and method of the present invention provide for removal of components such as fan inlet shroud fairings bonded to structures such as struts in a ring strut ring. The tool and method allow for component removal while minimizing or eliminating damage to the structure. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.