Abstract:
A mold system for forming a casting article for investment casting in which the mechanical integrity of a ceramic core can be tested by viscosity manipulation. A method for testing a ceramic core used for an investment casting includes: positioning the ceramic core within a mold for receiving a sacrificial material fluid to form a sacrificial material on at least a portion of the ceramic core, the ceramic core having a predefined layout; during casting of the sacrificial material fluid about the ceramic core using the mold, controlling a viscosity of the sacrificial material fluid to simulate an expected viscosity of a molten metal used during a subsequent investment casting using the ceramic core; and evaluating mechanical damage to at least one region of the ceramic core caused by the casting of the sacrificial material fluid.
Abstract:
A system and method for thermal inspection of a component having at least one cooling hole is disclosed, that uses an evaporative membrane for direct evaporative cooling of an exhausted working fluid. A working fluid is supplied to at least one internal passage of a component that is configured to exhaust the working fluid from the internal passage sequentially through the cooling holes and the wetted evaporative membrane disposed in direct air-tight contact with the component. An imager captures a time series of images corresponding to a transient evaporative response of the exhausted working fluid to determine a plurality of temperature values for the exhausted working fluid after passage through the evaporative membrane. A processor circuit is configured to evaluate the transient evaporative response of the exhausted working fluid.
Abstract:
Laser cladding systems include a metal-filled wire comprising a metal shell surrounding a metal-filled core, wherein the metal-filled core comprises at least one of a powder metal or a fine wire metal, and, a laser that produces a laser beam directed onto at least a portion of a tip of the metal-filled wire to melt the metal shell and metal-filled core to produce a molten pool for depositing on a substrate.
Abstract:
A method for machining a shaft includes the step of machining a compound radius into the shaft at a junction between a radial surface of the shaft and an axial facing flange portion of the shaft. The compound radius has a curved surface with at least two different radii. The curved surface extends circumferentially around the shaft.
Abstract:
Methods for monitoring component strain, and methods for making a component with an integral strain indicator. A method of making a component with an integral strain indicator includes forming the component with an internal volume formed from a first material and an outer surface and directly depositing a plurality of fiducial markers on a portion of the outer surface. The fiducial markers are formed from a second material that is compatible with the first material and the portion of the outer surface defines an analysis region on the outer surface of the component. The analysis region defines a gage length, and each fiducial marker of the plurality of fiducial markers has a maximum diameter of between one-tenth and one-twentieth of the gage length.
Abstract:
Methods and systems may dispense turbine engine anticorrosive protection. In an embodiment, a method may include determining a condition of a gas turbine engine while the gas turbine engine is online, wherein the condition includes the power output level of the gas turbine engine and applying, based on the condition, an anticorrosion fluid to the gas turbine engine while the gas turbine engine is online.
Abstract:
A method of making a component with an integral strain indicator includes forming the component from a first material, where the component has an outer surface and an internal volume; and directly depositing a plurality of fiducial markers on a portion of the outer surface. The fiducial markers are formed from a second material that is compatible with the first material, and the portion of the outer surface defines an analysis region on the outer surface of the component. The analysis region defines a gage length, and each fiducial marker of the plurality of fiducial markers has a maximum diameter of between one-tenth and one-twentieth of the gage length. Periodic measurement of the fiducial marker positions is performed to monitor component strain.
Abstract:
A flow diverter for an air separator of a gas turbine includes a cylindrical body configured to fit within a cooling hole of the air separator. One or more air flow vents are defined through and around a partial circumference of the cylindrical body. A bottom panel closes the cylindrical body at one end. A mounting flange surrounds the cylindrical body at an open end and extends radially outward from the cylindrical body. When the flow diverter is installed, air flows through the open end in a radial direction and exits through the air flow vents in an axial direction. The cylindrical body may include a collapsible region that collapses to engage the air separator and prevent the flow diverter from being dislodged. The air separator may additionally or alternately include supplemental cooling holes in a recessed area proximate to its mounting flange.
Abstract:
A mold system for forming a casting article for investment casting in which the mechanical integrity of a ceramic core can be tested by viscosity manipulation. A method for testing a ceramic core used for an investment casting includes: positioning the ceramic core within a mold for receiving a sacrificial material fluid to form a sacrificial material on at least a portion of the ceramic core, the ceramic core having a predefined layout; during casting of the sacrificial material fluid about the ceramic core using the mold, controlling a viscosity of the sacrificial material fluid to simulate an expected viscosity of a molten metal used during a subsequent investment casting using the ceramic core; and evaluating mechanical damage to at least one region of the ceramic core caused by the casting of the sacrificial material fluid.
Abstract:
A process of producing a ceramic matrix composite gas turbine component and a ceramic matrix composite gas turbine component are provided. The process includes modifying a surface of the ceramic matrix composite gas turbine component to produce a modified surface with a surface roughness of less than 6 micrometers. The modifying is selected from the group of techniques consisting of applying unreinforced matrix plies to the surface, vapor depositing silicon on the surface, honing the surface, applying braze paste to the surface, and combinations thereof. The component includes a modified surface including a surface roughness of less than 6 micrometers. The modified surface being selected from the group consisting of unreinforced matrix plies applied to a surface of the ceramic matrix composite gas turbine component, silicon vapor deposited on the surface, a honed surface, a braze paste applied to the surface, and combinations thereof.