Abstract:
A coupling apparatus for use in sealingly connecting a first fluid flow path to a second fluid flow path. The coupling apparatus includes a rigid fluid flow channel having a first end and a second end, wherein the fluid flow channel is substantially rigid in an axial direction and a radial direction, a first sealing terminus that is rigidly connected to the first end and that is configured for sealing with the first fluid flow path, and a second sealing terminus that is slidingly disposed about the second end such that the second sealing terminus is configured for relative movement with respect to the second end, and wherein the second sealing terminus is further configured for sealing with the second fluid flow path. The coupling apparatus further includes a flexible coupler connected to both the first sealing terminus and the second sealing terminus and surrounding the fluid flow channel, wherein the coupler is relatively more flexible in the axial direction and the radial direction as compared to the fluid flow channel.
Abstract:
A turbine rotor blade is provided for a turbine section of an engine. The turbine rotor blade includes a platform and an airfoil extending from the platform into a mainstream gas path of the turbine section. The airfoil includes a first side wall; a second side wall joined to the first side wall at a leading edge and a trailing edge; a tip cap extending between the first side wall and the second side wall; a first parapet wall extending from the first side wall; and a first cooling hole through the tip cap and the first parapet wall configured to deliver cooling air. The first cooling hole has a closed channel section and an open channel section. The open channel section forms a slot.
Abstract:
Methods for processing bonded dual alloy rotors are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes obtaining a bonded dual alloy rotor including rotor blades bonded to a hub disk. The rotor blades and hub disk are composed of different alloys. A minimum processing temperature (TDISK_PROCESS_MIN) for the hub disk and a maximum critical temperature for the rotor blades (TBLADE_MAX) is established such that TBLADE_MAX is less than TDISK_PROCESS_MIN. A differential heat treatment process is then performed during which the hub disk is heated to processing temperatures equal to or greater than TDISK_PROCESS_MIN, while at least a volumetric majority of each of the rotor blades is maintained at temperatures below TBLADE_MAX. Such a targeted differential heat treatment process enables desired metallurgical properties (e.g., precipitate hardening) to be created within the hub disk, while preserving the high temperature properties of the rotor blades and any blade coating present thereon.
Abstract:
A method for improving the surface of an aluminum alloy article includes manufacturing the aluminum alloy article using an additive manufacturing technique, wherein the article as-manufactured includes one or more of cracks, roughness, or porosity at a surface of the article; coating the surface of the aluminum alloy article with a diffusion element, the diffusion element being capable of diffusing at least 0.2 mils into the article; heating the aluminum alloy article coated with the diffusion element to cause the diffusion element to diffuse the at least 0.2 mils into the article, thereby forming a diffusion layer of at least 0.2 mils in thickness comprising both aluminum alloy and diffusion element; and removing the diffusion layer from the aluminum alloy article, whereby upon the removing, a resulting improved surface of the article comprises fewer or smaller cracks, reduced roughness, or reduced porosity.
Abstract:
Hybrid bonded turbine rotors and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. A hybrid bonded turbine rotor comprises a turbine disk and a plurality of turbine blades each metallurgically bonded to a corresponding raised blade attachment surface of a plurality of raised blade attachment surfaces of the turbine disk to define a bond plane located at a selected radial position. Turbine disk has a rim portion comprising a live rim of circumferentially continuous material and a plurality of live rim notches in an outer periphery of the turbine disk alternating with the plurality of raised blade attachment surfaces defining the outer periphery. The selected radial position is outboard of the live rim. Each pair of adjacent turbine blades defines a shank cavity therebetween. The shank cavity extends radially outwardly from the live rim and includes a live rim notch disposed below the bond plane and above the live rim.
Abstract:
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a method of forming a dispersion-strengthened aluminum alloy metal includes the steps of providing a dispersion-strengthened aluminum alloy composition in a powdered form, directing a low energy density laser beam at a portion of the powdered alloy composition, and withdrawing the laser beam from the portion of the powdered alloy composition. Subsequent to withdrawal of the laser beam, the portion of the powdered alloy composition cools at a rate greater than or equal to about 106° C. per second, thereby forming the dispersion-strengthened aluminum alloy metal.
Abstract:
An airfoil for a gas turbine engine is provided. The airfoil includes a body with a leading edge, a trailing edge, a first side wall extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge, and a second side wall extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge. The body defines an interior cavity. The airfoil includes an interior wall disposed within the interior cavity of the body and extending between the first wall and the second wall to define a supply chamber and a leading edge chamber. The interior wall defines a cooling hole with a base portion and a locally extended portion to direct cooling air from the supply chamber to the leading edge chamber such that the cooling air impinges upon the leading edge.
Abstract:
Unitary heat exchangers having integrally-formed compliant heat exchanger tubes and heat exchange systems including the same are provided. The unitary heat exchanger comprises an inlet plenum and an outlet plenum and a plurality of integrally-formed compliant heat exchanger tubes. The plurality of integrally-formed compliant heat exchanger tubes extend between and are integral with the inlet and outlet plenums to define a heat exchanger first flow passage. Each integrally-formed compliant heat exchanger tube comprises a tubular member and a plurality of integral heat transfer fins extend radially outwardly from at least one portion of the tubular member. The tubular member has a proximal tube end and a distal tube end and comprises a tubular wall having an outer wall surface and an inner wall surface.
Abstract:
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a turbine stator component includes a first endwall; a second endwall; a first stator airfoil coupled between the first and second endwalls; and a second stator airfoil adjacent to the first airfoil and coupled between the first and second endwalls. The first stator airfoil has first crystallographic primary and secondary orientations. The second stator airfoil has second crystallographic primary and secondary orientations, the first crystallographic primary and secondary orientations being different from the second crystallographic primary and secondary orientations.
Abstract:
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a method for manufacturing a bypass valve of a turbine engine control system is described. The bypass valve includes a proportional valve and an integrator valve and the integrator valve includes an integrator spring assembly. The method includes forming the integrator spring assembly using an additive manufacturing technique. The integrator spring assembly comprises first and second end portions with a spring portion disposed between the first and second end portions. The first and second end portions and the spring portion are formed as an integral unit without welding or brazing using the additive manufacturing technique. The method further includes assembling the integrator spring assembly, the integrator valve, and the proportional valve into a complete bypass valve assembly.