Abstract:
A heat exchanger may include at least one fluid passageway adjacent a heat transfer plate and a plurality of heat transfer elements positioned in the at least one fluid passageway and joined with the heat transfer plate. The heat transfer elements may be positioned with first spacings therebetween at an inlet end of the at least one fluid passageway. The heat transfer elements may be positioned with second spacings therebetween at an outlet end of the at least one fluid passageway. The first spacings may be smaller than the second spacings.
Abstract:
Nickel-based superalloys and additive manufacturing processes using nickel-based superalloys are disclosed herein. For example, a nickel-based superalloy includes, on a weight basis of the overall superalloy: about 9.5% to about 10.5% tungsten, about 9.0% to about 11.0% cobalt, about 8.0% to about 8.8% chromium, about 5.3% to about 5.7% aluminum, about 2.8% to about 3.3% tantalum, about 0.3% to about 1.6% hafnium, about 0.5% to about 0.8% molybdenum, about 0.005% to about 0.04% carbon, and a majority of nickel. Exemplary additive manufacturing processes include subjecting such a nickel-based superalloy in powdered build material form to a high energy density beam in an additive manufacturing process to selectively fuse portions of the build material to form a built component and subjecting the built component to a finishing process to precipitate a gamma-prime phase of the nickel-based superalloy.
Abstract:
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a method of forming a ceramic reinforced titanium alloy includes the steps of providing, in a pre-alloy powdered form, a ceramic reinforced titanium alloy composition that is capable of achieving a dispersion-strengthened microstructure, directing a low energy density energy beam at a portion of the alloy composition, and forming a ceramic reinforced titanium alloy metal having ceramic particulates of less than 10 μm on a weight-average basis. The step of forming includes the sub-steps of withdrawing the energy beam from the portion of the powdered alloy composition and cooling the portion of the powdered alloy composition at a rate greater than or equal to about 106° F. per second, thereby forming the ceramic reinforced titanium alloy metal.
Abstract:
Methods are provided for producing alloy forms from alloys containing one or more extremely reactive elements and for fabricating a component therefrom. The fabricating method comprises substantially removing a reactive gas from the fabrication environment. An alloy form of the alloy is formed. The alloy form is formed by melting the alloy or by melting one or more base elements of the alloy to produce a molten liquid and introducing the one or more extremely reactive elements into the molten liquid. The molten alloy is shaped into the alloy form. The component is formed from the alloy form. If the one or more extremely reactive elements are introduced into the molten liquid, such introduction occurs just prior to the shaping step.
Abstract:
A heat exchange system includes a tubular fan air inlet portion and a tubular cooled air outlet portion connected to a first end of a tubular mid portion. The heat exchange system further includes a tubular hot air inlet portion and a tubular recycled fan air outlet portion connected a second end of the mid portion. Still further, the heat exchange system includes an integrally-formed, compliant heat exchanger tube extending between the hot air inlet portion and the cooled air outlet portion within the mid portion to define a heat exchanger first flow passage within the heat exchanger tube and a second flow passage outside of the heat exchanger tube but within the tubular mid portion. Methods for fabricating such heat exchange systems are also provided.
Abstract:
A turbine vane includes an airfoil that extends from an inner diameter to an outer diameter, and from a leading edge to a trailing edge. The turbine vane includes an inner platform coupled to the airfoil at the inner diameter. The turbine vane includes a cooling system defined in the airfoil including a first conduit in proximity to the leading edge to cool the leading edge and a second conduit to cool the trailing edge. The first conduit has an inlet at the outer diameter to receive a cooling fluid and an outlet portion that is defined at least partially through the inner platform. The first conduit includes a plurality of cooling features that extend from a first surface of the first conduit, and the first surface of the first conduit is opposite the leading edge.
Abstract:
An engine component includes a body having an internal surface and an external surface, the internal surface at least partially defining an internal cooling circuit. The component further includes a plurality of cooling holes formed in the body and extending between the internal cooling circuit and the external surface of the body. The plurality of cooling holes includes a first cooling hole with a metering portion with a constant cross-sectional area and a cross-sectional shape having a maximum height that is offset relative to a longitudinal centerline of the metering portion; and a diffuser portion extending from the metering portion to the external surface of the body.
Abstract:
A heat exchanger includes a plurality of interconnected separator members that respectively include a first surface and an opposite second surface. The separator members respectively include an array of wave features. Also, the separator members are stacked and disposed in an alternating arrangement with the first surfaces of adjacent separator members facing each other and attached at the respective wave features, and with the second surfaces of adjacent separator members facing each other and attached at the respective wave features. The heat exchanger also includes a plurality of first flow passages for first fluid flow and second flow passages for second fluid flow. The second fluid and the first fluid are configured to exchange heat through the separator members.
Abstract:
A turbine vane includes an airfoil that extends from an inner diameter to an outer diameter, and from a leading edge to a trailing edge. The turbine vane includes an inner platform coupled to the airfoil at the inner diameter. The turbine vane includes a cooling system defined in the airfoil including a first conduit in proximity to the leading edge to cool the leading edge and a second conduit to cool the trailing edge. The first conduit has an inlet at the outer diameter to receive a cooling fluid and an outlet portion that is defined at least partially through the inner platform. The first conduit includes a plurality of cooling features that extend between a first surface and a second surface of the first conduit, and the first surface of the first conduit is opposite the leading edge.
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.