Abstract: An apparatus for applying material by cathodic arc vapor deposition to a substrate is provided which includes a vessel, apparatus for maintaining a vacuum in the vessel, a disk-shaped cathode, apparatus for selectively sustaining an arc of electrical energy between the cathode and an anode, and apparatus for driving the arc around an axially extending evaporative surface of the cathode. The apparatus for driving the arc includes a magnetic field generator attached to a ferromagnetic center piece. The magnetic field generator includes a plurality of side magnets attached to the ferromagnetic center piece, and a center magnet positioned radially inside of the side magnets. Each side magnet produces a magnetic field that permeates the cathode, and each magnetic field includes a portion that runs substantially parallel to the evaporative surface. The center magnet influences the axial position of the arc path relative to the evaporative surface.

Abstract: A hollow airfoil is provided having a pressure side wall, a suction side wall, a cavity formed between the pressure and suction side walls, a plurality of cooling ports disposed within the pressure side wall, and a plurality of passages, each extending between the cavity and one of the cooling ports. Each passage has a first wall adjacent the suction side wall, a pair of passage side walls extending substantially toward the pressure side wall, and a second wall adjacent the pressure side wall. In a first embodiment, each passage further includes a pair of fillets extending between the passage side walls and the second wall. In a second embodiment, each passage includes a jog adjacent each cooling port.

Abstract: A valve for controlling the flow of fuel within a gas turbine engine is provided. The fuel flow control valve includes a valve block disposed within a sleeve, and apparatus for displacing one of the sleeve or valve block relative to the other. The sleeve includes an inlet port and an exit port. The valve block includes an inlet gate and an exit gate. One of the sleeve or the valve block may be displaced relative to the other from a closed position where the gates close the ports and thereby prevent fluid flow through the valve via the ports, to a plurality of open positions where the gates less than completely close the ports, and thereby allow fluid flow through the valve via the ports.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an apparatus for applying material by cathodic arc vapor deposition to a substrate is provided which includes a vessel, apparatus for maintaining a vacuum in the vessel, an annular cathode having a bore and an evaporative surface extending between first and second end surfaces, apparatus for selectively sustaining an arc of electrical energy between the cathode and an anode, and apparatus for steering the arc around the evaporative surface. The apparatus for steering the arc is positioned within the cathode bore, and produces a magnetic field that runs substantially parallel to the evaporative surface. The annular cathode is disposed radially inside of, and aligned with, the substrates inside the vessel.

Abstract: A rotor disk for a gas turbine engine having an axis of rotation and an axial centerline is provided which includes a rim, forward and aft hubs, and forward and aft webs. The forward web extends between the rim and the forward hub, and the aft web extends between the rim and the aft hub. The forward and aft hubs are separated. Each web is skewed from the axial centerline. A circumferentially extending cavity is formed between the webs and the hubs.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying material by cathodic arc deposition to a substrate is provided which includes a vessel, means for maintaining a vacuum in the vessel, a cathode, a contactor, means for selectively sustaining an arc of electrical energy between the cathode and an anode, and an actuator. The cathode and contactor are positioned inside the vessel, and the contactor is electrically connected to the means for selectively sustaining an arc of electrical energy. The actuator selectively actuates the contactor into electrical contact with the cathode, and thereby electrically connects the cathode to the means for sustaining an arc of electrical energy.

Abstract: A composite ceramic coating having abrasive properties for application to a metallic substrate is provided which includes a ceramic matrix and a plurality of ceramic abrasive particles disposed within said ceramic matrix. The abrasive particles have a shear strength substantially greater than that of the ceramic matrix and possess an angular geometry. A method for providing an abrasive coating on a metallic article is also provided.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an airfoil is provided which includes the steps of: a) providing a billet of discontinuously reinforced aluminum having at least 10 volume percent of silicon carbide as a reinforcing element, and no more than 30 volume percent of silicon carbide as the reinforcing element; 2) extruding the billet into an airfoil shaped geometry from a die, wherein the geometry includes a first wall, a second wall disposed opposite the first wall, a leading edge, a trailing edge disposed opposite the leading edge, and a first cavity disposed between the first and second walls, and the leading and trailing edges.

Abstract: A gas turbine augmentor fuel manifold is provided which includes a hollow body, a plurality of fuel valves and a cleansing port disposed in the hollow body, and apparatus for selectively admitting fuel into the hollow body. The hollow body has a forward surface and an aft surface. When the apparatus for selectively admitting fuel into the hollow body is in an off position, core gas flowing past the hollow body enters the cleansing port and purges the interior of the hollow body of residual fuel and fuel residue, thereby cleaning the hollow body.

Abstract: A bypass air valve for a gas turbine engine is provided which includes a liner, a strap, and means for selectively actuating the valve. The liner includes an inner radial surface, an outer radial surface, a plurality of first regions, and a plurality of second regions. Each first region includes a plurality of first apertures. Each second region includes a plurality of second apertures. The strap includes a plurality of openings and a plurality of third regions. Each third region includes a plurality of third apertures. The valve may be selectively actuated into an open or a closed position. In the open position, the first regions are substantially aligned with the openings and the third regions are substantially aligned with the second regions. In the closed position, the first regions are substantially aligned with the third regions and the second regions are substantially aligned with the openings.

Abstract: A composite ceramic coating having abrasive properties for application to a metallic substrate is provided which includes a ceramic matrix and a plurality of ceramic abrasive particles disposed within said ceramic matrix. The abrasive particles have a shear strength substantially greater than that of the ceramic matrix and possess an angular geometry. A method for providing an abrasive coating on a metallic article is also provided.

Abstract: An airfoil is provided having a cross-sectional geometry which includes a first wall, a second wall disposed opposite the first wall, a leading edge, a trailing edge disposed opposite the leading edge, and a first cavity. The first cavity is disposed between the first and second walls, and the leading and trailing edges. The cross-sectional geometry extends between a first and a second end, and the airfoil is formed from discontinuously reinforced aluminum.

Abstract: A seal for stator vane segments within a gas turbine engine is provided which includes an axial member and an end member. The axial member includes a central portion and at least one axial joint element extending out from the central portion. The central portion has across-section which includes a pair of substantially u-shaped circumferential ends connected by an arcuate midsection. The axial joint element transitions from the arcuate midsection to a substantially flat end. The end member includes an end joint element attached to a radial portion. The axial and end joint elements contact each other to prevent leakage therebetween, and also sidably cooperate with each other to accommodate misalignment between the axial member and the end member.

Abstract: A stator vane assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of stator vane segments and fasteners. Each stator vane segment includes an inner radial platform, an outer radial platform, at least one airfoil extending between said platforms, and a first mounting flange extending radially outward from said outer radial platform. Each first mounting flange is aligned with a second mounting flange extending radially inward from an outer case surrounding the stator vane assembly. Each fastener includes a bolt extending through the first and second mounting flanges, a nut for threaded engagement with the bolt, and apparatus for preventing vibration of the fasteners.

Abstract: A thermal spray method and apparatus for applying a coating on to a substrate is provided comprising the steps of: (1) providing powder particles to be deposited on to the substrate; (2) providing a plasma spray apparatus for depositing the powder particles; (3) providing structure for preheating the powder particles prior to the particles entering the plume; (4) preheating the powder particles prior to entraining the particles within the plasma; and (5) depositing the molten powder particles on to the substrate.

Abstract: A stator vane assembly is provided having a plurality of stator vane segments and support rings. Each stator vane segment includes an inner platform, an outer platform, an airfoil extending between the inner and outer platforms, and a first sealing flange. The first sealing flange extends out from one of the inner or outer platforms, and includes an arcuate seal surface. The stator vane segment may pivot about the arcuate seal surface to accommodate movement of the stator vane segment.

Abstract: An exhaust nozzle for a gas turbine engine is provided which includes a plurality of flaps and an abradable coating. Each flap includes seal surfaces with depressions disposed therein. The flaps are disposed about a structure within the engine, and are pivotly attached to that structure. Adjacent flaps overlap along the seal surfaces, and movement of the nozzle causes relative motion between the adjacent flaps. The abradable coating is attached to the seal surfaces, and contact between adjacent flaps causes the abradable coating to abrade. The remaining abradable coating fills the depressions within the seal surfaces.

Abstract: A fluid flow metering device is provided which includes a body and a plurality of flow restriction plates. The body has a duct, within which the flow restriction plates are disposed in a spaced apart manner. Each flow restriction plate includes an orifice disposed adjacent the interior wall surface of the duct and misaligned with orifices in adjacent plates. A side-to-side flow pattern is created by the position of orifices relative to the interior wall surface and the misalignment between orifices in adjacent plates which inhibits the accumulation of foreign debris within the duct.

Abstract: A rotor blade for a rotor assembly is provided which includes a root, an airfoil, a platform, and a damper. The airfoil includes at least one cavity. The platform extends laterally outward from the blade between the root and the airfoil, and includes an airfoil side, a root side, and an aperture extending between the root side of the platform and the cavity within the airfoil. The damper, which includes at least one bearing surface, is received within the aperture and the cavity. The bearing surface is in contact with a surface within the cavity and friction between the bearing surface and the surface within the cavity damps vibration of the blade.

Abstract: A device for sealing between and damping of adjacent rotor blade platforms is provided which includes a forward seal member, a compliant center seal member, an aft seal member, a first damper, and a second damper. The first damper is disposed between the forward and compliant center seal members, and the second damper is disposed between the compliant center and aft seal members. The compliant center seal member is disposed between the first and second dampers. The compliant center seal member accommodates misalignment between adjacent rotor blade platforms by deflecting in response to centrifugal forces acting on the dampers.