Abstract: A system and method detect weld defects in real time. Cameras capture images of a weld pool as well as ripple shape and fillet geometry. A processor receives the images and communicates with a database that stores correlated potential weld defects with images of a mock weld molten pool and images of a mock weld ripple shape and fillet geometry. The processor computes an aggregate probability that a weld position corresponding to the images captured by the cameras contains a defect based on the potential defects correlated in the database.

Abstract: A dual-torch welding system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the welding system includes a pair of torches positioned in an other than opposing arrangement to weld a substantially circular component therebetween, and a means for rotating the substantially circular component and the pair of torches relative to one another, allowing welding of the substantially circular component by the pair of torches.

Abstract: A monitoring system includes an acoustic emission monitoring system including acoustic emission sensors, a partial discharge monitoring system including partial discharge sensors and synchronized with the acoustic emission monitoring system, and a computer receiving acoustic emission data from the acoustic emission sensors and electrical data from the partial discharge sensors. The computer is configured to classify a first statistical event as a fatigue cracking event by pattern recognition of the acoustic emission data and determine a first location and a first damage condition resulting from the fatigue cracking event, classify a second statistical event as a partial discharge event by pattern recognition of the acoustic emission data or the electrical data, and fuse the acoustic emission data and the electrical data for the second statistical event and determine a second location and a second damage condition resulting from the partial discharge event. Methods of monitoring are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a joining preform includes the step of printing a self-fluxing joining alloy. Joining includes brazing and soldering. The self-fluxing joining alloy contains at least one of phosphorus, boron, fluorine, chlorine, or potassium. Another printing step prints a non-phosphorous joining alloy. Both printing steps are performed by an additive manufacturing or 3D printing process. The printing a self-fluxing joining alloy step may be repeated until the non-phosphorous joining alloy is substantially encapsulated by the self-fluxing joining alloy. The self-fluxing joining alloy may be a BCuP alloy, a CuP alloy, a CuSnP alloy, a CuSnNiP alloy or a CuAgP alloy. The non-phosphorous joining alloy may be a BAg alloy, a BNi alloy or a BAu alloy.

Abstract: A monitoring system includes an acoustic emission monitoring system including acoustic emission sensors, a partial discharge monitoring system including partial discharge sensors and synchronized with the acoustic emission monitoring system, and a computer receiving acoustic emission data from the acoustic emission sensors and electrical data from the partial discharge sensors. The computer is configured to classify a first statistical event as a fatigue cracking event by pattern recognition of the acoustic emission data and determine a first location and a first damage condition resulting from the fatigue cracking event, classify a second statistical event as a partial discharge event by pattern recognition of the acoustic emission data or the electrical data, and fuse the acoustic emission data and the electrical data for the second statistical event and determine a second location and a second damage condition resulting from the partial discharge event. Methods of monitoring are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method detect weld defects in real time. Cameras capture images of a weld pool as well as ripple shape and fillet geometry. A processor receives the images and communicates with a database that stores correlated potential weld defects with images of a mock weld molten pool and images of a mock weld ripple shape and fillet geometry. The processor computes an aggregate probability that a weld position corresponding to the images captured by the cameras contains a defect based on the potential defects correlated in the database.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a joining preform includes the step of printing a self-fluxing joining alloy. Joining includes brazing and soldering. The self-fluxing joining alloy contains at least one of phosphorus, boron, fluorine, chlorine, or potassium. Another printing step prints a non-phosphorous joining alloy. Both printing steps are performed by an additive manufacturing or 3D printing process. The printing a self-fluxing joining alloy step may be repeated until the non-phosphorous joining alloy is substantially encapsulated by the self-fluxing joining alloy. The self-fluxing joining alloy may be a BCuP alloy, a CuP alloy, a CuSnP alloy, a CuSnNiP alloy or a CuAgP alloy. The non-phosphorous joining alloy may be a BAg alloy, a BNi alloy or a BAu alloy.

Abstract: A method or system for steam purity monitoring in a steam powered turbine includes providing a chloride-sensing device in a steam flow path; generating a signal from the chloride-sensing device indicative of a concentration level of chloride ions in a steam flow; and indicating a concentration level of chloride ions in a steam flow. The steam turbine includes a rotor, a rotating shaft and a plurality of axially spaced rotor wheels. A plurality of rotating blades is mechanically coupled to each rotor wheel. A chloride-sensing device is disposed in a steam flow path. A controller is arranged to generate a signal from the chloride-sensing device indicative of a concentration level of chloride ions in a steam flow and indicate a concentration level of chloride ions in a steam flow.

Abstract: A cold spray coating process is disclosed. The cold spray coating process includes positioning a cold spray nozzle relative to a bearing assembly, rotating the bearing assembly, and directing a powdered babbitt material through the cold spray nozzle, to a surface of the rotating bearing assembly. The powdered babbitt material adheres to the surface of the rotating bearing assembly, forming a coating on the surface. Another cold spray coating process includes positioning the cold spray nozzle relative to a bearing assembly, rotating the cold spray nozzle, and directing a powdered babbitt material through the cold spray nozzle, to a surface of the bearing assembly. The powdered babbitt material adheres to the surface, the rotating of the cold spray nozzle forming a coating on the surface. Another cold spray coating process includes monitoring properties of the coating on the surface of the bearing assembly with a coating monitor.

Abstract: A system, process, and component are disclosed. The system and process involve an induction heater arranged and disposed to heat a component to form a heated surface and a nozzle arrangement positioned to apply a fluid to the heated surface to form a processed surface of a component. The processed surface includes compressive residual stress resulting in increased resistance to fatigue, including fretting fatigue, for the component.

Abstract: A cold spray coating process is disclosed. The cold spray coating process includes positioning a cold spray nozzle relative to a bearing assembly, rotating the bearing assembly, and directing a powdered babbitt material through the cold spray nozzle, to a surface of the rotating bearing assembly. The powdered babbitt material adheres to the surface of the rotating bearing assembly, forming a coating on the surface. Another cold spray coating process includes positioning the cold spray nozzle relative to a bearing assembly, rotating the cold spray nozzle, and directing a powdered babbitt material through the cold spray nozzle, to a surface of the bearing assembly. The powdered babbitt material adheres to the surface, the rotating of the cold spray nozzle forming a coating on the surface. Another cold spray coating process includes monitoring properties of the coating on the surface of the bearing assembly with a coating monitor.

Abstract: A method or system for steam purity monitoring in a steam powered turbine includes providing a chloride-sensing device in a steam flow path; generating a signal from the chloride-sensing device indicative of a concentration level of chloride ions in a steam flow; and indicating a concentration level of chloride ions in a steam flow. The steam turbine includes a rotor, a rotating shaft and a plurality of axially spaced rotor wheels. A plurality of rotating blades is mechanically coupled to each rotor wheel. A chloride-sensing device is disposed in a steam flow path. A controller is arranged to generate a signal from the chloride-sensing device indicative of a concentration level of chloride ions in a steam flow and indicate a concentration level of chloride ions in a steam flow.

Abstract: A brazing method is provided including the steps of, preplacing a braze alloy on a first plurality of conductive strands, the first plurality of conductive strands comprising a first stator bar, preplacing a braze alloy on a second plurality of conductive strands, the second plurality of conductive strands comprising a second stator bar, and heating at least a portion of the first stator bar to join the first plurality of conductive strands and the second stator bar to join the second plurality of conductive strands. Another step is used for electrically connecting the first stator bar to the second stator bar.

Abstract: A treatment for improving resistance to stress corrosion cracking (SCC) and a treated component are disclosed. A surface of a relatively high tensile strength component that includes a superalloy material is heated to a temperature at which softening occurs. The surface is then cooled in a controlled manner so as to maintain a reduced tensile strength at the surface that improves resistance to SCC while keeping a relatively high tensile strength in the remainder of the component.

Abstract: A brazing method includes the steps of providing a first part and a second part, at least a first portion of the first part configured to fit inside a second portion of the second part, preplacing a non-self-fluxing braze alloy on one or more of the first portion and the second portion, thermally treating at least one of the first portion and the second portion, to create a temperature differential between the first portion and the second portion, inserting the first portion into the second portion, and heating at least one of the first portion and the second portion to melt the non-self-fluxing braze alloy. The first portion is joined by brazing to the second portion.

Abstract: A brazing method for a dynamoelectric machine is provided, and includes the steps of providing a first dynamoelectric machine part and a second dynamoelectric machine part, where a first portion of the first dynamoelectric machine part is configured to fit inside a second portion of the second dynamoelectric machine part. A step of preplacing a non-self-fluxing braze alloy on the first portion or the second portion. A step of thermally treating the first portion or the second portion, to create a temperature differential and size differential between the first portion and the second portion. A step of inserting the first portion into the second portion, and heating at least one of the first portion and the second portion to melt the non-self-fluxing braze alloy. The first portion is joined to the second portion by brazing in air, without the use of a flux, vacuum or inert atmosphere.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for decarburization of a rotor forging. In one aspect, a location for applying a weld prep to a rotor forging is identified. The rotor forging is decarburized at the identified location of the weld prep to attain a predetermined carbon content.

Abstract: A brazing method includes the steps of providing a first part and a second part, at least a first portion of the first part is configured to fit inside a second portion of the second part, preplacing a first self-fluxing braze alloy on one or more of the first portion and second portion, preplacing a non-phosphorous braze alloy on the first self-fluxing braze alloy, preplacing another layer of the first self-fluxing braze alloy on the non-phosphorous braze alloy, thermally treating at least one of the first portion and second portion, to create a temperature differential between the first portion and second portion, inserting the first portion into the second portion, and heating at least one of the first portion and second portion to melt both layers of the first self-fluxing braze alloy and the non-phosphorous braze alloy. The first portion is joined by brazing to the second portion.

Abstract: A dual-torch welding system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the welding system includes a pair of torches positioned in an other than opposing arrangement to weld a substantially circular component therebetween, and a means for rotating the substantially circular component and the pair of torches relative to one another, allowing welding of the substantially circular component by the pair of torches.

Abstract: A treatment for prevention of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) and a treated component are disclosed. A surface of a relatively high tensile strength component is heated to a temperature at which at least one of tempering or annealing occurs. The surface is then cooled in a controlled manner so as to maintain a reduced tensile strength at the surface that minimizes SCC while keeping a relatively high tensile strength in the remainder of the component.