Abstract: A method for treating a field operated component is disclosed which includes providing the component including a ceramic matrix composite and removing a first portion of the component, forming a first exposed surface on the component. The method further includes providing a second portion including the composite, the second portion having a second exposed surface including a conformation adapted to mate with the first exposed surface. The second portion is positioned in association with the component so as to replace the first portion, and the second portion and the component are joined to form a treated component. Another method is disclosed wherein the component is a turbine component which further includes removing an environmental barrier coating from the component, arranging and conforming the first exposed surface and the second exposed surface to define a joint, and applying an environmental barrier coating to the treated component.

Abstract: The present application provide a seal for use between components engine facing a high pressure cooling air flow and a hot gas path in a gas turbine. The seal may include a first shim, a second shim with an air exit hole, one or more middle layers positioned between the first shim and the second shim, and one or more cooling pathways extending through the middle layers for the high pressure cooling air flow to pass therethrough and exit via the air exit hole into the hot gas path.

Abstract: A heat shield for a rotor in a turbine engine is provided. The heat shield includes a main body having a first pair of recesses. The first pair of recesses is adapted to fit around a portion of one or more rotor blades or between two axially adjacent rotor wheels. The first pair of recesses limits axial and radial movement of the heat shield by interaction with the rotor blades or by interaction with the two axially adjacent rotor wheels. The first pair of recesses engage axially adjacent rotor blades or the axially adjacent rotor wheels. The heat shield protects the rotor from hot gas.

Abstract: Provided are a composite tool and a method for forming composite components. The composite tool includes a three dimensionally printed polymer body, the body having a geometry corresponding to at least one surface of a gas turbine component; and a coating overlaying the body, the coating providing the printed polymer body a greater resistance to heat exposure than an uncoated printed polymer body. The method for forming a composite component includes providing a composite tool; laying-up a plurality of composite plies on a surface of the composite tool; densifying the composite plies to form a composite component; and removing the composite tool from the composite component. The composite component includes a surface geometry corresponding to at least a portion of the composite tool. Also provided is a method of forming the composite tool.

Abstract: A turbine shroud assembly includes a plurality of arcuate shroud block assemblies annularly arranged to form a shroud segment. The plurality of shroud block assemblies includes a first shroud block assembly having a shroud block and a second shroud block assembly having a shroud block. The first shroud block assembly includes a seal interface member and a shroud seal. The seal interface member has a side portion that is adjacent to a radial side surface of the first shroud block. The second shroud block assembly includes a seal interface member and a shroud seal. The seal interface member has a side portion that is adjacent to a radial side surface of the second shroud block.

Abstract: A turbine blade monitoring arrangement includes a bucket tip located at a radial outer location of a bucket. Also included is at least one component disposed radially outwardly of the bucket tip. Further included is a hollow portion of the at least one component, wherein the hollow portion extends radially from a first end to a second end through the at least one component. Yet further included is a first sealing component operatively coupled to the at least one component proximate the first end of the hollow portion, wherein the first sealing component comprises a translucent material. Also included is a proximity sensor disposed radially outwardly of the at least one component and aligned with the hollow portion, the proximity sensor configured to generate a first signal through the hollow portion to the bucket tip.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for providing a turbine interstage rim seal. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for sealing a turbine rotor-bucket interface. The method can include linking a first portion of one or more rim seal segments with one or more flow path seal segments. The method includes rotating the one or more rim seal segments, upon application of centrifugal force, to displace a second portion of the one or more rim seal segments; and sealing at least a portion of a gap between a rotor and a bucket associated with a turbine with at least one or more rotated rim seal segments.

Abstract: A system includes a multi-stage turbine that includes a first turbine stage having a first wheel having a plurality of first blade segments spaced circumferentially about the first wheel. The turbine also includes a second turbine stage having a second wheel having a plurality of second blade segments spaced circumferentially about the second wheel. The turbine also includes a seal assembly extending axially between the first and second turbine stages. The seal assembly includes a first coverplate coupled to the first turbine stage. The first coverplate includes a first air director. The seal assembly also includes a second coverplate coupled to the second turbine stage. The second coverplate comprises a second air director. The seal assembly also includes an interstage seal. The first coverplate, the second coverplate, or both are configured to support the interstage seal.

Abstract: A system includes a multi-stage turbine. The multi-stage turbine includes a first turbine stage with a first wheel having a plurality of first blade segments spaced circumferentially about the first wheel, a second turbine stage with a second wheel having a plurality of second blade segments spaced circumferentially about the second wheel, and an interstage seal assembly extending axially between the first and second turbine stages. The interstage seal assembly includes a first coverplate coupled to the first turbine stage. The first coverplate includes a first seal. The interstage seal assembly also includes a second coverplate coupled to the second turbine stage. The second coverplate includes a second seal. The interstage seal assembly also includes a spacer wheel extending from a rotor shaft and configured to engage with the first coverplate and the second coverplate.

Abstract: A heat shield for a rotor in a turbine engine is provided. The heat shield includes a main body having a first pair of recesses. The first pair of recesses is adapted to fit around a portion of one or more rotor blades or between two axially adjacent rotor wheels. The first pair of recesses limits axial and radial movement of the heat shield by interaction with the rotor blades or by interaction with the two axially adjacent rotor wheels. The first pair of recesses engage axially adjacent rotor blades or the axially adjacent rotor wheels. The heat shield protects the rotor from hot gas.

Abstract: A turbine blade monitoring arrangement includes a bucket tip located at a radial outer location of a bucket. Also included is at least one component disposed radially outwardly of the bucket tip. Further included is a hollow portion of the at least one component, wherein the hollow portion extends radially from a first end to a second end through the at least one component. Yet further included is a first sealing component operatively coupled to the at least one component proximate the first end of the hollow portion, wherein the first sealing component comprises a translucent material. Also included is a proximity sensor disposed radially outwardly of the at least one component and aligned with the hollow portion, the proximity sensor configured to generate a first signal through the hollow portion to the bucket tip.

Abstract: A system includes an interstage seal system. The interstage seal system extends axially between a first rotor wheel of a first turbine stage of a multi-stage turbine and a second rotor wheel of a second turbine stage of the multi-stage turbine. The interstage seal system has an interstage seal and at least one coverplate. The interstage seal is configured to wedge axially between the at least one coverplate and the first or second rotor wheel.

Abstract: A seal plate assembly for a turbine rotor includes at least one inner shiplap seal plate disposed on the rotor; and at least one outer seal plate adapted to engage the at least one inner shiplap plate. The thickness of the at least one outer seal plate is different than the thickness of the at least one inner shiplap plate causing either the at least one inner shiplap plate or the at least one outer seal plate to come into contact first under centrifugal load.

Abstract: A seal assembly for use with a turbine having a rotor and at least one turbine blade facilitates the use of a wire seal with seal plate segments. The seal assembly includes a plurality of seal plate segments and a plurality of retainers disposed on a rotor flange on the rotor. A seal member is disposed between the retainers and the seal plate segments. The seal assembly includes at least one attachment member disposed through the rotor flange that limits radial displacement of the seal plate segments.

Abstract: A system includes a multi-stage turbine. The multi-stage turbine includes a first turbine stage including a first wheel having a plurality of first blade segments spaced circumferentially about the first wheel, a second turbine stage including a second wheel having a plurality of second blade segments spaced circumferentially about the second wheel, and an interstage seal extending axially between the first and second turbine stages. The interstage seal is configured to be installed or removed while the first and second wheels remain in place in the respective first and second turbine stages.

Abstract: A method of calculating the tip clearance during operation of a combustion turbine engine that includes the steps of: measuring a cold tip clearance and a cold shell-to-shell distance; while the combustion turbine engine is operating, measuring an operating parameter and measuring a shell-to-shell distance with a proximity sensor; calculating the tip clearance based on the cold tip clearance measurement and the operating parameter measurement; calculating the shell-to-shell distance based on the cold shell-to-shell distance measurement and the operating parameter measurement; comparing the shell-to-shell distance measurement of the proximity sensor with the shell-to-shell distance calculation; and calibrating the calculated tip clearance calculation based on the comparison.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for providing a turbine interstage rim seal. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for sealing a turbine rotor-bucket interface. The method can include linking a first portion of one or more rim seal segments with one or more flow path seal segments. The method includes rotating the one or more rim seal segments, upon application of centrifugal force, to displace a second portion of the one or more rim seal segments; and sealing at least a portion of a gap between a rotor and a bucket associated with a turbine with at least one or more rotated rim seal segments.

Abstract: A method of calculating the tip clearance during operation of a combustion turbine engine that includes the steps of: measuring a cold tip clearance and a cold shell-to-shell distance; while the combustion turbine engine is operating, measuring an operating parameter and measuring a shell-to-shell distance with a proximity sensor; calculating the tip clearance based on the cold tip clearance measurement and the operating parameter measurement; calculating the shell-to-shell distance based on the cold shell-to-shell distance measurement and the operating parameter measurement; comparing the shell-to-shell distance measurement of the proximity sensor with the shell-to-shell distance calculation; and calibrating the calculated tip clearance calculation based on the comparison.

Abstract: A seal plate assembly for use with a rotor wheel assembly of a turbine engine. The seal plate assembly may include a seal plate positioned about a rim of a rotor wheel. The seal plate may include a number of seal plate segments and a number of locking pins extending through the seal plate segments and into the rim of the rotor wheel.

Abstract: A seal plate assembly for use with a rotor wheel assembly of a turbine engine. The seal plate assembly may include a seal plate positioned about a rim of a rotor wheel. The seal plate may include a number of seal plate segments and a number of locking pins extending through the seal plate segments and into the rim of the rotor wheel.