Abstract: A system and method are provided including an inclusion module to receive a powder sample from a powder source; a computed tomography equipment; a memory for storing program instructions; an inclusion processor, coupled to the memory, and in communication with the inclusion module, and operative to execute program instructions to: receive the powder sample; execute a computed tomography (CT) scan process of the received sample to generate a first dataset including one or more images; identify inclusions in the one or more images, via a segmentation process; reconstruct, via a reconstruction process, the identified inclusion into a 3D representation; measure the identified inclusion; mark the inclusions on one or more image slices from the 3D representations; and determine whether the powder source is contaminated based on the one or more marked images. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A system and method are provided including an inclusion module to receive a powder sample from a powder source; a computed tomography equipment; a memory for storing program instructions; an inclusion processor, coupled to the memory, and in communication with the inclusion module, and operative to execute program instructions to: receive the powder sample; execute a computed tomography (CT) scan process of the received sample to generate a first dataset including one or more images; identify inclusions in the one or more images, via a segmentation process; reconstruct, via a reconstruction process, the identified inclusion into a 3D representation; measure the identified inclusion; mark the inclusions on one or more image slices from the 3D representations; and determine whether the powder source is contaminated based on the one or more marked images. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A turbine blisk is provided. The turbine blisk includes an inner rim, a plurality of adjacent rotor blades extending radially outward from said inner rim, a shroud segment integrally coupled to each of the plurality of adjacent rotor blades, thereby forming a plurality of adjacent shroud segments, and a gap defined between each of the adjacent shroud segments. The gap has a geometry that facilitates interlocking the plurality of adjacent shroud segments when a torsional force is applied to the plurality of adjacent rotor blades.

Abstract: A turbine blisk is provided. The turbine blisk includes an inner rim, a plurality of adjacent rotor blades extending radially outward from said inner rim, a shroud segment integrally coupled to each of the plurality of adjacent rotor blades, thereby forming a plurality of adjacent shroud segments, and a gap defined between each of the adjacent shroud segments. The gap has a geometry that facilitates interlocking the plurality of adjacent shroud segments when a torsional force is applied to the plurality of adjacent rotor blades.

Abstract: Shrouded turbine blisks and methods of manufacturing same are provided. A shrouded turbine blisk includes a central disk portion including an axis of rotation, an inner rim, a plurality of airfoils that extends radially outwardly from the inner rim; and a shroud integrally coupled to each of the plurality of airfoils. The shroud includes a plurality of circumferentially-arranged arcuate shroud segments defined at least in part by gaps positioned between adjacent shroud segments. The central disk portion, the inner rim, the plurality of airfoils, and the shroud are defined from a single billet of blisk material.