Abstract: A fan blade damper system includes a fan disk integrally connected to a disk post. A retainer is fastened to the disk post and is molded to retain a damper block. The top portion of the damper block is shaped to make frictional contact with the underside of the platform of a fan blade, the underside of the platform being the region of the fan blade which experiences the highest platform vibratory amplitude when the fan blade is rotated. The damper block is thus mounted in a statically determinant fashion. The rotation of the fan blade produces centrifugal forces which produce reactionary forces in the damper block and retainer such that a maximum damping force amplitude is reacted to the fan disk.

Abstract: A transducer device for an ultrasonic flaw detection system comprises a right angle rectangular block with one longitudinal edge being shaped to accurately conform to the curvature of the surface to be inspected. An ultrasonic sound wave beam in the block is reflected 90.degree. by a rotating mirror to cut a 360.degree. arc path through the surface to be inspected.

Abstract: A piston ring type seal for squeeze film dampers comprises a hollow oil filled ring structure with transverse inlet and exit orifices to control the flow of squeeze film oil past the ring.

Abstract: A cutter tool cleaning assembly comprises a pair of peripherally opposed wire brush wheels mounted on a metal cutting broach machine so that the machine cutter bar engages and passes between the wheels to cause rolling contact of the wheels with the cutter bar to dislodge metal chips.

Abstract: There is provided by the present invention a surface contouring tool useful for reaching otherwise inaccessible working surfaces such as large diameter gas turbine engine rotor inner surfaces, the invention including a machining head means extendable from a nonworking position to a working position relative to the working surface and when the machining head means is useful for EDM or ECM machining further includes a fluid flow path for providing a machining fluid to the working surface head and means for rotating the machining head means.

Abstract: An automated abrasive slurry metal finishing machine and process includes a part handler which transfers a metal part to a single spindle which inserts the part into the abrasive slurry for rotation oscillation and pendulum motion of the part in particularly agitated slurry.

Abstract: An improved shaft damper bearing utilizing spaced apart piston ring seals to seal off an annular squeeze film space between the rings, includes diagonal surface cross-section ring grooves in the bearing housing with diagonal cross-section rings in the housing grooves adapted to engage a bearing support undergoing radial motion in the housing.

Abstract: A laser apparatus is disclosed which is capable of protecting the laser slab or rod crystal within the laser from damage due to overheating when the laser malfunctions in a manner such that laser output ceases while optical pumping of the laser crystal continues. The laser apparatus includes a laser crystal situated within a laser cavity. The apparatus also includes an excitation lamp for pumping the crystal to generate a laser beam to project along a desired main path. A first sensor senses the cessation of the projection of the laser beam along the desired main path and a second sensor senses the continuing excitation of the excitation lamp. The apparatus further includes a extinguishing circuit for extinguishing the excitation lamp a predetermined amount of time after the cessation of the laser beam such that damage to the laser apparatus due to overheating is avoided.

Abstract: A method for determining the thickness of an aluminide coating deposited on a gas turbine blade using X-ray spectrometry in which the turbine blade is formed from a nickel-based, high temperature alloy. The method establishes a characteristic secondary emission curve based upon the presence of a boundary layer or a layer of nickel permeating into the aluminide coating layer during the coating process. A characteristic secondary emission curve is formed based upon secondary emission characteristic of nickel. One end of the curve is established by a count rate corresponding to secondary radiation from substantially pure nickel and a second end of the curve corresponds to a count rate representative of secondary emission from either the base material or the coating material.

Abstract: An aircraft propeller system of the unducted fan type includes a plurality of propeller blades which are respectively fastened to a rotor, rotate about an axis of rotation and also rotate about a pitch axis. Each blade is fastened to the rotor by a hinge which has a pivot axis to reduce the effective stiffness of each blade, the pivot axis being non-parallel to the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A fan case liner for a gas turbine engine includes a foreign body impact resistant area and a sound suppression area. The foreign body impact resistant area includes a face sheet of a high impact resistant material which substantially resists denting when struck by a foreign body. A first honeycombed layer of aluminum or an aluminum alloy is disposed over and attached to the face sheet. The first layer has a selected compressive strength to distribute loading forces caused by the impact of a foreign body and to resist plastic deformation. The hexagonally shaped voids in the honeycombed structure of the first layer are filled with a microballoon/resin filler material to further improve resistance to damage or denting. At least one second honeycombed layer of a aluminum or an aluminum alloy is disposed over and attached to the first honeycombed layer.

Abstract: A method for depositing material on a tip of a gas turbine engine airfoil includes the steps of: selecting a linear principal weld path across the airfoil tip relative to an airfoil contour at the tip; selecting a weld bead stitch pattern to substantially completely cover the airfoil tip with the stitch pattern crisscrossing the linear principal weld path between opposite edges of the airfoil and advancing across the airfoil in the direction of the linear principal weld path; and depositing at least a first layer of tip material corresponding to the weld bead stitch pattern and the linear principal weld path by welding.

Abstract: A single piece urethane material bolt hole crack detection probe body includes a parallel slot divided head. The head structure permits radial contraction or compression of the head in a parallel manner for axially constant diameter reduction. The structure finds use as an automatically adjustable probe for varying bolt hole sizes.

Abstract: A method for making a gas turbine engine component includes the steps of: providing an unfinished gas turbine engine component; and selectively patterning a selected surface portion of the engine component by focusing a laser beam on the selected surface portion to improve lubricant distribution between the patterned surface of the engine component and a surface of another engine component in contact with the patterned surface during engine operation.

Abstract: A method for locating and identifying defects in a variable geometry workpiece using first and second transceivers positioned of a preselected distance apart adjacent opposite surfaces of the workpiece and aligned to direct ultrasonic signals toward each other through the workpiece. An ultrasound signal is transmitted from each transceiver toward the workpiece. Signal reflections from each adjacent workpiece surface are detected and used to compute workpiece thickness. Signals from one transceiver are detected at the other transceiver and their intensity determined. The signal intensity is normalized in proportion to the obtained workpiece thickness to establish a signal intensity independent of workpiece thickness. In one form, at least three signal processing paths, each having a different preselected gain, provide three signals of different amplified intensities for each measurement point.

Abstract: Taught is an improved tip-shrouded blade and a method of manufacturing the same. In accordance with the present invention, the inventive blade comprises a blade including an airfoil having a residual compressive stress in areas thereof subject to high local stress.

Abstract: A method for inspecting a component having dimensions larger than a fan beam angle of an x-ray inspection system includes the steps of: providing an x-ray beam having a selected fan angle in a source focal point; positioning a portion of the component substantially completely within the x-ray beam; rotating the component 360 degrees around a component inspection rotational axis; collecting the attenuated x-ray beam that passes through the component during rotation; generating a multiplicity of electrical signals responsive to the collected x-ray beam; incrementally moving the component inspection rotational axis about the x-ray source focal point to position another portion of the component within the x-ray beam; and repeating the steps of rotating the part 360 degrees about a component inspection rotational axis and incrementally moving the part inspection rotational axis about the x-ray source focal point until the entire component has passed through the fan beam.

Abstract: A method for making a gas turbine engine component includes the steps of: providing an unfinished gas turbine engine component; directing a laser beam on a selected surface portion of the engine component to prepare the selected surface portion before at least one of a subsequent coating and bonding step; and depositing at least one layer of an abradable material, a subassembly of the component or a thermal barrier coating on the selected surface portion.

Abstract: A device for machining a cylindrically shaped gas turbine engine component includes a computer numerical controlled lathe and a wheel-shaped electrode for spark erosion machining of the component. The lathe includes a faceplate for mounting and rotating the component, and a gage surface is concentrically mounted relative to the component on the faceplate for in-process determination of a largest gaged radius of the wheel-shaped electrode. The radius is determined by the computer numerical control when an electronic current sensing circuit signals the computer numerical control that the electrode has contacted the gage surface. The electrode can then be positioned relative to the component, to correct for erosion of material from the electrode caused by the previous machining cycle, before a subsequent machining cycle.

Abstract: A propulsor blade for an aircraft engine includes an airfoil section formed in the shape of a scimitar. A metallic blade spar is interposed between opposed surfaces of the blade and is bonded to the surfaces to establish structural integrity of the blade. The metallic blade spar includes a root end allowing attachment of the blade to the engine.