Abstract: A locking wedge system for securing a stator coil in a slot of a stator core includes a slot layer positioned on the stator coil to inhibit movement of the stator coil within the slot, an outer wedge including a first tapered surface, an inner locking wedge positioned on the slot layer, the inner locking wedge including a second tapered face that interfaces with the first tapered face, a locking member configured to lock the inner locking wedge to the stator core, and an interlocking mechanism to couple the outer wedge to the inner locking wedge.

Abstract: A device to extract a support yoke from a reheat stop valve of a steam turbine is provided. The device includes a hydraulic cylinder for applying a pushing force to the support yoke, an attachment weldment for attaching the hydraulic cylinder to the reheat stop valve casing, and a conical cylinder coupled to the hydraulic cylinder and configured to evenly impart the pushing force to the support yoke from within the reheat stop valve in order to separate the reheat stop valve from the support yoke. A method to extract a support yoke from a reheat stop valve of a steam turbine is also provided.

Abstract: A support housing for use in distributing fuel in a gas turbine engine includes a main body defining an inlet aperture, a plurality of outlet apertures, and a substantially planar mounting surface. A first fuel channel has a wall that defines a first flow space and a support member extends across the first flow space and has a long axis oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the mounting surface.

Abstract: A process of welding a superalloy is provided. The process includes applying a first amount of energy to a substrate comprised of the superalloy to form a melt pool along a length of the substrate and in a weld direction. The process also comprises advancing the melt pool in the weld direction along the length via the first amount of energy, the melt pool having a width transverse to the weld direction. Further, the process includes applying a second amount of energy to the substrate that extends outside the width of the melt pool at a trailing edge of the melt pool, which second amount of energy causes, relative to a process without application of the second amount of energy: broadening of the width of the melt pool at the trailing edge of the melt pool as the melt pool advances in the weld direction; and reducing segregation of artifacts and stress concentration along a centerline of the width.

Abstract: A generator stator end winding coil support assembly is presented. The assembly includes a bracket rigidly secured to a core flange plate and a brace clamped between a backup plate and the bracket by studs. The brace connects to an inner support ring. An elastic layer is disposed around the brace. Sleeves are disposed in apertures of the brace and enclose the studs. The sleeves set up a gap at interfaces between the brace and the bracket and between the brace and the backup plate that defines a compression of the elastic layer. The compression enables the brace to be movable relative to the bracket rigidly secured to the core flange plate for flexibly supporting the end winding coils. Flexibility and stiffness of the support is controllable by adjusting clamping force of the studs and selection of the elastic layer based on load conditions during operation.

Abstract: An actuator operable to move a valve stem between an opened position and a closed position includes a cylinder including an open side and a close side, the cylinder coupled to the valve stem, a first pump connected to the cylinder and operable to deliver a first high-pressure fluid to the open side of the cylinder to move the valve stem toward the opened position, and a second pump separate from the first pump, the second pump connected to the cylinder and operable to deliver a second high-pressure fluid to the close side of the cylinder to move the valve stem toward the closed position.

Abstract: A generator seal assembly for preventing leakage of coolant in a generator is presented. The seal assembly includes a coolant side seal ring having a plurality of coolant side seal ring segments. The coolant side seal ring segment includes a seal fluid channel and radial holes circumferentially distributed along the seal fluid channel from leading edge to trailing edge through which seal fluid enters the seal fluid channel. Additional radial holes are circumferentially distributed along the seal fluid channel in a region near leading edge. Additional seal fluid enters the seal fluid channel in the region near leading edge through the additional radial holes such that pressure of seal fluid in the region is increased higher than pressure of the coolant to prevent leakage of the coolant in the region near leading edge due to ration of generator shaft.

Abstract: A method of additive manufacturing a component. The method includes selecting powder characterization, depositing powder materials, inspecting the powder materials, selecting process and laser parameters for laser processing, laser processing the powder materials, performing layer cleanup, determining stress state and relieving, additionally inspecting the laser processed powder materials, and repeating steps until a buildup of the component is complete.

Abstract: Boron and silicon free braze alloys are useful for structural repair of superalloy gas turbine engine components. The braze alloy compositions include nickel, chromium, titanium, and at least one of zirconium and hafnium. All of the above elements are metallic and form ductile bonds within and across the braze interface when compared to non-metallic bonds of boron and silicon.

Abstract: A filler feed wire (20) including both a laser conductive element (26) and a filler material (22) extending along a length of the wire. Laser energy (30) can be directed into a proximal end (32) of the laser conductive element for melting a distal end (34) of the feed wire to form a melt pool (24) for additive fabrication or repair. The laser conductive element may serve as a flux material. In this manner, laser energy is delivered precisely to the distal end of the feed wire, eliminating the need to separately coordinate laser beam motion with feed wire motion.

Abstract: A cooled turbine component in a turbine engine is provided. The cooled turbine component includes a brazed in heat transfer feature, the brazed in heat transfer feature including a thin film including a heat transfer feature incorporated into a surface of the film. The thin film is capable of conforming to a surface of the cooled turbine component and is attached to the surface of the cooled turbine component via a braze material. A method for cooling a turbine component in a turbine engine is also provided.

Abstract: An automated method for restoring an end surface of a cylindrical component of a turbine engine by cutting a profile into the end surface is provided. A base of a cutting device is installed against an inner diameter of the cylindrical component. The base is the aligned to the end surface. A cutting head of the cutting device is positioned to a desired position to enable the cutting. A motor of the cutting device is activated to rotate the cutting head about a central axis of the cylindrical component to cut the end surface of the cylindrical component. A profile of the end surface is created by the cutting of the end surface via the motor. Upon activation of the motor, the cutting device is guided along a circumferential direction against the end surface. A system for cutting a profile into a surface of a cylindrical component is also provided.

Abstract: A masking system for a turbine including a first quantity of blades attached to a rotor and arranged adjacent one another to define a blade row with each blade including a blade root, includes a second quantity of center plates. Each center plate is disposed between two adjacent blades and includes a resilient member in contact with each of the two adjacent blades, and a first attachment member operable to attach the center plate to the rotor. The system includes a third quantity of side covers, each side cover positioned adjacent the blade root of one of the blades and connected to one of the center plates, each side cover including a resilient member positioned to surround a portion of the adjacent blade root, and a second attachment member operable to attach the side cover to the rotor.

Abstract: A turbine blade includes a platform with an internal cavity formed therein and an airfoil extending radially from the platform. The turbine blade includes a first portion made from ceramic matrix composite materials and a second portion made from superalloy materials. The first and second portions are selectively connected to each other via a spur and include an internal cooling circuit extending across both the first and second portions for circulating coolant therethrough. At least one supply passage extends between the internal cooling circuit and the internal platform cavity and includes an array of pin fins and turbulators for diverting coolant to the internal platform cavity.

Abstract: A method of repairing an airfoil is provided. The method includes providing an airfoil with a damaged section and removing the damaged section by machining or cutting an upper section of the airfoil. A replacement section is configured to mate with an upper surface of the airfoil. A presintered preform is provided to join the airfoil and the replacement sections through a resistance brazing process. The presintered preform is configured to mate with the upper surface of the airfoil and a lower surface of the replacement section and inserted between this upper surface and lower surface, creating a stacked airfoil comprising three mated sections in abutting contact. The stacked airfoil is resistance brazed such that only the braze material of the presintered preform melts and the upper surface of the airfoil and the lower surface of the replacement section remain below the grain boundary temperature of the material of the airfoil.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for welding workpiece have heat sensitive material are proposed. The heat sensitive material includes austenitic manganese steel, also referred to as Hadfield manganese steel. The process reciprocates filler metal in and out of weld pool. The motion of the filler metal may be synchronized with waveform of power source. Welding parameters are adjusted such that weld may be performed on the workpiece without cracking the heat sensitive material. The process allows Hadfield manganese steel to be welded to generator components in power generation applications. The process provides reliable and repeatable welding quality.

Abstract: A connector assembly (12) for electrically and mechanically connecting via bolting, the top and bottom stator coil sections (14, 16) of an electrical generator comprising at least one pair of stator coil sections (14, 16) having spaced apart upper coil headers (18, 20) and lower coil headers (22, 24), each comprising a conductive material to provide at least two parallel paths for passing respective flows of electric current; first and second connectors (26, 28) including respective couplers (36, 38, 40, 42) for connecting the headers (18, 20, 22, 24), wherein the first and second connectors (26, 28) are electrically and mechanically isolated from one another via an air gap (34) therebetween so that none of the couplers (36, 38, 40, 42) bridge the air gap (34) and thereby allow relative movement between the first and second connectors (26, 28).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a substrate (16) with a ceramic thermal barrier coating (28, 32). The interface between layers of the coating contains an engineered surface roughness (12, 24) to enhance the mechanical integrity of the bond there between. The surface roughness is formed in a surface of a mold (10,20) and is infused by a subsequently cast layer of material (16, 28). The substrate may be partially sintered (76) prior to application of the coating layer(s) and the coated substrate and coating layer(s) may be co-sintered to form a fully coherent strain-free interlayer.

Abstract: A pump system includes a centrifugal pump having an impeller, a first inlet arranged to receive a first flow of liquid, a second inlet arranged to receive a flow of gas at a first pressure, the gas being soluble in the liquid, and an outlet arranged to discharge a second flow of liquid that contains the flow of gas solubilized therein. An injection pump has an inlet arranged to receive the second flow of liquid. The injection pump is operable to increase the pressure of the second flow of liquid to produce a high-pressure flow of liquid, and includes a discharge arranged to discharge the high-pressure flow of liquid.