Abstract: An improved type of cooled component is disclosed. The cooled components, such as turbine airfoils and combustors, have a base metal structural member, including a metal sheet or blank, with a featured surface. The features, such as fins, pins, and other protrusions, as well as divots, indentions, slots, channels, and holes, are formed by lithographic processes. The protrusions can be formed from a different material than the metal sheet or blank, preferably one with superior heat-conductive or oxidation properties. A related method of manufacturing is also disclosed.

Abstract: Bonded assemblies and methods for improving the bond strength of a joint are provided. The joint may be formed between bonding surfaces of a first and a second component. The first component has a bonding surface adapted to be bonded to a bonding surface of a second component. A plurality of features may be formed in at least one of the bonding surfaces. The bonding surfaces are bonded together to form the joint. A bonding material layer between the bonding surfaces may form the joint or the first and second components may be co-cured to form the joint. A chemical and mechanical bond between the bonding surfaces is formed with the plurality of features forming the mechanical bond and increasing the bond area of the chemical bond. The features may be openings and/or protrusions such as holes, slots, and bosses.

Abstract: An improved type of cooled component is disclosed. The cooled components, such as turbine airfoils and combustors, have a base metal structural member, including a metal sheet or blank, with a featured surface. The features, such as fins, pins, and other protrusions, as well as divots, indentions, slots, channels, and holes, are formed by lithographic processes. The protrusions can be formed from a different material than the metal sheet or blank, preferably one with superior heat-conductive or oxidation properties. A related method of manufacturing is also disclosed.

Abstract: The mounting of low expansion full ring shrouds in a turbine engine requires radial compliance to limit the stresses experienced by the shroud due to thermal growth differences between the shroud and its support. The present invention provides a method of providing radial compliance with no looseness in the mounting system. The compliant mounting system of the present invention also allows for axial motion of the shroud, should such motion be needed or desired. The lack of looseness in the shroud mounting system of the present invention results in an ability to achieve smaller tip clearances and thus better engine performance.

Abstract: Cooling air to the blades and disks of a gas turbine may be modulated to provide a variable turbine cooling flow. A bellows may be extended by providing a high pressure compressor discharge flow to an interior of the bellows. The bellows may be compressed when the interior of the bellows communicates with ambient pressure air. The extension/compression of the bellows moves an arm over orifices in a cooling air flow path. The pressure inside of the bellows is metered to move the arm over at least one orifice, thereby restricting cooling air flow when the engine is running at low power. The pressure inside of the bellows is metered to move the arm to uncover all of the slots to provide maximum cooling flow when the engine is running at high power. The resulting variable cooling flow system results in less need for cooling air at low powers, thus reducing engine fuel consumption.

Abstract: A finger seal for use between a housing and a combustor liner to inhibit air passage therebetween. The finger seal has at least two annular diaphragm members partitioned into a generally continuous inner diameter portion and a segmented outer diameter portion. The segments are finger elements spaced uniformly apart forming gaps therebetween and extend radially outward terminating in a foot portion. A keyhole is formed at the terminus end of the gaps to reduce fatigue and stress of the finger elements. The diaphragm members are laminated together, oriented such that adjacent fingers of one laminate block the gaps of the other, and inserted between a pair of spacers and endplates to be attached at their inner diameter portion. The finger seal is attached circumferentially around the housing and assembled into the combustor liner with the foot portion sealing against the combustor liner interior wall.