Abstract: An integrated, self-powered, sensing and transmitting module (300) that can be placed within an operating environment, such as by being affixed to a gas turbine engine component, in order to sense the local operating environment and to deliver real-time operating environment data to a location outside of the environment. Such a module may integrate a power element (302); a sensing element 9304); and a transmitting element (308) on a single substrate (320) within a single housing (310). Both sensors and circuitry components are formed directly on or in the substrate in novel configurations to decrease the size and weight of the module.

Abstract: A system of layers in a protective coating (20) for a substrate (22), including at least an outer thermal barrier layer (32) and a tungsten bronze structure ceramic underlayer (30) that reduces spalling of the outer layer. The range of materials for the underlayer includes ceramics of the form Ba6?3mRe8+2mTi18O54, where 0<m<1.5, and Re is any rare earth element or mixture thereof. These underlayer materials reduce spalling of the thermal barrier layer, and thus extend the life of the coating system. In some embodiments, materials for the outer thermal barrier layer may include Yttria-stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) or ceramics with lower thermal conductivity than YSZ. A segmented YSZ layer (26) is provided in some embodiments for additional thermal expansion compliance.

Abstract: A gas turbine component (49) may be instrumented to provide a plurality of signals indicative of thermal measurements in a high temperature combustion environment of the gas turbine. A thermocouple arrangement may include a first thermocouple leg (50) disposed within a thickness of the component. At least two or more thermocouple legs (52, 53, 54) is each electrically connected to the first leg to form individual thermocouple junctions (56, 57, 58, 59) along the first leg for conversion of respective thermal gradients to respective electrical signals, such as electromotive force (emf) based voltages. The thermocouple arrangement may be used in combination with a thermographic system (70) to calculate heat flux over a region of the turbine component.

Abstract: In a telemetry system for use in an engine, a circuit structure (34) affixed to a moving part (20) of the engine is disposed for amplifying information sensed about a condition of the part and transmitting the sensed information to a receiver external to the engine. The circuit structure is adapted for the high temperature environment of the engine and includes a differential amplifier (102, 111) having an input for receiving a signal from a sensor (101, 110) disposed on the part. A voltage controlled oscillator (104, 115) with an input coupled to the output of the amplifier produces an oscillatory signal having a frequency representative of the sensed condition. A buffer (105, 116) with an input coupled to the output of the oscillator buffers the oscillatory signal, which is then coupled to an antenna (26) for transmitting the information to the receiver.

Abstract: A composition and method for cleaning turbine engine components (10) during servicing. An embodiment of the invention includes a colloidal mixture or slurry (22) of nanoparticles. The slurry may be nontoxic and provide optimal cleaning of tiny surface-exposed crevices (18) of braze joints and components. When a colloidal mixture is in a polar solvent, the pH of the slurry is maintained at about 5 to 9 and at the isoelectric point of the nanoparticles to minimize or prevent agglomeration. When a colloidal mixture is in a nonpolar solvent, the pH of the slurry is maintained at about 5 to 9 and at the isoelectric point of the nanoparticles to minimize or prevent agglomeration by use of surfactant additives.

Abstract: A bracket assembly is used to mount a wireless telemetry component proximate a rotating component of a combustion turbine engine (10), wherein the wireless telemetry component includes an RF transparent ceramic cover (128). The bracket assembly comprises a first mounting bracket (125) on a surface proximate the rotating component that includes a first (138) and second (139) bracket member spaced apart from one another. The first (138) and second (139) bracket members are disposed generally perpendicular to a direction of centrifugal forces generated by the rotating component. At least one of the first (138) or second bracket (139) members is inclined toward the other bracket member and disposed at an acute angle relative to the surface (141) proximate the rotating component.

Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture for online crowd-sourcing and for communicating with a requester and with several of workers, the system includes a central controller that communicates with each requester via an interface, to receive the task(s) to be performed and to provide a response for that task(s), and with each worker via an interface, to deliver task assignments and to receive responses, the central controller further including a task assignment system that is structured and arranged to insert tasks to be performed into a priority queue multiple times and to push a next task in the priority queue to a selected worker based on information about the selected worker; and a data storage device for storing information about workers that includes a worker identification, a worker skill level, a worker accuracy rating, a list of historical tasks performed by the worker, and a list of historical tasks that the worker has not performed.

Abstract: A method for repairing a damaged portion (144) of a brazed-on gas turbine engine seal (142) without the need to remove and to replace the entire seal. The damaged portion is removed to reveal a repair surface (146) of the underlying superalloy material, and a new seal structure (148) is formed by an additive manufacturing processes using a laser beam (124) to melt a powder (116) including superalloy material (116?) and flux material (116?). The flux material forms a protective layer of slag (132) over the melted superalloy material, thereby permitting the new seal structure to be formed directly onto the underlying superalloy material without the need for an intervening braze layer.

Abstract: A component including a surface subject to wear by an electrically conductive wear counterface (50). The component comprises a substrate (10); one or more material layers (32) overlying the substrate (10); a wear surface layer (16) overlying the one or more material layers (32); a first pair of spaced apart and electrically open wear sensor conductors (12/14) disposed in the substrate (10), in the one or more material layers (32), or in the wear surface layer (16); a first wear warning electrical circuit (68/69/70/74) for communicating with the first pair of conductors (12/14) for providing a first wear warning; and wherein when the wear counterface (50) has worn overlying layers, the wear counterface (50) interconnects the first pair of conductors (12/14) to activate the first wear warning circuit (68/69/70/74).

Abstract: A metallic bondcoat with phases of ? and ?? is provided. The metallic coating or alloy is nickel based. The metallic coating or alloy has ? and ?? phases and optionally has ?-phase. The new addition in nickel based coating stabilizes the phases ? and ?? at high temperatures leading to a reduction of local stresses.

Abstract: A metallic coating or alloy is provided, which is nickel based, and includes at least ? and ?? phases. The metallic coating or the alloy further includes tantalum (Ta) in the range of between 4 wt % to 7.5 wt %. The metallic coating or the alloy also includes cobalt (Co) in the range between 11 wt %-14.5 wt %.

Abstract: A thermally protective coating (21), such as may be used over a nickel-based superalloy substrate (24). The protective coating (21) includes a CoNiCrAlY or a NiCoCrAlY material and addition of given amounts of one or more secondary elements. The secondary element(s) facilitate and/or join in one or more precipitation mechanisms (??, B2) that retain an aluminum reservoir in the protective coating (21), reducing aluminum diffusion into the substrate (24). This aluminum reservoir maintains a protective alumina scale (38) on the coating (21), thus improving coating life and allowing higher operating temperatures.

Abstract: A telemetry system for use in a combustion turbine engine (10) having a compressor (12), a combustor and a turbine (16) and includes a sensor (118) in connection with a turbine blade (111) or vane (23). A transmitter assembly (117) includes a telemetry transmitter circuit/transceiver may be affixed on a turbine blade (111) or seal plate (115) proximate the turbine blade with a first connecting material (119) deposited on the turbine blade (111) for routing electronic data signals, indicative of a condition of the turbine blade (111), from the sensor (118) to the telemetry transmitter circuit/transceiver. An induction power system for powering the telemetry transmitter circuit/transceiver may include a rotating data antenna (116) affixed to the seal plate (115) with an electrical connection (122) between the telemetry transmitting circuit/transceiver for routing electronic data signals from the telemetry transmitter circuit/transceiver to the rotating data antenna (119).

Abstract: A circuit assembly (34) resistant to high-temperature and high g centrifugal force is disclosed. A printed circuit board (42) is first fabricated from alumina and has conductive traces of said circuit formed thereon by the use of a thick film gold paste. Active and passive components of the circuit assembly are attached to the printed circuit board by means of gold powder diffused under high temperature. Gold wire is used for bonding between the circuit traces and the active components in order to complete the circuit assembly (34). Also, a method for manufacturing a circuit assembly resistant to elevated temperature is disclosed.

Abstract: A metallic coating or alloy is provided. The metallic coating includes iron, cobalt, chromium, and aluminum. Tantalum may also be included. A new addition in nickel based coating with stabilized gamma/gamma? phases at high temperatures lead to a reduction of local stresses. A component including the metallic coating or alloy is also provided.

Abstract: A telemetry system for use in a combustion turbine engine (10) having a compressor (12), a combustor and a turbine (16) that includes a sensor (50, 74) in connection with a turbine blade (18) or vane (22). A telemetry transmitter circuit (210) may be affixed to the turbine blade (18) with a first connecting material (52, 152) deposited on the turbine blade (18) for routing electronic data signals from the sensor (50, 74) to the telemetry transmitter circuit (210), the electronic data signals indicative of a condition of the turbine blade (18). An induction power system for powering the telemetry transmitter circuit (210) may include a rotating data antenna (202) affixed to the turbine blade (18) with a second connecting material (140) deposited on the turbine blade (18) for routing electronic data signals from the telemetry transmitter circuit (210) to the rotating data antenna (202).

Abstract: A system of layers in a protective coating (20) for a substrate (22), including at least an outer thermal barrier layer (32) and a tungsten bronze structure ceramic underlayer (30) that reduces spalling of the outer layer. The range of materials for the underlayer includes ceramics of the form Ba6?3mRe8+2mTi18O54, where 0<m<1.5, and Re is any rare earth element or mixture thereof. These underlayer materials reduce spalling of the thermal barrier layer, and thus extend the life of the coating system. In some embodiments, materials for the outer thermal barrier layer may include Yttria-stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) or ceramics with lower thermal conductivity than YSZ. A segmented YSZ layer (26) is provided in some embodiments for additional thermal expansion compliance.

Abstract: A circuit assembly (34) resistant to high-temperature and high g centrifugal force is disclosed. A printed circuit board (42) is first fabricated from alumina and has conductive traces of said circuit formed thereon by the use of a thick film gold paste. Active and passive components of the circuit assembly are attached to the printed circuit board by means of gold powder diffused under high temperature. Gold wire is used for bonding between the circuit traces and the active components in order to complete the circuit assembly (34). Also, a method for manufacturing a circuit assembly resistant to elevated temperature is disclosed.

Abstract: A metallic coating is provided. The nickel based metallic coating includes tantalum, cobalt, chromium, and aluminum. The nickel based metallic coating does not include silicon and/or hafnium and/or zirconium. A tantalum addition in nickel based coating stabilized the phases gamma/gamma1 at high temperatures leading to a reduction of local stresses.

Abstract: A tungsten bronze structured ceramic material as a thermal barrier coating is described wherein the tungsten bronze structured ceramic coating material has the formula AO—BvOw—CyOz where O stands for Oxygen, A stands for a 2+ or a 1+ cation, B stands for a 2+ or 3+ cation and C stands for a 4+ or a 5+ cation. The thermal barrier coating may be applied for gas turbine components.