Abstract: A system for adaptively machining a shroud of a blade used in a turbomachine is provided. The system may include a computer system including a module(s) configured to: extract geometric location data from a 3D model of the shroud after use in the turbomachine, the 3D model created by digitizing using a digitizing device. The geometric location data includes geometric location data of a hard face plane of the shroud exposed to wear during turbomachine operation and of a non-worn surface adjacent to the hard face plane substantially unexposed to wear during turbomachine operation. Comparing the geometric location data of the non-worn surface from the three-dimensional model to a manufacturing model of the blade determines a change in position of the non-worn surface from use of the blade in the turbomachine. The change in position is used to modify a machining instruction used by a machining device to repair the hard face plane.

Abstract: Methods for monitoring a components include locating a plurality of machined surface features on the component, locating at least one reference point, and measuring a plurality of first distances between the plurality of machined surface features and the at least one reference point.

Abstract: Components can comprise a substrate, an embedded strain sensor comprising at least two reference points disposed on the substrate, and an outer coating disposed over at least a portion of the embedded strain sensor.

Abstract: A turbine engine system includes a component positioned such that the component is subject to wear. The component includes an outer surface configured to be subjected to wear and a wear indication feature formed in the outer surface. The wear indication feature includes a first dimension at the outer surface and a second dimension at an inward location relative to the outer surface. The second dimension is different from the first dimension.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a component is provided. The system includes a plurality of fiducial markers, an optical scanner for analyzing the fiducial markers, and a processor. The plurality of fiducial markers may be on an exterior surface of the component. The processor may be in operable communication with the optical scanner and operable for measuring the fiducial markers along an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis to obtain an X-axis data point set, a Y-axis data point set, and a Z-axis data point set. The X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis are mutually orthogonal. Methods of using the system are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a turbine blade tip shroud includes a frame comprising a top surface and a bottom surface that is alignable with the turbine blade tip shroud, and, at least one z-notch inspection slot that passes through the frame from the top surface to the bottom surface and is positioned to align with at least one z-notch of the turbine blade tip shroud when the frame is aligned on the turbine blade tip shroud.

Abstract: A system for adaptively machining a shroud of a blade used in a turbomachine is provided. The system may include a computer system including a module(s) configured to: extract geometric location data from a 3D model of the shroud after use in the turbomachine, the 3D model created by digitizing using a digitizing device. The geometric location data includes geometric location data of a hard face plane of the shroud exposed to wear during turbomachine operation and of a non-worn surface adjacent to the hard face plane substantially unexposed to wear during turbomachine operation. Comparing the geometric location data of the non-worn surface from the three-dimensional model to a manufacturing model of the blade determines a change in position of the non-worn surface from use of the blade in the turbomachine. The change in position is used to modify a machining instruction used by a machining device to repair the hard face plane.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a fixture for an airfoil shroud having a first end edge, a second end edge, a leading edge, a trailing edge, a radially outer side and a radially inner side with respect to a rotor axis of a bucket having the airfoil shroud is provided. The fixture includes a base plate, a first member extending from the base plate configured to locate and abut the first end edge, a second member extending from the base plate configured to locate and abut a side of a seal rail, a third member extending from the base plate configured to locate and abut the radially outer side of the airfoil shroud and a template recess formed in the base plate proximate the first end edge to define a geometry of a relief cut in the trailing edge of the airfoil shroud.

Abstract: A system and method for virtually inspecting contact gaps of a blade stage of a turbomachine is disclosed. The system may include a digitizing device for obtaining a three-dimensional model of a shroud of each blade of the blade stage. A computer system may include at least one module configured to perform the following steps: extracting a geometric location data of a hard place plane of each shroud from the three-dimensional model; generating a three-dimensional virtual rendering of the shrouds of the blade stage based on the geometric location data and the known dimensions of the blade stage, the three-dimensional virtual rendering including a rendering of contact gaps between adjacent shrouds; and inspecting the blade stage using the three-dimensional virtual rendering.

Abstract: Braze methods include providing a substrate comprising a pre-sintered preform disposed thereon, wherein the pre-sintered preform comprises a mixture comprising a base alloy comprising about 30 weight percent to about 90 weight percent of the mixture and a second alloy comprising a sufficient amount of melting point depressant to have a lower melting temperature than the base alloy. Braze methods further include at least partially covering the pre-sintered preform with a heat resistant material, wherein a melt temperature of the heat resistant material is higher than a melt temperature of the pre-sintered preform, and heating the pre-sintered preform on the substrate.

Abstract: Braze methods include providing a substrate comprising a pre-sintered preform disposed thereon, wherein the pre-sintered preform comprises a mixture comprising a base alloy comprising about 30 weight percent to about 90 weight percent of the mixture and a second alloy comprising a sufficient amount of melting point depressant to have a lower melting temperature than the base alloy. Braze methods further include at least partially covering the pre-sintered preform with a heat resistant material, wherein a melt temperature of the heat resistant material is higher than a melt temperature of the pre-sintered preform, and heating the pre-sintered preform on the substrate.

Abstract: Braze methods for turbine buckets include providing the turbine bucket comprising a modification surface, wherein the modification surface comprises a non-z-notch contact surface, disposing a pre-sintered preform on the modification surface and, heating the pre-sintered preform on the modification surface to bond the pre-sintered preform to the turbine bucket at the modification surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a turbine blade tip shroud includes a frame comprising a top surface and a bottom surface that is alignable with the turbine blade tip shroud, and, at least one z-notch inspection slot that passes through the frame from the top surface to the bottom surface and is positioned to align with at least one z-notch of the turbine blade tip shroud when the frame is aligned on the turbine blade tip shroud.

Abstract: A system may include at least one computer device configured to attain a two-dimensional used profile of a leading edge at a specified radial position on a turbomachine airfoil after use. The system aligns opposing substantially straight alignment portions of the two-dimensional used profile with opposing substantially straight alignment portions of a previously attained, two-dimensional, baseline profile of the turbomachine airfoil. The alignment portions of each profile are in substantially identical radial locations of the turbomachine airfoil. Comparing the used profile to the baseline profile determines whether the leading edge at the specified radial position of the used turbomachine airfoil has erosion. The system may also include a laser profiler for measuring the turbomachine airfoil.

Abstract: Extendable moment weight tools include an extendable base adapted to extend between at least a first distance and a second distance, wherein the extendable base supports a pair of weight scales at the first distance and the second distance, and, a first platform having an upper side provided with a pair of transverse component-supporting posts, and a lower side provided with a pair of transverse foot rails adapted to engage the respective pair of weight scales.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a fixture for an airfoil shroud having a first end edge, a second end edge, a leading edge, a trailing edge, a radially outer side and a radially inner side with respect to a rotor axis of a bucket having the airfoil shroud is provided. The fixture includes a base plate, a first member extending from the base plate configured to locate and abut the first end edge, a second member extending from the base plate configured to locate and abut a side of a seal rail, a third member extending from the base plate configured to locate and abut the radially outer side of the airfoil shroud and a template recess formed in the base plate proximate the first end edge to define a geometry of a relief cut in the trailing edge of the airfoil shroud.