Abstract: Various embodiments of the disclosure include an alignment apparatus for assembly alignment and load sharing. The alignment apparatus may include: an alignment pin including a first end and an opposing, second end, wherein the first end is configured to couple with a first hole in a first turbine nozzle diaphragm and the second end is configured to couple with a second hole in a second, adjacent turbine nozzle diaphragm. Embodiments of the disclosure may also include a turbine and a combined-cycle power plant. The turbine may include: a first nozzle diaphragm; and a second, adjacent nozzle diaphragm, wherein the first diaphragm is directly coupled to the second diaphragm. The combined-cycle power plant may include: a steam turbine; a gas turbine; a first nozzle diaphragm within the gas turbine; a second, adjacent nozzle diaphragm within the gas turbine; and an alignment pin coupling the first diaphragm directly to the second diaphragm.

Abstract: Platform cooling arrangements in a turbine rotor blade include a feedhole that extends from the suction side slash face to the interior cooling passage, and, one or more branch holes that each extends from the feedhole to the suction side slash face such that coolant flows from the interior cooling passage, through the feedhole to the one or more branch holes and exits the platform along the suction side slash face.

Abstract: A coupon for repairing a part is disclosed. The coupon includes an outwardly threaded body configured to mate with an inwardly threaded opening in a damaged area of the part. The part and/or coupon may include a superalloy. The threaded arrangement converts tensile stresses into shear stresses that allow the repair to exhibit material characteristics as good as or better than the superalloy. A method of using the coupon to repair a part using brazing, and a turbomachine part using the coupon, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A flow mixing lobe for an exhaust diffuser includes a first flange member having a first leading end, a first trailing end, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween. A second flange member includes a second leading end, a second trailing end, and an intermediate section extending therebetween. A first leg portion includes a first end extending from the first flange member, and a second end. A second leg portion has a first end portion extending from the second flange member, and a second end portion. A wing member is arranged between the first and second leg portions at respective ones of the second end and second end portions. The wing member includes a flow conditioning surface having a non-linear profile extending between the second end and the second end portion.

Abstract: An air bypass system for a gas turbine engine includes a nozzle for a gas turbine engine. The air bypass system includes the nozzle having an inner band, an outer band, and an airfoil extending between the inner band and the outer band. The airfoil defines an internal passage. A diaphragm includes an inner wall, a first rail, and a second rail, which collectively define a diaphragm cavity. The first rail defines a first rail aperture. A manifold is positioned in the diaphragm cavity. The manifold and the diaphragm collectively define a manifold chamber in fluid communication with the first rail aperture. A tube extends through the internal passage defined by the airfoil and into the diaphragm cavity. The tube is in fluid communication with the manifold chamber. Compressed air flows through the tube into the manifold chamber and exits the chamber through the first rail aperture.

Abstract: Various embodiments include gas turbine seals and methods of forming such seals. In some cases, a turbine includes: a first arc segment adjacent to a second arc segment, each arc segment including an end surface and radially facing surfaces extending from opposite ends of the end surface; a slot located between the end surfaces of the first arc segment and the second arc segment; and a first seal disposed in the slot, the first seal contacting the first arc segment at the end surface and extending over the radially facing surfaces of the first arc segment, the first seal including: a shim contacting the first arc segment; a laminate material over the shim and covering the shim; and a conforming material coupling the laminate material to the shim.

Abstract: A component includes a substrate configured to receive tensile stress in a first direction. The substrate includes a recess defined therein on a surface. The recess includes a first portion having a first width defined in a second direction. The recess also includes a second portion having a second width defined substantially parallel to the second direction, and a third portion between the first and second portions along the first direction. The third portion having a third width defined substantially parallel to the second direction such that each of the first width and the second width is different than the third width. The component further includes an insert coupled to the substrate. A perimeter of the insert is sized substantially identically to a perimeter of the recess such that the insert is received within the recess in a clearance fit.

Abstract: Various embodiments include gas turbine seals and methods of forming such seals. In some cases, a turbine includes: a first arc segment adjacent to a second arc segment, each arc segment including an end surface and radially facing surfaces extending from opposite ends of the end surface; a slot located between the end surfaces of the first arc segment and the second arc segment; and a first seal disposed in the slot, the first seal contacting the first arc segment at the end surface and extending over the radially facing surfaces of the first arc segment, the first seal including: a shim contacting the first arc segment; a laminate material over the shim and covering the shim; and a conforming material coupling the laminate material to the shim.

Abstract: A gas turbine component is provided. The gas turbine component includes an airfoil having a leading edge, a trailing edge, a suction side extending from the leading edge to the trailing edge, and a pressure side extending from the leading edge to the trailing edge opposite the suction side. The gas turbine component also includes a thermal barrier coating applied to the airfoil pressure side such that an uncoated margin is defined on the pressure side at the trailing edge.

Abstract: A method is provided for modifying an airfoil shroud located at a tip of a blade of an airfoil, the airfoil shroud having a first end edge, a second end edge, a leading edge, and a trailing edge. The method includes locating a reference location in the first end edge of the airfoil shroud, the reference location including a portion of a seal rail extending circumferentially from a radially outer surface of the airfoil shroud, and a fillet extending from the radially outer surface and positioned directly adjacent to the seal rail. The method further includes forming a relief cut in the seal rail and fillet without performing a weld process on the airfoil shroud to remove the reference location, and installing the airfoil shroud in a turbomachine directly following forming the relief cut, wherein modifying the airfoil shroud is complete following forming the relief cut.

Abstract: Platform cooling arrangements in a turbine rotor blade include a feedhole that extends from the suction side slash face to the interior cooling passage, and, one or more branch holes that each extends from the feedhole to the suction side slash face such that coolant flows from the interior cooling passage, through the feedhole to the one or more branch holes and exits the platform along the suction side slash face.

Abstract: A system for controlling a gas turbine power plant includes a plurality of sensors configured to transmit signals indicative of one or more operating parameters of the gas turbine, and a control system in electronic communication with each sensor. The control system is configured to compute cumulative wear for one or more hardware components of the gas turbine based at least in part on the signals. Instructions are inputted into the control system which indicates a desired operational mode for the gas turbine. The control system may then compute a hardware consumption rate based at least in part on the cumulative wear. The hardware consumption rate may then be displayed to an operator via a display device. The operator may use the hardware consumption rate to determine potential economic impact of operating the gas turbine at the desired operational mode.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a method is provided for modifying an airfoil shroud located at a tip of an airfoil of a airfoil, the airfoil shroud having a first end edge, a second end edge, a leading edge and a trailing edge. The method includes locating a reference location in the first end edge of the airfoil shroud, the reference location being proximate a seal rail extending circumferentially from the substantially horizontal surface and forming a relief cut in the airfoil shroud to remove the reference location, wherein a modifying of the airfoil shroud is complete following forming of the relief cut.

Abstract: An impingement plate adapted to reduce thermally-induced strains and stresses that may damage the plate or its attachment to a second component. The plate includes an interior region having cooling holes, a peripheral wall surrounding the interior region and projecting out of the plane of the interior region, a peripheral flange surrounding the peripheral wall and lying in a plane spaced apart from the plane of the interior region, and one or more through-thickness rib. One such rib may be disposed in the interior region, project away from and out of the plane of the interior region, and linearly extend across the interior region. Alternatively or in addition, one such rib may be disposed between the peripheral wall and flange and project out of the plane of the flange.

Abstract: An impingement plate adapted to reduce thermally-induced strains and stresses that may damage the plate or its attachment to a second component. The plate includes an interior region having cooling holes, a peripheral wall surrounding the interior region and projecting out of the plane of the interior region, a peripheral flange surrounding the peripheral wall and lying in a plane spaced apart from the plane of the interior region, and one or more through-thickness rib. One such rib may be disposed in the interior region, project away from and out of the plane of the interior region, and linearly extend across the interior region. Alternatively or in addition, one such rib may be disposed between the peripheral wall and flange and project out of the plane of the flange.