Abstract: Systems and methods for removing heat are provided. For example, a system comprises a support apparatus and a cooling apparatus, including a suction device for forcing air through a gas turbine engine, disposed on the support apparatus, which is moveable with respect to the engine to position the cooling apparatus in contact with an engine exhaust. A nozzle in operative communication with the suction device may force air through the engine. Further, the support apparatus may comprise a lift device, an angle adjustment mechanism, and a nozzle support element disposed on a longitudinal slide rail for adjusting a height, an angle, and a longitudinal position of the nozzle. A method of removing heat from a gas turbine engine after shutdown comprises positioning a cooling apparatus adjacent an exhaust; sealing the cooling apparatus to the exhaust; and operating a suction device of the cooling apparatus to move air through the engine.

Abstract: An inflatable device equipped with a guiding mechanism and methods of installing the inflatable device to form a temporary barrier within a gas turbine engine are provided. In one aspect, an inflatable device includes a backbone and an inflatable bladder connected thereto. The backbone is formed of a flexible and inextensible material. The inflatable bladder is formed of an expandable material. To install the inflatable device within an annular chamber of a gas turbine engine, the backbone is inserted into a first access port of the engine and is moved circumferentially around the annulus of the chamber. The backbone is retrieved through a second access port. The inflatable bladder is moved into position within the chamber by pushing the backbone into the first access port and/or pulling the backbone out of the second access port. When positioned in place, the inflatable bladder is inflated to form an annular seal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cleaning deposits from a component of an assembled, on-wing gas turbine engine are provided. Accordingly, the method includes operably coupling a delivery assembly to an annular inlet of a core gas turbine engine. A portion of cleaning fluid is atomized with the delivery assembly to develop a cleaning mist having a plurality of atomized droplets. The atomized droplets are suspended within any path of the core gas turbine engine from the annular inlet to an axial position downstream of a compressor of the core gas turbine engine. A portion of the cleaning mist is impacted or precipitated onto the component so as to wet the component, and a portion of the deposits on the component is dissolved by the cleaning mist.

Abstract: A robotic assembly configured to service an engine, wherein the robotic assembly includes an environmental capture device configured to provide information associated with an environment in which the engine is disposed to one or more computing devices, and wherein the one or more computing devices are configured to use the information to inspect the engine before and after repair operations associated with the service to check for repair equipment, or parts thereof, left in the engine after the repair.

Abstract: Systems and methods of servicing engines including a method of servicing an engine, the method including navigating at least a portion of a robotic assembly to a location associated with the engine; applying, from the robotic assembly, a medium to one or more adjustable components of the engine while the engine is at an elevated temperature; waiting a duration of time; and with the robotic assembly, operating on the one or more adjustable components.

Abstract: A method of detecting damage to a gas turbine engine, the method including observing a thermal response of the engine during a thermal transition occurring when the engine transitions between an elevated temperature and a lesser temperature; determining potential damage to the gas turbine engine based on the observed thermal response of the gas turbine engine; and generating an action in response to the determined potential damage to the gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A method of servicing aviation equipment including at least partially-autonomously inspecting components of the equipment using an environmental capture device, wherein at least partially-autonomous inspection includes: capturing information associated with the equipment using the environmental capture device; identifying the components of the equipment using one or more computing devices; determining, by the one or more computing devices, whether each identified component is properly positioned relative to the equipment using reference information; and for components not properly positioned relative to the equipment, determining if there is damage to the component or equipment.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for servicing an engine including receiving information including an initial condition profile, CP1, of the engine; forming a workscope associated with a servicing operation of the engine in view of the initial condition profile, CP1; servicing the engine in view of the workscope; determining at least in part an updated condition profile, CP2, of the engine in view of information acquired during the service; and storing the updated condition profile, CP2, for use in a subsequent service operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cleaning deposits from a component of an assembled, on-wing gas turbine engine are provided. Accordingly, the method includes operably coupling a delivery assembly to an annular inlet of a core gas turbine engine. A portion of cleaning fluid is atomized with the delivery assembly to develop a cleaning mist having a plurality of atomized droplets. The atomized droplets are suspended within any path of the core gas turbine engine from the annular inlet to an axial position downstream of a compressor of the core gas turbine engine. A portion of the cleaning mist is impacted or precipitated onto the component so as to wet the component, and a portion of the deposits on the component is dissolved by the cleaning mist.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a component of an installed and assembled gas turbine engine are provided. Accordingly, the method includes operably coupling a delivery assembly to an annular inlet of a core gas turbine engine. A portion of treating fluid is atomized with the delivery assembly to develop a treating mist having a plurality of atomized droplets. The atomized droplets are suspended within any path of the core gas turbine engine from the annular inlet to an axial position downstream of a compressor of the core gas turbine engine. A portion of the treating mist is impacted or precipitated onto the component so as to wet the component, and a portion of the deposits on the component is dissolved by the treating mist.

Abstract: A vapor-based system and method for treating one or more components of a gas turbine engine. The system includes a treatment compound contained in a storage vessel. The storage vessel being operably coupled to a delivery module. The delivery module delivering the treatment compound at one or more locations of the gas turbine engine such that the treatment compound is a vapor when exposed to an engine air-path.

Abstract: A method for cleaning components of a gas turbine engine is presented. The method includes introducing a working fluid into a gas flow path or a cooling circuit defined by the one or more components of the gas turbine engine such that the working fluid impinges upon a surface of the one or more components of the gas turbine engine, wherein the working fluid includes a plurality of detergent droplets entrained in a flow of steam. A system for cleaning components of a gas turbine engine are also presented.

Abstract: A method for inspecting and repairing a surface of a component of a gas turbine engine, the method including: inserting an inspection and repair tool into an interior of the gas turbine engine; inspecting the surface of the component with the inspection and repair tool; performing a repair of the surface of the component with the inspection and repair tool from within the interior of the gas turbine engine, the inspection and repair tool remaining within the interior of the gas turbine engine between inspecting the component and performing the repair of the surface of the component.

Abstract: A method for cleaning components of a gas turbine engine is presented. The method includes introducing a working fluid into a gas flow path or a cooling circuit defined by the one or more components of the gas turbine engine such that the working fluid impinges upon a surface of the one or more components of the gas turbine engine, wherein the working fluid includes a plurality of detergent droplets entrained in a flow of steam. A system for cleaning components of a gas turbine engine are also presented.

Abstract: A maintenance tool for gas turbine engine includes a rail system having a plurality of rail segments insertable through one or more inspection holes of the gas turbine engine for assembly within a core air flowpath of the gas turbine engine. The maintenance tool additionally includes a maintenance head movable along the plurality of rail segments of the rail system for performing maintenance operations within the core air flowpath.

Abstract: A turbine engine having an inducer assembly. The inducer assembly includes a centrifugal separator fluidly coupled to an inducer with an inducer inlet and an inducer outlet. The centrifugal separator includes a body, an angular velocity increaser to form a concentrated-particle stream and a reduced-particle stream, a flow splitter, and an exit conduit fluidly coupled to the body to receive the reduced-particle stream and define a separator outlet.

Abstract: A method for inspecting a gas turbine engine using a maintenance tool includes assembling a plurality of rail segments of a rail system of the maintenance tool within a core air flowpath of the gas turbine engine. The gas turbine engine includes a compressor section, a combustion section, and a turbine section together defining at least in part the core air flowpath. The method also includes moving a maintenance head of the maintenance tool along the plurality of rail segments of the rail system to perform maintenance operations within the core air flowpath of the gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A turbine system includes a foam generating assembly having an in situ foam generating device at least partially positioned within the fluid passageway of the turbine engine, such that the in situ foam generating device is configured to generate foam within the fluid passageway of the turbine engine.

Abstract: A maintenance tool for gas turbine engine includes a rail system having a plurality of rail segments insertable through one or more inspection holes of the gas turbine engine for assembly within a core air flowpath of the gas turbine engine. The maintenance tool additionally includes a maintenance head movable along the plurality of rail segments of the rail system for performing maintenance operations within the core air flowpath.

Abstract: A coated component for a gas turbine engine is provided. The coated component includes a substrate having a surface and a ceramic coating. The ceramic coating includes one or more linear slots and one or more non-linear slots. The one or more non-linear slots intersect the one or more linear slots. The plurality of linear slots and the plurality of non-linear slots form segments of ceramic coating material.