Abstract: A system for measuring a plurality of operating parameters of an object in a harsh environment is provided. The system includes a first energy transceiver system configured to transceive energy signals. The system also includes a transcieved modulant coupled to the first energy transceiver system. The system further includes a second energy transceiver system at least partially disposed on the object and capable of being interrogated by the first energy transceiver system. The second energy transceiver system still further includes a sensing system. The system also includes a processor coupled to the first energy transceiver system. The processor is configured to determine of the plurality of the operating parameters of the object in the harsh environment based upon the transceived modulant.

Abstract: A slurry and slurry coating process for forming a diffusion aluminide coating on a substrate, including internal surfaces within the substrate. The process involves preparing a slurry of a powder containing a metallic aluminum alloy having a melting temperature higher than aluminum, an activator capable of forming a reactive halide vapor with the metallic aluminum, and a binder containing an organic polymer. The slurry is applied to surfaces of the substrate, which is then heated to burn off the binder, vaporize and react the activator with the metallic aluminum to form the halide vapor, react the halide vapor at the substrate surfaces to deposit aluminum on the surfaces, and diffuse the deposited aluminum into the surfaces to form a diffusion aluminide coating. The process can be tailored to selectively produce an inward or outward-type coating. The binder burns off to form an ash residue that can be readily removed.

Abstract: Frame assemblies, molds, and methods for forming rotor blades are provided. A frame assembly for a rotor blade mold includes a plurality of frames, at least one of the plurality of frames movable relative to the others of the plurality of frames, and a bed supported by the plurality of frames. Movement of the at least one of the plurality of frames causes a modification of the bed along a width-wise axis. A mold for forming a rotor blade includes a frame assembly and a mold material disposed in the bed of the frame assembly.

Abstract: A method for coating a component and forming at least one cooling hole in a component is provided. The method includes providing the component having a surface and including a plurality of apertures formed therein. The method includes masking at least one of the plurality of apertures with a plug comprising a removable material. The method includes applying at least one coating to the surface of the component. The method includes eliminating the plug including removable material leaving open apertures in the surface of the coated component. Also provided is a water-soluble aperture plug including water soluble high temperature resistant filler materials including aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, magnesium oxide, silicon dioxide, zircon, graphite, tungsten carbide, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, boron nitride, aluminum nitrides and binding agents and dispersants including phosphates, silicates, sugar, salt, gum, resin, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyethylene glycol, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for life management and monitoring of a high temperature gas turbine including components having a thermal barrier coating is disclosed. The method, system and computer program product uses design, monitoring and diagnostics, and inspection data to determine the cumulative damage and remaining useful life of gas turbine components and unit risk and classification probability to determine thermal barrier coating damage probability, remaining useful life, and inspection recommendations.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a high temperature oxidation and hot corrosion resistant MCrAlX alloy is disclosed, wherein, by weight of the alloy, M comprises nickel in an amount of at least about 30 percent and X comprises from about 0.005 percent to about 0.19 percent yttrium. In another exemplary embodiment, a coated article is disclosed. The article includes a substrate having a surface. The article also includes a bond coat disposed on the surface, the bond coat comprising a high temperature oxidation and hot corrosion resistant MCrAlX alloy, wherein, by weight of the alloy, M comprises at least about 30 percent nickel and X comprises about 0.005 percent to about 0.19 percent yttrium.

Abstract: A method for estimating an operating temperature of component in turbo machinery includes providing body detachably affixed to component, operating machinery, stopping operation of machinery, and removing body. The method includes obtaining concentration profile by determining final concentration of at least one species in first material and in second material, and determining a transient concentration of at least one species between first material and second material. The method includes determining an operating temperature by correlating concentration profile to corresponding operating temperature for system. A system including body is also provided. Body includes at least one species, a first material having a starting first concentration of the species, a second material arranged to permit migration of the species from first material to second material. Species migrates from first material to second material during operation of turbo machinery allowing body to estimate temperature during operation.

Abstract: A method for attaching a connector to deposited material includes the steps of depositing material on a substrate using a thin- or thick-film deposition process and attaching at least one connector to the deposited material using a high energy beam welding process.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a high temperature oxidation and hot corrosion resistant MCrAlX alloy is disclosed, wherein M comprises cobalt and X comprises, by weight of the alloy, from about 0.001 percent to less than 0.19 percent yttrium. In these alloys, X may also optionally include silicon, including, by weight of the alloy, up to about 1.5 percent. In another exemplary embodiment, a coated article is disclosed. The coated article includes a substrate having a surface. The article also includes a bond coat disposed on the surface. The bond coat comprises a high temperature oxidation and hot corrosion resistant MCrAlX alloy, wherein M comprises cobalt and X comprises, by weight of the alloy, from about 0.001 percent to less than 0.19 percent yttrium.

Abstract: A combined cycle power plant includes at least one gas turbine, at least one steam turbine and a heat recovery boiler in combination to produce electricity and/or process steam. The heat recovery boiler has a duct for receiving and confining gas turbine exhaust gas from the gas turbine. Heat transfer tubes for heating water and steam for use in the bottoming steam cycle (steam turbine and/or process steam) are disposed within the heat recovery boiler and have exterior surfaces in fluid communication with the gas turbine exhaust gas and interior surfaces in circulatory fluid communication with water and/or steam. A cellular material is attached to the exterior surfaces of the heat transfer tubes and operates to enhance heat transfer from the gas turbine exhaust gas to the water and/or steam.

Abstract: A sealing device and a method for providing a seal between adjacent components in a turbine system are disclosed. The sealing device includes a seal plate configured to provide a seal between adjacent components, a wire mesh mounted to the seal plate, the wire mesh defining a plurality of voids, and a sealant impregnating the wire mesh such that at least a portion of the plurality of voids include the sealant therein.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for life management and monitoring of a high temperature gas turbine including components having a thermal barrier coating is disclosed. The method, system and computer program product uses design, monitoring and diagnostics, and inspection data to determine the cumulative damage and remaining useful life of gas turbine components and unit risk and classification probability to determine thermal barrier coating damage probability, remaining useful life, and inspection recommendations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a coating for gas turbine components including at least one material having vibration-damping properties. Further disclosed is an airfoil of a gas turbine having damped vibrational characteristics including an airfoil substrate and a coating applied to the airfoil substrate including at least one material having vibration-damping properties. A method of damping vibration of a gas turbine component includes applying a coating including at least one material having damping properties to the turbine component.

Abstract: A method of forming a pattern on a turbomachine component includes adding material to selected surface regions of the turbomachine component, the material is arranged in a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: Improved compositions are described for the protection of gas turbine parts at elevated temperatures. The compositions are of the MCrAlY type, wherein M is Nickel, or Nickel in combination with cobalt and/or iron. The compositions further comprise a lanthanide, a group 4 metal selected from hafnium, zirconium, titanium, or a combination of these, and optionally, a group 14 element selected from silicon and/or germanium. The combination results in improved Al retention properties. Also disclosed herein are articles comprising the coatings.

Abstract: A method for attaching a connector to deposited material includes the steps of depositing material on a substrate using a thin- or thick-film deposition process and attaching at least one connector to the deposited material using a high energy beam welding process.

Abstract: A method of coating a metal substrate such as the components in second and third stages of gas turbine engines in order to increase the oxidation and corrosion resistance of the metal substrate under high temperature operating conditions, the method including the steps of forming a powdered mixture of a high-melt superalloy or MCrAlY component, where M comprises Fe, Ni and/or Co, and a low-melt component containing about 2-5 wt. % silicon, boron or hafnium, applying the powdered mixture to the surface of the metal substrate at room temperature using an atomized spray to form a uniform surface coating, and then heating the coated substrate surface under vacuum conditions to a temperature in the range of about 1900° F. to 2275° F. to obtain a uniform coating composition providing oxidation resistance to the underlying substrate.

Abstract: Composition containing a MCrAlY, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), iron (Fe) and mixtures thereof, and germanium in an amount of about 10% by weight or less of germanium. Coated articles coated with the composition are also provided.

Abstract: A battery cell that comprises a sensing platform with sensing elements configured to provide information about in-situ characteristics and parameters of the battery cell. Embodiments of the battery cell can have the sensing platform integrated into the structure of the battery cell, as a separate structure incorporated in the battery cell, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the battery cell comprises a sensing platform having sensing elements proximate a localized measurement region, where the sensing platform comprises a substrate with material layers disposed thereon. The material layers comprise at least one sensing layer that forms the sensing elements so that the sensing elements are responsive to properties of the battery cell.

Abstract: A system for measuring a plurality of operating parameters of an object in a harsh environment is provided. The system includes a first energy transceiver system configured to transceive energy signals. The system also includes a transcieved modulant coupled to the first energy transceiver system. The system further includes a second energy transceiver system at least partially disposed on the object and capable of being interrogated by the first energy transceiver system. The second energy transceiver system still further includes a sensing system. The system also includes a processor coupled to the first energy transceiver system. The processor is configured to determine of the plurality of the operating parameters of the object in the harsh environment based upon the transceived modulant.