Abstract: Methods for fabricating a ceramic matrix composite are disclosed. A fiber preform may be placed in a mold. An aqueous solution may be added to the fiber preform. The aqueous solution may include water, carbon nanotubes, and a binder. The preform may be frozen. Freezing the preform may cause the water to expand and separate fibers in the fiber preform. The carbon nanotubes may bond to the fibers. The preform may be freeze dried to remove the water. The preform may then be processed according to standard CMC process.

Abstract: A disclosed method includes serially moving a plurality of dies through a series of interconnected chambers that are selectively sealable from each other. Through the series of interconnected chambers, each of the dies is introduced into a controlled gas environment, each of the dies is introduced into a controlled temperature environment, a process-environment-sensitive material is pressurized in each of the dies, and each of the dies is cooled. A disclosed apparatus includes a series of interconnected chambers that are selectively sealable from each other. A first one of the chambers is configured to establish a controlled gas environment therein, a second one of the chambers is configured to establish a controlled temperature environment therein, a third one of the chambers is configured to pressurize a process-environment-sensitive material and a fourth one of the chambers is configured to cool the process-environment-sensitive material.

Abstract: An electrical power generation system consists of a ceramic hot face liner of a gas path enclosure thermally and mechanically connected to thermoelectric elements mounted on a conformal thermally conducting layer on the liner. Cooling channels connected to the backside of the thermoelectric elements provide a thermal gradient across the elements and resulting electrical power output. Clamps to maintain thermal and physical contact of all elements in the system are provided to maximize power generation.

Abstract: A method of forming an integral fastener for a ceramic matrix composite component comprises the steps of forming a fiber preform with an opening, forming a fiber fastener, inserting the fiber fastener into the opening, and infiltrating a matrix material into the fiber preform and fiber fastener to form a ceramic matrix composite component with an integral fastener. A gas turbine engine is also disclosed.

Abstract: A ceramic component includes a porous structure that has fibers and a coating on the fibers. A ceramic material is within pores of the porous structure. A glass or glass/ceramic material is within pores of the porous structure, and one of the ceramic material or the glass or glass/ceramic material is within internal residual porosity of the other of the ceramic material or the glass or glass/ceramic material.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a ceramic component includes initially partially filling pores of a porous structure using one of a first processing technique or a second, different processing technique to form a preform body with residual porosity. The first processing technique produces a first ceramic material in the pores of the porous structure and a second processing technique produces a second ceramic material in the pores of the porous structure. When the first processing technique is used to initially partially fill the pores of the porous structure, the second processing technique is used thereafter to at least partially fill the residual porosity with the second ceramic material. When the second processing technique is used to initially partially fill the pores, the first processing technique is used thereafter to at least partially fill the residual porosity.

Abstract: The heat exchanger (10) includes a ceramic matrix composite (12) (stable at temperatures up to 1,650° C.) surrounding and defining a hot fluid conduit (14). A hardenable material (18) having a high thermal conductivity is formed into a heat transfer layer (16) surrounding the ceramic matrix composite (12). A metal pipe (20) is coextensive with the heat transfer layer (16) and defines at least a portion (22) of at least one cool fluid passage (24, 34, 54) defined adjacent to and in heat exchange relationship with the heat transfer layer (16) so that a fluid passing through the cool fluid passage (24, 34, 54) absorbs heat passing through the heat transfer layer (16) from the hot fluid passing through the hot fluid conduit (14).

Abstract: A reverse flow combustor has an inlet end. A flowpath extends downstream from the inlet end through a turn. The turn directs the flowpath radially inward and reversing an axial flow direction. A large exit duct (LED) is along the turn. A small exit duct (SED) is along the turn and joined by a joint to a mounting structure to resist separation in a first axial direction. The joint comprises: a first surface on the SED facing partially radially inward; and a mounting feature engaging the first surface.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine has an annular reverse-flow combustor with a combustor inner liner enclosing a combustion chamber. The inner liner having a dome portion at an upstream end of the combustor and a downstream combustor exit defined between a small exit duct portion and a large exit duct portion. At least one of the dome portion, the small exit duct portion and the large exit duct portion is made of a separately formed hemi-toroidal shell composed of a ceramic matrix composite.

Abstract: A first member is retained to a second member to resist separation in a first direction. A joint comprises a first recess in the first member. The first member comprises at least a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) substrate. The joint comprises at least one ceramic key partially accommodated in the first recess and engaging the second member. The second member comprises at least a metallic substrate.

Abstract: A ceramic component includes a porous fibrous structure that has fibers that are coated with a protective coating. There is a ceramic coating on the protective coating within pores of the porous fibrous structure. The ceramic coating and porous fibrous structure define a residual interconnected porosity. There is a solid glass or glass/ceramic material is within the residual interconnected porosity.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a ceramic component includes using vapor infiltration to deposit a ceramic coating within pores of a porous structure to form a preform body with residual interconnected porosity. Transfer molding is then used to deposit a heated, liquid glass or glass/ceramic material into the residual interconnected porosity. The liquid ceramic or ceramic/glass material is then solidified to form a ceramic component.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an inlet conduit assembly surrounding a gas flow path and a combustor arranged downstream of the inlet conduit assembly. The inlet conduit assembly includes a thermoelectric (TE) device configured to convert heat into electrical energy, a gas flow conduit arranged between the gas flow path and the TE device, and a resilient member configured to bias the TE device into contact with the gas flow conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a thermoelectric (TE) device, a gas flow conduit proximate to one side of the thermoelectric device, a plurality of flexible tubes proximate to a second side of the thermoelectric device, and a spring to control contact force between the flexible tubes and the thermoelectric device. The spring comprises a coil spring at least partially circumscribing the gas flow conduit. The thermoelectric device converts a temperature differential between the flexible tubes and the gas flow conduit into electrical energy.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a ceramic component includes using vapor infiltration to deposit a ceramic coating within pores of a porous structure to form a preform body with residual interconnected porosity. Transfer molding is then used to deposit a heated, liquid glass or glass/ceramic material into the residual interconnected porosity. The liquid ceramic or ceramic/glass material is then solidified to form a ceramic component.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a ceramic component includes initially partially filling pores of a porous structure using one of a first processing technique or a second, different processing technique to form a preform body with residual porosity. The first processing technique produces a first ceramic material in the pores of the porous structure and a second processing technique produces a second ceramic material in the pores of the porous structure. When the first processing technique is used to initially partially fill the pores of the porous structure, the second processing technique is used thereafter to at least partially fill the residual porosity with the second ceramic material. When the second processing technique is used to initially partially fill the pores, the first processing technique is used thereafter to at least partially fill the residual porosity.

Abstract: A composition for manufacturing a composite of a non-oxide ceramic matrix and a refractory phase within the non-oxide ceramic matrix includes a preceramic polymer for forming a non-oxide ceramic matrix and a refractory material dispersed within the preceramic polymer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite article includes pyrolyzing a preceramic polymer to form a non-oxide ceramic matrix and a byproduct, and reacting the refractory material with the byproduct to form a refractory phase within the non-oxide ceramic matrix.

Abstract: A vane assembly has an outer support ring, an inner support ring, an outer liner ring, an inner liner ring, and a circumferential array of vanes. Each vane has a shell extending from an inboard end to an outboard end and at least partially through an associated aperture in the inner liner ring and an associated aperture in the outer liner ring. There is at least one of: an outer compliant member compliantly radially positioning the vane; and an inner compliant member compliantly radially positioning the vane.

Abstract: A CMC component has an integral airfoil and root portion formed by a plurality of plies extending in a spanwise direction and an external feature formed by a plurality of bent plies.