Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle telematics unit includes placing the vehicle telematics unit in a data mode while camped on a base station that does not use a simultaneous voice and data (SVD) cellular standard; sensing an amount of time that has passed since the vehicle telematics unit last received a request for data while in the data mode; comparing the sensed amount of time with a predetermined threshold using the vehicle telematics unit; and commanding the vehicle telematics unit to maintain the data mode and also to enter a voice mode when the sensed amount of time exceeds the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A system and a method for establishing short range wireless communication between two vehicle modules. The system determines the availability of a first vehicle module and a second vehicle module to establish a short range wireless communication connection. The determination may be based upon whether the first vehicle module is storing pairing data. The system validates the pairing data at the second vehicle module using a wired connection. If the pairing data is validated, the first and second vehicle modules may establish a wireless connection using at least a portion of the pairing data. When the wireless connection ends, the system may re-determine the availability and revalidate any pairing data via the wired connection before establishing a wireless connection.

Abstract: A system and method of re-programming one or more modules at a vehicle includes deciding to re-program an infotainment head unit (IHU) or one or more vehicle system modules on a vehicle; accessing a Wi-Fi signal using the IHU; receiving software at the IHU from a remotely-located computer via the Wi-Fi signal; and re-programming the one or more vehicle system modules or the IHU with the received software using the IHU.

Abstract: A hot gas path component is provided and includes a body having a surface and being formed to define a cavity, the cavity employing coolant flow through a pin-fin bank with coolant discharge through film-cooling holes defined on the surface, the pin-fin bank including first and second pluralities of pin-fins, the first plurality of pin-fins and the second plurality of pin-fins each being aligned with a determined flow streamline, and any two pin-fins of the first and second pluralities of pin-fins being separated from one another by a gap as a function of a film-cooling hole dimension.

Abstract: Systems and devices configured to seal interfaces/gaps between stationary components of turbines and manipulate a flow of coolant about portions of the turbine during turbine operation are disclosed. In one embodiment, a seal element includes: a first surface shaped to be oriented toward a pressurized cavity of the turbine; a second surface oriented substantially opposite the first surface and shaped to sealingly engage a contact surface of the static components; and a first set of angular features disposed in the second surface, the first set of angular features fluidly connecting the pressurized cavity and the flowpath of the turbine.

Abstract: A cooling system for use in regulating a temperature of a component is described herein. The cooling system includes a plurality of flow control assemblies that are defined across a sidewall of the component for channeling a cooling fluid across a surface of the sidewall. The plurality of flow control assemblies are configured to adjust a plurality of fluid flow characteristics of the cooling fluid. The plurality of flow control assemblies includes a first flow control assembly configured to adjust a first fluid flow characteristic, and at least a second flow control assembly configured to adjust a second fluid flow characteristic that is different than the first fluid flow characteristic.

Abstract: A turbine blade for a turbine engine includes main coolant passageways which extend through the turbine blade to cool the blade. A tip coolant passageway conveys coolant from a location adjacent the base of the blade directly to the tip of the blade to provide cooling fluid directly to the tip of the blade. This ensures that the coolant arriving at the tip of the blade is at a relatively low temperature and can therefore provide effective cooling of the material located at the tip of the blade.

Abstract: A turbine nozzle having a non-linear cooling conduit is disclosed. In one embodiment, a turbine nozzle includes: an airfoil, at least one endwall adjacent the airfoil, and a fillet region connecting the airfoil and the at least one endwall, the fillet region including an outer surface. The turbine nozzle also includes a non-linear cooling conduit located within the fillet region and adjacent the outer surface of the fillet region, the non-linear cooling conduit allows fluid flow through the fillet region. The non-linear cooling conduit spans substantially along an axial length of the airfoil between a leading edge of the airfoil and a trailing edge of the airfoil. Additionally, the non-linear cooling conduit includes an arc profile substantially similar to an arc profile of the airfoil.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a turbine nozzle having a non-linear cooling conduit is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes: providing a turbine nozzle. The turbine nozzle includes: an airfoil, a cavity, having an inner surface, located within the airfoil, at least one endwall adjacent the airfoil, and a fillet region connecting the airfoil and the endwall. The fillet region also includes an outer surface. The method also includes: forming a non-linear cooling conduit within the fillet region and adjacent the outer surface of the fillet region of the turbine nozzle. The forming of the non-linear cooling conduit includes curved drilling through a portion of the outer surface of the fillet region of the turbine nozzle.

Abstract: A turbine shroud includes a body having an upstream edge, a downstream edge, and first and second side edges that collectively define a flowpath surface. A first interface member is arranged on the upstream edge at the first side edge. The first interface member includes a first edge portion having an end portion that extends out at a first non-perpendicular angle relative to the upstream edge and the first side edge from the flowpath surface to a second end portion. A second interface member is arranged on the upstream edge at the second side edge. The second interface member includes an edge section having an end section that extends into at a second non-perpendicular angle relative to the upstream edge and the second side edge the flowpath surface to a second end section.

Abstract: A gas turbine includes a compressor, a turbine downstream of the compressor having stators, and a rotor connecting the compressor to the turbine. The rotor includes rotor cavities. A supply plenum containing a process by-product gas and a control valve is connected to at least one of the rotor cavities to supply the process by-product gas to at least one of the rotor cavities. A process for operating a gas turbine having a compressor and a turbine includes connecting the compressor to the turbine by a rotor, creating cavities in the rotor, and injecting a process by-product gas into at least one of the cavities. The process further includes regulating the flow of the process by-product gas into at least one of the cavities according to a pre-programmed parameter.

Abstract: A cooling system for use in regulating a temperature of a component is described herein. The cooling system includes a plurality of flow control assemblies that are defined across a sidewall of the component for channeling a cooling fluid across a surface of the sidewall. The plurality of flow control assemblies are configured to adjust a plurality of fluid flow characteristics of the cooling fluid. The plurality of flow control assemblies includes a first flow control assembly configured to adjust a first fluid flow characteristic, and at least a second flow control assembly configured to adjust a second fluid flow characteristic that is different than the first fluid flow characteristic.

Abstract: A hot gas path component is provided and includes a body having a surface and being formed to define a cavity, the cavity employing coolant flow through a pin-fin bank with coolant discharge through film-cooling holes defined on the surface, the pin-fin bank including first and second pluralities of pin-fins, the first plurality of pin-fins and the second plurality of pin-fins each being aligned with a determined flow streamline, and any two pin-fins of the first and second pluralities of pin-fins being separated from one another by a gap as a function of a film-cooling hole dimension.

Abstract: A turbine blade with a generally hollow airfoil having an outer wall that defines at least one radially extending chamber for receiving the flow of a coolant, the airfoil including a leading edge that resides in an upstream or forward direction, a trailing edge that resides in a downstream or aft direction, a convex suction side, and a concave pressure side, the turbine blade comprising: a plurality of inserts disposed within the chamber that are configured to initially receive at least a portion of the coolant entering the chamber and direct a substantial portion of the coolant through a plurality of insert apertures toward the inner surface of the outer wall; wherein the inserts are configured to form at least one inward bleed channel and a central collector passage into which the inward bleed channel flows.

Abstract: A turbine blade for a turbine engine includes main coolant passageways which extend through the turbine blade to cool the blade. A tip coolant passageway conveys coolant from a location adjacent the base of the blade directly to the tip of the blade to provide cooling fluid directly to the tip of the blade. This ensures that the coolant arriving at the tip of the blade is at a relatively low temperature and can therefore provide effective cooling of the material located at the tip of the blade.

Abstract: A gas turbine includes a compressor, a turbine downstream of the compressor having stators, and a rotor connecting the compressor to the turbine. The rotor includes rotor cavities. A supply plenum containing a process by-product gas and a control valve is connected to at least one of the rotor cavities to supply the process by-product gas to at least one of the rotor cavities. A process for operating a gas turbine having a compressor and a turbine includes connecting the compressor to the turbine by a rotor, creating cavities in the rotor, and injecting a process by-product gas into at least one of the cavities. The process further includes regulating the flow of the process by-product gas into at least one of the cavities according to a pre-programmed parameter.

Abstract: A turbine blade with a generally hollow airfoil having an outer wall that defines at least one radially extending chamber for receiving the flow of a coolant, the airfoil including a leading edge that resides in an upstream or forward direction, a trailing edge that resides in a downstream or aft direction, a convex suction side, and a concave pressure side, the turbine blade comprising: a plurality of inserts disposed within the chamber that are configured to initially receive at least a portion of the coolant entering the chamber and direct a substantial portion of the coolant through a plurality of insert apertures toward the inner surface of the outer wall; wherein the inserts are configured to form at least one inward bleed channel and a central collector passage into which the inward bleed channel flows.