Abstract: A method of furnace-less brazing of a substrate is provided. The method includes providing a substrate having a brazing region thereon; disposing braze precursor material containing a nickel powder, an aluminum powder, and a platinum group metal powder on the brazing region; and initiating an exothermic reaction of the braze precursor material such that the exothermic reaction produces a braze material that reaches a braze temperature above the liquidus temperature for the braze material. A braze precursor material is also provided.

Abstract: A cable tensioning system including: a body defining a balance point; a cable receiving area having gripping elements configured to grip and bias a cable relative to the cable tensioning system; and a sensor configured to sense changes to a balance of the body about the balance point, wherein the cable tensioning system is configured to maintain the cable within a preset range of tensions.

Abstract: A method of furnace-less brazing of a substrate is provided. The method includes providing a substrate having a brazing region thereon; disposing braze precursor material containing a nickel powder, an aluminum powder, and a platinum group metal powder on the brazing region; and initiating an exothermic reaction of the braze precursor material such that the exothermic reaction produces a braze material that reaches a braze temperature above the liquidus temperature for the braze material. A braze precursor material is also provided.

Abstract: A service apparatus for use in maintaining a machine including a stator and a rotor is provided. The service apparatus includes a carriage assembly configured to couple to the rotor. The service apparatus is selectively transitionable between a stowed position in which the service apparatus is rotatable with the rotor and an extended position in which the service apparatus is extended toward the stator. The service apparatus also includes at least one maintenance device coupled to the carriage assembly. The at least one maintenance device is operable to perform a maintenance operation on a surface of the stator with the service apparatus in the extended position.

Abstract: A system for use in servicing a machine. The system includes a tubular body including a longitudinal axis, a tip end, a dispensing nozzle defined at the tip end, and an interior channel in flow communication with the dispensing nozzle. The tubular body is configured to be flexible. An actuator is configured to selectively modify an orientation of the tubular body, and a reservoir is in flow communication with the interior channel. The reservoir is configured to supply a maintenance fluid to the tubular body for discharge from the dispensing nozzle.

Abstract: A method of furnace-less brazing of a substrate is provided. The method includes providing a substrate having a braze region thereon; disposing braze precursor material containing a nickel powder, an aluminum powder, and a platinum group metal powder on the braze region; and initiating an exothermic reaction of the braze precursor material such that the exothermic reaction produces a braze material that reaches a braze temperature above the solidus temperature of the braze material. A braze precursor material is also provided.

Abstract: A system for use in servicing a machine. The system includes a tubular body including a longitudinal axis, a tip end, a dispensing nozzle defined at the tip end, and an interior channel in flow communication with the dispensing nozzle. The tubular body is configured to be flexible. An actuator is configured to selectively modify an orientation of the tubular body, and a reservoir is in flow communication with the interior channel. The reservoir is configured to supply a maintenance fluid to the tubular body for discharge from the dispensing nozzle.

Abstract: A system for use in servicing a turbomachine, the system including a first tubular body including an interior channel, and a second tubular body. The first and second tubular bodies are bendable between a neutral shape and a biased shape. The bodies are bent when in the neutral shape. The second tubular body includes a tip end, and the second tubular body is translatable within the interior channel. The first tubular body and the second tubular body are rotatable to selectively orient the tip end in multiple degrees of freedom. The system also includes a steering cable extending from the tip end, wherein the steering cable biases the tip end for selective orientation in additional degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A method of furnace-less brazing of a substrate is provided. The method includes providing a substrate having a braze region thereon; disposing braze precursor material containing a nickel powder, an aluminum powder, and a platinum group metal powder on the braze region; and initiating an exothermic reaction of the braze precursor material such that the exothermic reaction produces a braze material that reaches a braze temperature above the solidus temperature of the braze material. A braze precursor material is also provided.

Abstract: A cable tensioning system including: a body defining a balance point; a cable receiving area having gripping elements configured to grip and bias a cable relative to the cable tensioning system; and a sensor configured to sense changes to a balance of the body about the balance point, wherein the cable tensioning system is configured to maintain the cable within a preset range of tensions

Abstract: Methods for forming a sintered patch on a silicon-based substrate are disclosed. The methods include applying a patch slurry on the silicon-based substrate, drying the patch slurry on the silicon-based substrate to form a dried patch material, and sintering the dried patch material in an oxidizing atmosphere to form a sintered patch on the silicon-based substrate. The patch slurry includes a patch material containing silicates in a fluid carrier.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to in situ methods for maintaining turbine assemblies. One such method includes: disposing a maintenance apparatus on the rotor; positioning the maintenance apparatus proximate to the damaged region by rotating the rotor; and repairing the damaged region by operating a repair tool disposed on the apparatus. Another method includes: disposing a maintenance apparatus on the stator; positioning the damaged region proximate to the maintenance apparatus by rotating the rotor; and repairing the damaged region by operating a repair tool disposed on the apparatus.

Abstract: A reconfigurable maintenance apparatus includes a body configured to operate within a cavity. The body has a first shape in a first configuration and a second shape in a second configuration. The first configuration facilitates the body entering the cavity. The reconfigurable apparatus also includes at least one maintenance device operably coupled to the body. The second configuration facilitates the at least one maintenance device of the reconfigurable apparatus performing a maintenance operation.

Abstract: A service apparatus for use in maintaining a turbine assembly (100) includes a carriage (132, 304) configured to move through a cavity of the turbine assembly (100), a motorized system (218, 500, 600, 700, 800) coupled to the carriage (132, 304), and a maintenance device (128, 400) coupled to the motorized system (218, 500, 600, 700, 800). The motorized system (218, 500, 600, 700, 800) is configured to move the maintenance device (128, 400) relative to the carriage (132, 304). The motorized system (218, 500, 600, 700, 800) includes a first motor (710, 720, 805) configured to move the maintenance device (128, 400) in a first direction (324) and a second motor (710, 720, 805) configured to move the maintenance device (128, 400) in a second direction (324).

Abstract: A coated component may have a consumable coating that protects the component from dust. A coated component may include a silicon containing substrate defining a substrate surface, a barrier coating on the substrate surface, with the barrier coating defining a barrier surface, and a consumable coating on the barrier surface. The consumable coating may include a ceramic oxide that includes a silicate. A component, such as a component of a turbomachine, may be protected from dust by applying a consumable coating on the component.

Abstract: A system for use in maintaining a turbine assembly includes a plurality of blades and a plurality of vanes. The system includes an insertion apparatus including an insertion end, a steering end opposite the insertion end, and a body extending from the insertion end to the steering end. The insertion end is positionable proximate at least one blade of the plurality of blades using a steering interface. The system also includes a service apparatus for use in maintaining the turbine assembly. The service apparatus includes at least one maintenance device and an anchoring feature. The service apparatus is proximate the insertion end of the insertion apparatus and is positionable in a plurality of orientations via the steering interface. The anchoring feature is configured to releasably couple the service apparatus to at least one blade of the plurality of blades.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to in situ methods for maintaining turbine assemblies. One such method includes: disposing a maintenance apparatus on the rotor; positioning the maintenance apparatus proximate to the damaged region by rotating the rotor; and repairing the damaged region by operating a repair tool disposed on the apparatus. Another method includes: disposing a maintenance apparatus on the stator; positioning the damaged region proximate to the maintenance apparatus by rotating the rotor; and repairing the damaged region by operating a repair tool disposed on the apparatus.

Abstract: A system for use in servicing a machine. The system includes a tubular body including a longitudinal axis, a tip end, a dispensing nozzle defined at the tip end, and an interior channel in flow communication with the dispensing nozzle. The tubular body is configured to be flexible. An actuator is configured to selectively modify an orientation of the tubular body, and a reservoir is in flow communication with the interior channel. The reservoir is configured to supply a maintenance fluid to the tubular body for discharge from the dispensing nozzle.

Abstract: A system for use in servicing a turbomachine, the system including a first tubular body including an interior channel, and a second tubular body. The first and second tubular bodies are bendable between a neutral shape and a biased shape. The bodies are bent when in the neutral shape. The second tubular body includes a tip end, and the second tubular body is translatable within the interior channel. The first tubular body and the second tubular body are rotatable to selectively orient the tip end in multiple degrees of freedom. The system also includes a steering cable extending from the tip end, wherein the steering cable biases the tip end for selective orientation in additional degrees of freedom.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to in situ methods for maintaining turbine assemblies. One such method includes: disposing a maintenance apparatus on the rotor; positioning the maintenance apparatus proximate to the damaged region by rotating the rotor; and repairing the damaged region by operating a repair tool disposed on the apparatus. Another method includes: disposing a maintenance apparatus on the stator; positioning the damaged region proximate to the maintenance apparatus by rotating the rotor; and repairing the damaged region by operating a repair tool disposed on the apparatus.