Abstract: A variable turbine geometry turbocharger (100) with an adjustment ring assembly (45) having an adjustment ring (50) and a series of pivotable guide vanes (30) that are operably connected to the adjustment ring (50). A spring-biased retention clip (60) is between adjacent vane levers (36) and is attached to the adjustment ring (50). The retention clip (60) applies a force against the adjacent vane levers (36) and dampens and reduces movement of corresponding components.

Abstract: Combustor assemblies for gas turbine engines are provided. For example, a combustor assembly comprises a combustor dome, a first heat shield having an edge, a second heat shield having an edge, and a seal extending from the edge of the first heat shield to the edge of the second heat shield such that the seal spans a gap between the first heat shield and the second heat shield. In another embodiment, the seal has a first contact portion contacting the edge of the first heat shield, a second contact portion contacting the edge of the second heat shield edge, and a connecting portion connecting the first portion and the second portion. The first contact portion and the second contact portion project away from the connecting portion. Methods for sealing between adjacent heat shields of a combustor assembly also are provided.

Abstract: Combustor assemblies having heat shields heat shield attachment features are provided. For example, a combustor assembly includes a dome plate defining first and second apertures, and a heat shield defining first and second openings. The heat shield includes a first cup extending about the first opening and a second cup extending about the second opening. The combustor assembly further includes a collar having a first frame at least partially surrounding the first cup and a second frame at least partially surrounding the second cup. The collar includes a first fastening feature and the dome plate includes a second fastening feature. The first fastening feature mates with the second fastening feature to couple the heat shield to the dome plate. The combustor assembly also may include an attachment piece configured to couple the heat shield to the dome plate. Methods for forming ceramic matrix composite (CMC) heat shields also are provided.

Abstract: Combustor assemblies having heat shields and features for attaching the heat shields are provided. For example, a combustor assembly includes a combustor dome defining an aperture, and a heat shield defining an opening and including a cup extending about the opening that extends toward the aperture of the combustor dome. The combustor assembly also includes a collar comprising a first piece and a second piece that each surround a portion of the heat shield cup. The collar may include a first arm, a second arm, and a body connecting the first and second arms such that the collar defines a recess between the first and second arms. The combustor assembly also may include an attachment piece with a flange that is positioned in the recess with a heat shield flange; the attachment piece attaches to the combustor dome to couple the heat shield and the combustor dome.

Abstract: A lock mechanism for a vehicle latch includes a cable link. Also included is a pawl release link, the cable link and the pawl release link switchable between an engaged condition and a disengaged condition, the engaged condition allowed manual release of the vehicle latch, the disengaged condition preventing release of the vehicle latch. Further included is an electrically driven gear operatively coupled to the cable link and the pawl release link to reset the cable link and the pawl release link to the disengaged condition.

Abstract: A pivot shaft assembly for a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry (VTG) is provided. The pivot shaft assembly may include a pivot shaft, a pivot fork extending from the pivot shaft, a VTG lever disposed on the pivot shaft, and a retention collar axially coupled to the pivot shaft such that the VTG lever is axially aligned with the retention collar and the pivot shaft.

Abstract: In one non-limiting embodiment, a latch system for a door of a vehicle is provided. The latch system includes a latch assembly, an accelerometer configured to measure acceleration of the vehicle, and a controller communicatively coupled to the accelerometer. The controller is configured to control an operation of the latch assembly. The controller prevents transition of the latch assembly to a disengaged position when the measured acceleration exceeds a predetermined threshold to facilitate preventing the door from opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for powder-based additive manufacturing of an object is provided. The apparatus includes a powder delivery mechanism, a powder recoating mechanism, an irradiation beam directing mechanism and a temperature control mechanism that at least measures a real-time temperature of at least one growing part of a built object. The apparatus includes a build unit, a positioning mechanism, and a rotating mechanism. The build unit attaches to the positioning mechanism providing the build unit with independent movements in at least two dimensions. The build unit also attaches to the rotating mechanism and rotates around and above a build platform during production. A method of manufacturing the object using the apparatus includes repetitive cycles of depositing powder onto a build platform, irradiating at least one selected portion of the powder to form at least one fused layer, and measuring a real-time temperature of at least one selected portion of the at least one fused layer.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus for building an object is provided. The apparatus includes a build chamber having at least one chamber wall, a powder delivery mechanism, and a build platform. The build chamber and build platform defines while in operation a powder bed. At least one surface of the build chamber or build platform is moveable in a manner that is capable of adjusting forces on the object in the powder bed.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a heat exchanger core, a header defining a header manifold, and a transition portion that provides fluid communication between the heat exchanger core and the header manifold. The transition portion includes a transition tube extending between the header and the heat exchanger core, a header junction where the transition tube joins the header, and a splitting junction that splits the transition tube into the plurality of heat exchange tubes. The header junction may define elliptical inlet apertures, a large filleted joint, and a junction thickness that is greater than a header wall thickness.

Abstract: A header for a heat exchanger includes a first barrel and a second barrel stacked on top of each other and being separated by a septum which may include one or more apertures. The first barrel and the second barrel may define a first manifold and a second manifold, respectively, which may be in fluid communication via the apertures in the septum. An inlet manifold is in fluid communication with the first manifold and the second manifold for providing a flow of heated fluid, the heated fluid being distributed through the first manifold and the second manifold before passing through a plurality of heat exchange tubes that extend from each of the first manifold and the second manifold.

Abstract: Combustor assemblies and combustor heat shields are provided. As one example, a combustor assembly comprises a flow path assembly including an outer wall, an inner wall, and a combustor dome that define a combustion chamber and are formed from a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material. The combustor dome defines a plurality of dome openings, and a heat shield is positioned between the combustor dome and the combustion chamber that comprises a plurality of heat shield segments. Each heat shield segment defines a heat shield aperture that is aligned with a dome opening, and an aft surface of each segment is concave and a forward surface of each segment is convex. One of a plurality of fuel-air mixers is positioned through each heat shield aperture and dome opening, and one collar of a plurality of collars extends through each heat shield aperture to couple the heat shield to the fuel-air mixer.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous powder-based additive manufacturing of a large annular object or multiple smaller objects simultaneously is described. The build unit(s) of the apparatus includes a powder delivery mechanism, a powder recoating mechanism and an irradiation beam directing mechanism. The build unit(s) is attached to a rotating mechanism such that the build unit(s) rotates around and above the annular powder bed during production. The rotating mechanism is supported onto a central tower, and both the rotating mechanism and the tower are concentric with the non-rotating annular powder bed. An additive manufacturing method using the apparatus involves repetitive and continuous cycles of at least simultaneously rotating the build unit(s) to deposit powder onto the powder bed and irradiating the powder to form a fused additive layer. The continuous additive manufacturing process may be further aided with a helical configuration of the powder bed build surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous powder-based additive manufacturing of a large annular object or multiple smaller objects simultaneously. The build unit(s) of the apparatus, which includes a powder delivery mechanism, a powder recoating mechanism and an irradiation beam emitting and directing mechanism, is attached to a rotating mechanism such that the build unit(s) rotates around and above the powder bed during production. The rotating mechanism is supported onto a tower. A stationary powder supply mechanism feeds powder to the powder delivery mechanism, and is concentric with the rotating mechanism, tower and non-rotating annular powder bed. A manufacturing method using the apparatus involves repetitive and continuous cycles of at least simultaneously rotating the build unit(s) to deposit powder onto the powder bed, and irradiating the powder to form a fused additive layer. The continuous additive manufacturing process may be further aided with a helical configuration of the powder bed build surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods and apparatuses for additive manufacturing (AM) that utilize compression chambers to reduce pressure on grown objects. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a method for fabricating an object. The method includes (a) irradiating a layer of powder in a build area above a build platform to form a fused region; (b) providing a subsequent layer of powder over the build area; and (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) until at least a portion of the object, at least one chamber, and a tube are formed in the build area. The chamber encloses a region of unfused powder and the tube extends from a passage within the build platform to the chamber. The method also includes (d) removing unfused powder from within the chamber via the tube and the passage. The disclosure also provides an apparatus for forming compression chambers within an object.

Abstract: A slip joint assembly for joining multiple pipes is provided. The slip joint assembly includes a flow expander that is connected to a downstream pipe and is tapered toward a forward end. An inlet bellmouth is coupled to the forward end of the flow expander and defines a flared inlet positioned within an upstream pipe. An annular seal assembly is coupled to the upstream pipe and includes a ball seal positioned around and forming a seal with the flow expander to operably couple the upstream pipe and the downstream pipe. An internal diameter of the annular seal assembly is smaller than a diameter of the flared inlet.

Abstract: Various methods and assemblies are provided for producing composite components having formed in features. For example, a method may comprise depositing a composite material on a base tool; bringing a feature forming tool into contact with the composite material; and processing the composite material with the feature forming tool in contact with the composite material. The processed composite material forms a green state composite component. The feature forming tool comprises a sheet having one or more elements for interacting with one or more elements of the base tool to form one or more features of the composite component. In some embodiments, the method also may comprise sealing a bag around the feature forming tool and the composite material after bringing the tool into contact with the composite material and removing the bag and the feature forming tool from the green state composite component after processing.

Abstract: Various methods and assemblies are provided for producing composite components having formed in features. For example, a method may comprise depositing a composite material on a base tool; aligning an aperture forming tool with a tooling aperture in the base tool; inserting the aperture forming tool through the composite material to form an aperture in the composite material; deploying a feature forming tool to press the composite material into one or more recesses; and processing the composite material with the feature forming tool in contact with the composite material. In some embodiments, the feature forming tool includes a stem extending through the composite material and into the base tool, as well as a feature forming head that is brought into contact with and processed with the composite material. In other embodiments, a tooling assembly holds a pin in place during processing to fix the pin in the composite component.

Abstract: Various methods and assemblies are provided for producing composite components having formed in features. For example, a method may comprise depositing a composite material on a base tool; deploying a feature forming tool to press the composite material into one or more recesses; and processing the composite material with the feature forming tool pressing the composite material into the one or more recesses. The processed composite material forms a green state composite component. The feature forming tool comprises one or more forming members, supported by a frame, for forming one or more features of the composite component. The method also may include sealing a bag around the composite material before deploying a feature forming tool and removing the feature forming tool and the bag after processing the composite material.

Abstract: An additively manufactured fastener and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The fastener includes a shank defining an internal passageway and a head defining a distribution plenum in fluid communication with the internal passageway. The head further defines a cooling face defining a plurality of cooling holes for receiving a flow of cooling air from the internal passageway and the distribution plenum. In addition, an impingement baffle is positioned in the distribution plenum and defines impingement holes for directing the flow of cooling air onto the cooling face.