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.

Abstract: At a first computer-enabled imaging device in a plurality of computer-enabled imaging devices, a first workflow including time-stamped images of a region of interest is obtained during a first time interval, and first meta data is associated with the second workflow. The first meta data includes positional and orientation data, the first time interval, and an identity of the first computer-enabled imaging device. Control signals are generated based on a characteristic of the first workflow, and then communicated to a second computer-enabled imaging device. In accordance with the control signals, the second computer-enabled imaging device obtains a second workflow including time-stamped images of the region of interest, and associates second meta data with the second workflow. A central system, or any computer-enabled imaging device in the plurality, consolidates the first and second workflows into a consolidated workflow for the region of interest using the first and second meta data.

Abstract: A tilting pad (80, 180) (TP) journal bearing (30, 32, 132) is used to support a rotating assembly of a turbocharger (10). The TP journal bearing (30, 32, 132) includes a cylindrical outer ring (60, 160) and tilting pads (80, 180) disposed within the outer ring (60, 160). The tilting pads (80, 180) are formed separately from the outer ring (60, 160) and secured thereto during assembly.

Abstract: At a central controlling system, a composite map is constructed based on a previous dataset that includes (A) images of a target obtained by imaging devices at a first time, and (B) respective meta data associated with the images. Imaging devices collect image data during a second time after the first time. In accordance with the composite map, the imaging devices obtain images of the target and associate meta data with the images. The images and respective meta data are communicated to the central controlling system. The positions and orientations of the imaging devices when the respective images were obtained, and when the images were obtained, are used to index the images against the target, thereby aggregating multi-dimensional data for the target. Temporal information about a characteristic of the target over time is then extracted from the aggregated multi-dimensional data.

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: A locatable object includes a microprocessor for operating the object, and a memory for storing at least a first position and a second position. The locatable object also includes an instrument recovery system integrated into the object. The instrument recovery system further includes a receiver for determining the location of an object, and a communications device for communicating at least the second position to another system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for imaging using a plurality of light sources is provided. An imaging device comprises a housing, a lens within the housing, a plurality of light source sets attached or integrated into the housing, a two-dimensional pixelated detector within the housing in optical communication with the lens, memory and a controller. Each respective light source set comprises a plurality of lights uniformly radially distributed about the lens. A first light source set in the plurality sets emits light substantially limited to a first spectral range. A second light source set in the plurality of sets emits light substantially limited to a second spectral range other than the first range. At least one program non-transiently stored in the memory and executable by the controller sequentially and independently fired each light source set while collecting light using the pixelated detector. An imaging device can be integrated with a mobile device.

Abstract: A latch is disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method for capturing and consolidating multi-spectral image data for regions of interest using one or more spectral boost mechanisms or techniques is disclosed. A first multi-spectral or hyperspectral workflow comprising time-stamped two-dimensional pixelated images of a region of interest is obtained by a first computer-enabled imaging device. Each of the images corresponds to image data captured for a respective frequency band of a plurality of frequency bands. First meta data is associated with the images of the first workflow and includes: a plurality of first positions and first orientations of the first imaging device indicating first positional and orientation data for the first imaging device, and indications of a respective frequency band for each of the images of the first workflow. A consolidated multi-spectral workflow for the region of interest is generated, which includes spectrally and spatially consolidating the images of the first workflow using the first meta data.

Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The combustor is described as comprising a dome plate coupled to a liner thereof, with at least one heat shield comprised of a ceramic matrix composite coupled at the aft end of the dome plate. Also described is a method for assembling a combustor for a gas turbine engine, including releasing a metal alloy heat shield from a dome plate and providing a ceramic matrix composite heat shield as replacement.

Abstract: A turbocharger (10) includes a housing (12, 14, 16) and an actuating mechanism (46) for actuating a device (40) within the housing (12, 14, 16). A pivot shaft (42) has an inside end (48) inside the housing (12, 14, 16) and an outside end (82) outside the housing (12, 14, 16). The pivot shaft (42) is rotatably mounted in a bore (64) in the housing (12, 14, 16) for transmitting an actuating movement from outside the housing (12, 14, 16) to the actuating mechanism (46). A bushing (62) is disposed in the bore (64). The bushing (62) includes an asymmetric portion (68) that extends inside the housing (12, 14, 16) to support the inside end (48) of the pivot shaft (42).

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: 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 are provided. For example, a combustor assembly includes a combustor liner defining a combustion chamber and an annular combustor dome positioned at a forward end of the combustor liner that defines a plurality of dome apertures. The combustor assembly further includes an annular heat shield positioned between the combustor dome and the combustion chamber, a plurality of adapters positioned forward of the heat shield, and a plurality of collars. The heat shield defines a plurality of heat shield apertures that are aligned with the dome apertures. One adapter is attached to the combustor dome at each dome aperture, and the adapters are. One collar extends through each heat shield aperture to couple the heat shield to the combustor dome. Further, ceramic matrix composite (CMC) heat shields are provided that may include an annular body defining a plurality of heat shield apertures, as well as inner and outer wings.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a sealing system for a turbine engine including an engine component, the engine component defining an oblique sealing surface defining an annular shape. The oblique sealing surface defines an oblique angle with a centerline of the engine component. The sealing system includes a seal housing and a seal ring. The seal housing is annular and includes a groove that is defined by a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and an end wall connecting the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The seal ring is positioned at least partially within the groove in the seal housing. The seal ring defines a seal contact surface for forming a seal with the oblique sealing surface of the engine component.

Abstract: A self-contained battery-operated device is fixedly mounted to a drone device in a plurality of drone devices. The first self-contained battery-operated device includes one or more processors, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a location detection device, a two-dimensional pixilated detector, and memory, all connected by a common bus. Time-stamped images of an environmental region are captured using the two-dimensional pixilated detector at a time when the drone device is airborne. For each of the captured time-stamped images, a respective set of meta data is obtained, which includes (1) rotational values obtained using the gyroscope, indicating a relative orientation of the self-contained battery-operated device with respect to a respective reference orientation at a time of image capture, and (2) location information obtained using the location detection device at a time of image capture. The time-stamped images and the respective sets of meta data are sent to a remote processing device.

Abstract: At a computer-enabled imaging device, a workflow including a plurality of time-stamped images is obtained. Each time-stamped image has a respective time point at which the respective time-stamped image was obtained. A first plurality of time-stamped accelerometer interval readings and a first plurality of time-stamped interval gyroscope readings are acquired, each of the readings having a respective time point at which the respective reading was acquired. A first real-time translational and rotational trajectory of the first computer-enabled imaging device is thereby obtained. Time-stamped coordinates of feature points in the first workflow are acquired at a plurality of time points during which the time-stamped images were acquired. A first dataset including the workflow, time-stamped coordinates, the real-time translational and rotational trajectory, and translational movement of the coordinates of the feature points is communicated to a data processing and display system for image processing and analysis.

Abstract: A flowpath apparatus for a gas turbine engine includes: a plurality of ducts arranged in an array, each duct including a peripheral wall structure having a closed perimeter that defines a flow channel from an upstream end to a downstream end thereof; and a support structure positioning a the plurality of ducts in an array configuration.