Abstract: A method of repairing a superalloy component includes a series of sequential steps. The steps are, cleaning the component, applying brazing material to the component, heat treating the component, inspecting the component, preparing the surface of the component, welding the component, and performing a second inspection of the component. The superalloy component is comprised of a high gamma prime superalloy.

Abstract: Methods of repair of a component or adding material to a component using laser welding are disclosed. One method may include repairing or adding material to the component by laser irradiating a wire material with a laser in an inert gas in a vicinity of the component. The laser irradiating the wire material includes modulated pulsing the laser through: a warm up phase during which an on-power of the laser is increased over time to a maximum target on-power, a melt and bond phase during which the wire material is melted and during which the on-power is less than the maximum target on-power, and a stress releasing phase during which the on-power of the laser is less than the on-power during the melt and bond phase. The laser irradiated wire material forms a weld material to repair a damaged area or add material to the component.

Abstract: Methods of forming or repairing a tip rail of a turbine are disclosed. One method may include repairing the tip rail, or adding material to form the tip rail, by laser irradiating a wire material with a laser in an inert gas in a vicinity of a tip plate. The laser irradiating the wire material includes modulated pulsing the laser through: a warm up phase during which an on-power of the laser is increased over time to a maximum target on-power, a melt and bond phase during which the wire material is melted and during which the on-power is less than the maximum target on-power, and a stress releasing phase during which the on-power of the laser is less than the on-power during the melt and bond phase. Exterior surface coatings and/or TBC may be sprayed onto the tip rail to protect it.

Abstract: Methods of forming or repairing a tip rail of a turbine are disclosed. One method may include repairing the tip rail, or adding material to form the tip rail, by laser irradiating a wire material with a laser in an inert gas in a vicinity of a tip plate. The laser irradiating the wire material includes modulated pulsing the laser through: a warm up phase during which an on-power of the laser is increased over time to a maximum target on-power, a melt and bond phase during which the wire material is melted and during which the on-power is less than the maximum target on-power, and a stress releasing phase during which the on-power of the laser is less than the on-power during the melt and bond phase. Exterior surface coatings and/or TBC may be sprayed onto the tip rail to protect it.

Abstract: Methods of repair of a component or adding material to a component using laser welding are disclosed. One method may include repairing or adding material to the component by laser irradiating a wire material with a laser in an inert gas in a vicinity of the component. The laser irradiating the wire material includes modulated pulsing the laser through: a warm up phase during which an on-power of the laser is increased over time to a maximum target on-power, a melt and bond phase during which the wire material is melted and during which the on-power is less than the maximum target on-power, and a stress releasing phase during which the on-power of the laser is less than the on-power during the melt and bond phase. The laser irradiated wire material forms a weld material to repair a damaged area or add material to the component.

Abstract: A method of repairing a superalloy component includes a series of sequential steps. The steps are, cleaning the component, applying brazing material to the component, heat treating the component, inspecting the component, preparing the surface of the component, welding the component, and performing a second inspection of the component. The superalloy component is comprised of a high gamma prime superalloy.

Abstract: A back contact integrated photovoltaic cell includes a substrate having a dielectric surface and a patterned metal layer with parallel spaced alternately positive and negative electrode fingers forming an interdigitated two-terminal structure over the dielectric surface of the substrate. A dielectric filler may be in the interstices of separation between adjacent spaced parts of the patterned metal layer. Parallel spaced strips, alternately of p+ doped polysilicon and of n+ doped polysilicon, may top the positive and negative interdigitated electrode fingers, respectively, and form doped p-type active regions and n-type active regions of the integrated photovoltaic cell, spaced and isolated by a strip of undoped or negligibly doped polysilicon. An n? or p? doped or intrinsic semiconducting layer of at least partly crystallized silicon, forming a semiconductor region of thickness adapted to maximize absorption of photonic energy when illuminated by sunlight, may cover the interdigitated active doped regions.

Abstract: A back contact integrated photovoltaic cell includes a substrate having a dielectric surface and a patterned metal layer with parallel spaced alternately positive and negative electrode fingers forming an interdigitated two-terminal structure over the dielectric surface of the substrate. A dielectric filler may be in the interstices of separation between adjacent spaced parts of the patterned metal layer. Parallel spaced strips, alternately of p+ doped polysilicon and of n+ doped polysilicon, may top the positive and negative interdigitated electrode fingers, respectively, and form doped p-type active regions and n-type active regions of the integrated photovoltaic cell, spaced and isolated by a strip of undoped or negligibly doped polysilicon. An n? or p? doped or intrinsic semiconducting layer of at least partly crystallized silicon, forming a semiconductor region of thickness adapted to maximize absorption of photonic energy when illuminated by sunlight, may cover the interdigitated active doped regions.