Abstract: An apparatus and computer program are disclosed for processing at least one workpiece using a rotary tool with rotating member for contacting and processing the workpiece. The methods include oscillating the rotary tool laterally with respect to a selected propagation path for the rotating member with respect to the workpiece to define an oscillation path for the rotating member. The methods further include obtaining force signals or parameters related to the force experienced by the rotary tool at least while the rotating member is disposed at the extremes of the oscillation. The force signals or parameters associated with the extremes can then be analyzed to determine a lateral position of the selected path with respect to a target path and a lateral offset value can be determined based on the lateral position. The lateral distance between the selected path and the target path can be decreased based on the lateral offset value.

Abstract: An apparatus and computer program are disclosed for processing at least one workpiece using a rotary tool with rotating member for contacting and processing the workpiece. The methods include oscillating the rotary tool laterally with respect to a selected propagation path for the rotating member with respect to the workpiece to define an oscillation path for the rotating member. The methods further include obtaining force signals or parameters related to the force experienced by the rotary tool at least while the rotating member is disposed at the extremes of the oscillation. The force signals or parameters associated with the extremes can then be analyzed to determine a lateral position of the selected path with respect to a target path and a lateral offset value can be determined based on the lateral position. The lateral distance between the selected path and the target path can be decreased based on the lateral offset value.

Abstract: Friction stir methods are disclosed for processing at least one workpiece using a rotary tool with rotating member for contacting and processing the workpiece. The methods include oscillating the rotary tool laterally with respect to a selected propagation path for the rotating member with respect to the workpiece to define an oscillation path for the rotating member. The methods further include obtaining force signals or parameters related to the force experienced by the rotary tool at least while the rotating member is disposed at the extremes of the oscillation. The force signals or parameters associated with the extremes can then be analyzed to determine a lateral position of the selected path with respect to a target path and a lateral offset value can be determined based on the lateral position. The lateral distance between the selected path and the target path can be decreased based on the lateral offset value.

Abstract: Friction stir methods are disclosed for processing at least one workpiece using a rotary tool with rotating member for contacting and processing the workpiece. The methods include oscillating the rotary tool laterally with respect to a selected propagation path for the rotating member with respect to the workpiece to define an oscillation path for the rotating member. The methods further include obtaining force signals or parameters related to the force experienced by the rotary tool at least while the rotating member is disposed at the extremes of the oscillation. The force signals or parameters associated with the extremes can then be analyzed to determine a lateral position of the selected path with respect to a target path and a lateral offset value can be determined based on the lateral position. The lateral distance between the selected path and the target path can be decreased based on the lateral offset value.

Abstract: A friction stir system for processing at least a first workpiece includes a spindle actuator coupled to a rotary tool comprising a rotating member for contacting and processing the first workpiece. A detection system is provided for obtaining information related to a lateral alignment of the rotating member. The detection system comprises at least one sensor for measuring a force experienced by the rotary tool or a parameter related to the force experienced by the rotary tool during processing, wherein the sensor provides sensor signals. A signal processing system is coupled to receive and analyze the sensor signals and determine a lateral alignment of the rotating member relative to a selected lateral position, a selected path, or a direction to decrease a lateral distance relative to the selected lateral position or selected path.

Abstract: A friction stir system for processing at least a first workpiece includes a spindle actuator coupled to a rotary tool comprising a rotating member for contacting and processing the first workpiece. A detection system is provided for obtaining information related to a lateral alignment of the rotating member. The detection system comprises at least one sensor for measuring a force experienced by the rotary tool or a parameter related to the force experienced by the rotary tool during processing, wherein the sensor provides sensor signals. A signal processing system is coupled to receive and analyze the sensor signals and determine a lateral alignment of the rotating member relative to a selected lateral position, a selected path, or a direction to decrease a lateral distance relative to the selected lateral position or selected path.

Abstract: A friction stir system for processing at least a first workpiece includes a spindle actuator coupled to a rotary tool comprising a rotating member for contacting and processing the first workpiece. A detection system is provided for obtaining information related to a lateral alignment of the rotating member. The detection system comprises at least one sensor for measuring a force experienced by the rotary tool or a parameter related to the force experienced by the rotary tool during processing, wherein the sensor provides sensor signals. A signal processing system is coupled to receive and analyze the sensor signals and determine a lateral alignment of the rotating member relative to a selected lateral position, a selected path, or a direction to decrease a lateral distance relative to the selected lateral position or selected path.

Abstract: A swirler is provided for mixing air from a compressor and fuel from a fuel injector for discharge into a dome of a gas turbine engine combustor. The swirler includes a tubular ferrule for coaxially receiving the fuel injector. A plurality of circumferentially spaced apart swirl vanes are fixedly joined coaxially with the ferrule. An outlet tube is fixedly joined coaxially with the swirl vanes in flow communication therewith for receiving air from the swirlers and fuel from the fuel injector. An annular collar is fixedly joined around the outlet tube and has a convex spherical outer surface. An annular mounting flange for mounting the swirler to the combustor dome has a concave spherical inner surface disposed coaxially around the collar outer surface in a sliding fit therewith to define a ball joint for allowing relative rotation therebetween for self-aligning the fuel injector with the swirler.

Abstract: A metal or ceramic matrix composite part and corresponding method are provided exhibiting desired heat transfer characteristics. The part has a metal or ceramic matrix composite substrate and a multilayer dielectric coating. The coating has high reflectivity at wave lengths corresponding to radiation wavelengths of various combustion gases and has low reflectance at radiation wavelengths corresponding to the substrate. The multilayer coating allows the heat generated external of the part at wavelengths corresponding to combustion gases to be reflected from the part while permitting radiation wavelengths associated with the substrate to pass through the coating. The parts are useful for use in combustive gas atmospheres.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine fuel injection assembly includes a combustor case surrounding a combustor having a dome. An arcuate manifold is disposed inside the combustor case adjacent to the dome, and includes a plurality of fuel injectors disposed in flow communication therewith for receiving fuel for injection into the combustor. An inlet stem is joined in flow communication with the manifold for channeling fuel thereto, and includes an inner fitting disposed in a mounting port in the combustor case. A mounting adaptor is joined to the combustor case at the mounting port, and circumferentially engages the inner fitting to restrain torsional movement thereof. An outer fitting extends in the adaptor and engages the inner fitting in flow communication therewith for supplying fuel thereto.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine combustor is provided with a combustor dome plate film cooling means having an annular slotted ring to provide a film starting means upstream of a multi-hole film cooled single wall metal dome plate which is annular in shape. One particular embodiment provides a starting slot in the form of a plurality of rings surrounding the edges of the air/fuel nozzle inlet apertures in the dome plate. The cooling holes are disposed in concentric circles about the apertures and angled along radii emanating from the center of the apertures. This produces a cooling film emanating radially from the ring like circular slots around each air/fuel nozzle inlet aperture in the dome plate. Another embodiment provides a starting slot in the form of circumferential rails circumferentially disposed about the inner and outer circumferential edges of dome plate.

Abstract: An annular combustor includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending dilution poles disposed in an intermediate zone thereof between a forward combustion zone and an aft combustion zone. Adjacent ones of the dilution poles define therebetween a throat for receiving the combustion gases from the forward zone. The dilution poles include circumferentially facing dilution holes for injecting dilution air into the throats for mixing with the combustion gases being channeled therethrough. The dilution poles are effective for blocking the combustion gases at a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart locations and accelerating the combustion gases through the throats for reducing residence time in the throat. The dilution air is injected through the dilution holes for improved penetration into the combustion gases in the throats for mixing therewith to form lean combustion gases which undergo final combustion in the aft zone for reducing NO.sub.x emissions.

Abstract: A fuel manifold is disclosed for providing fuel to a combustor disposed radially inside an annular casing. The manifold is disposed inside the casing and includes an arcuate manifold tube, a thermal insulation layer surrounding the tube, and a cover layer surrounding the insulation layer which is substantially rigid for protecting the insulation layer from physical damage.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for welding edge joints such as turbine blades and the like, including adaptive tracking circuitry for maintaining the center of oscillation of the welding electrode substantially aligned with the center of the workpiece as the electrode is moved along the workpiece, and means for adjusting welding parameters such as welding current to prevent melt over of the edge and wirefeed rate to control overlay height as the welding electrode approaches to within a predetermined distance from the edge of the workpiece. The disclosed embodiment samples the arc signal, processes the arc signal to remove undesirable noise components, uses the processed signal to adaptively position the electrode with respect to the workpiece, and controls the welding parameters related to overlay height when the sensed position of the electrode reaches a predetermined distance from the edge of the workpiece.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for sensing the topography of a workpiece with an electrical arc by measuring a parameter of the electrical arc signal as an electrode is scanned across the surface of the workpiece by a tool manipulator such as a multi-axis robot arm, and processing the measured arc signal in order to derive the three-dimensional topography. The apparatus includes a digital microcomputer which samples the arc signal, stores a plurality of samples in computer memory, computes the average of a predetermined number of samples, and provides correction factors to the host computer of the robot manipulator so that the electrode or a tool carried by the robot can be adaptively positioned. The apparatus senses such features of the workpiece as holes, edges, and slopes of a given magnitude, and passes the location of these features to the host computer for appropriate corrective action.

Abstract: A template-matching adaptive control system for welding comprising noncontacting means for sensing the lateral profile of a weld joint while the welding electrode moves laterally across the joint, means for comparing the sensed lateral profile to a predetermined reference profile or "template", and means for adjusting a welding parameter, such as the center of oscillation for tracking, the width of oscillation, and constant fill control, in response to the results of the comparison. The comparison between the sensed lateral profile and the template is based upon a mathematical criterion of the degree of match therebetween. One disclosed embodiment performs control based upon finding the closest match between the sensed lateral profile and a plurality of different templates. Another embodiment performs control by making adjustments related to the value of the mathematical criterion. The disclosed embodiments employ programmed microprocessers to accomplish the template matching.

Abstract: An adaptive control system for welding which senses the lateral profile of a weld joint while the welding electrode moves laterally across the joint, compares a first portion of the sensed lateral profile to a second portion of the sensed lateral profile, and then adjusts a welding parameter, such as the center of oscillation for tracking, the width of oscillation, and constant fill control, in response to the results of the comparison. One disclosed signal processing technique matches an average of data samples for the left portion of the weld seam to an average of data samples for the right portion. Another disclosed technique involves comparing an integrated signal corresponding to the leftward portion of the sensed lateral profile to an integrated signal corresponding to the rightward portion.Another disclosed technique involves comparing an integrated sensed profile signal to a predetermined reference value which is based upon a reference signal.

Abstract: Apparatus for manipulating a welding torch independently along two axes. A torch support is provided to carry a welding torch or the like, and a motor is operatively coupled to position the torch support along a first path of travel relative to the weld joint. Another motor is operatively coupled to position the torch along a second path of travel orthogonal to the first path of travel.

Abstract: Apparatus for tracking a welding electrode (22) within a weld groove (12). As the welding arc struck between the electrode (22) and the workpiece (16) is oscillated laterally (14) within the groove means (28 and 30) are provided for supplying an indication of both the voltage drop between the electrode and the side wall of the groove as the arc approaches the side wall, and the width of the excursion of the arc from the center of oscillation to the point where the voltage is measured. The center of oscillation is then adjusted as a function of the measured width and voltage.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for rapid and automatic welding of joints which interconnect sections of pipe, and in particular oil or gas transmission pipe. The system includes at least one torch transport assembly which simultaneously moves one or more welding torches along a path parallel to the joint being welded. Selected operating parameters such as preheating power for the filler wire, of each welding torch are adjusted to accurately position each torch with respect to the joint, and to repeatably provide programmed welding parameters resulting in a uniform joint weld. The present system is disclosed in the context of hot-wire gas-tungsten arc welding torches.