Abstract: A core structure (10) includes a first core element (16) including a leading edge section (30), a tip section (32), and a turn section (34) joining the leading edge and tip sections (30, 32). The first core element (16) is adapted to be used to form a leading edge cooling circuit (102) in a gas turbine engine airfoil (100). The leading edge cooling circuit (102) includes a cooling fluid passage (104) having a leading edge portion (106) formed by the first core element leading edge section (30), a tip portion (108) formed by the first core element tip section (32), and a turn portion (110) formed by the first core element turn section (34). Each of the leading edge portion (106), the tip portion (108), and the turn portion (110) of the cooling fluid passage (104) are formed concurrently in the airfoil (100) by the first core element (16).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a turbine blade (12) comprising a leading edge cooling circuit (30), a trailing edge cooling circuit (34), a mid-section cooling circuit (32) comprising a first channel (32a), an intermediate channel (32b), and a final channel (32c), and an axial tip cooling circuit (56). The leading edge, mid-section, and trailing edge cooling circuits (30, 32, 34) each receive a cooling airflow (CF) from a cooling air supply. A radially outer portion of each of the leading edge and mid-section cooling circuits (30, 32) further comprises at least one outlet (62, 64) in fluid communication with the axial tip cooling circuit (56) such that substantially all of a leading edge cooling airflow (LEF) exiting the leading edge cooling circuit (30) and substantially all of a mid-section cooling airflow (MSF) exiting the mid-section cooling circuit (32) is directed to the axial tip cooling circuit (56).

Abstract: An airfoil (10) for a gas turbine engine in which the airfoil (10) includes an internal cooling system (14) with one or more internal cavities (16) having an insert (18) contained therein that forms nearwall cooling channels (20) having enhanced flow patterns is disclosed. The flow of cooling fluids in the nearwall cooling channels (20) may be controlled via a plurality of cooling fluid flow controllers (22) extending from the outer wall (24) forming the generally hollow elongated airfoil (26). The cooling fluid flow controllers (22) may be collected into spanwise extending rows (28), and the internal cooling system (14) may include one or more bypass flow reducers (30) extending from the insert (18) toward the outer wall (24) to direct the cooling fluids through the channels (20) created by the cooling fluid flow controllers (22), thereby increasing the effectiveness of the internal cooling system (14).

Abstract: A core structure (10) includes a first core element (16) including a leading edge section (30), a tip section (32), and a turn section (34) joining the leading edge and tip sections (30, 32). The first core element (16) is adapted to be used to form a leading edge cooling circuit (102) in a gas turbine engine airfoil (100). The leading edge cooling circuit (102) includes a cooling fluid passage (104) having a leading edge portion (106) formed by the first core element leading edge section (30), a tip portion (108) formed by the first core element tip section (32), and a turn portion (110) formed by the first core element turn section (34). Each of the leading edge portion (106), the tip portion (108), and the turn portion (110) of the cooling fluid passage (104) are formed concurrently in the airfoil (100) by the first core element (16).

Abstract: An airfoil (10) for a gas turbine engine in which the airfoil (10) includes an internal cooling system (14) with one or more internal cavities (16) having an insert (18) contained therein that forms nearwall cooling channels (20) having enhanced flow patterns is disclosed. The flow of cooling fluids in the nearwall cooling channels (20) may be controlled via a plurality of cooling fluid flow controllers (22) extending from the outer wall (24) forming the generally hollow elongated airfoil (26). The cooling fluid flow controllers (22) may be collected into spanwise extending rows (28), and the internal cooling system (14) may include one or more bypass flow reducers (30) extending from the insert (18) toward the outer wall (24) to direct the cooling fluids through the channels (20) created by the cooling fluid flow controllers (22), thereby increasing the effectiveness of the internal cooling system (14).

Abstract: An airfoil cooling arrangement (12), including: a leading edge chamber (54) configured to cool an interior surface (68) of an airfoil; and an impingement orifice (60) configured to direct an impingement jet (64) toward an impingement location (66) disposed on the interior surface and offset from a camber line (28) of the airfoil The airfoil cooling arrangement is effective to guide post impingement cooling fluid along the interior surface, through a leading portion (76) of the leading edge chamber, and then back toward a trailing edge (22) of the airfoil in a helical motion (114).

Abstract: An airfoil for a gas turbine engine in which the airfoil includes an internal cooling system formed from one or more midchord cooling channels with a corrugated insert positioned therein and creating nearwall leading edge, pressure side and suction side nearwall cooling channels.

Abstract: An investment casting method for a cast ceramic core (110), including an airfoil portion (116) shaped to define an inner surface (56) of an airfoil (52) of a vane segment (50) and an integral shell portion (122) having a backside-shaping surface (120) shaped to define a backside surface (68) of a shroud (62) of the vane segment. The backside-shaping surface has a higher elevation (132) and a lower elevation (134). The higher elevation is set apart from a nearest point (138) on the airfoil portion by the lower elevation. The airfoil portion and the shell portion are cast as a monolithic body during a single casting pour.

Abstract: A cast ceramic core (110), including: an airfoil portion (116) shaped to define an inner surface (56) of an airfoil (52) of a vane segment (50); and a shell portion (122) having a backside-shaping surface (120) shaped to define a backside surface (68) of a shroud (62) of the vane segment. The backside-shaping surface has a higher elevation (132) and a lower elevation (134). The higher elevation is set apart from a nearest point (138) on the airfoil portion by the lower elevation. The airfoil portion and the shell portion are cast as a monolithic body during a single casting pour.

Abstract: An investment casting method for a cast ceramic core (110), including an airfoil portion (116) shaped to define an inner surface (56) of an airfoil (52) of a vane segment (50) and an integral shell portion (122) having a backside-shaping surface (120) shaped to define a backside surface (68) of a shroud (62) of the vane segment. The backside-shaping surface has a higher elevation (132) and a lower elevation (134). The higher elevation is set apart from a nearest point (138) on the airfoil portion by the lower elevation. The airfoil portion and the shell portion are cast as a monolithic body during a single casting pour.