Abstract: Ionic liquid bath plating methods for depositing aluminum-containing layers utilizing shaped consumable aluminum anodes are provided, as are turbomachine components having three dimensionally-tailored, aluminum-containing coatings produced from such aluminum-containing layers. In one embodiment, the ionic liquid bath plating method includes the step or process of obtaining a consumable aluminum anode including a workpiece-facing anode surface substantially conforming with the geometry of the non-planar workpiece surface. The workpiece-facing anode surface and the non-planar workpiece surface are positioned in an adjacent, non-contacting relationship, while the workpiece and the consumable aluminum anode are submerged in an ionic liquid aluminum plating bath. An electrical potential is then applied across the consumable aluminum anode and the workpiece to deposit an aluminum-containing layer onto the non-planar workpiece surface.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating wires insulated by low porosity glass coatings are provided, as are high temperature electromagnetic (EM) devices containing such wires. In embodiments, a method for fabricating a high temperature EM device includes applying a glass coating precursor material onto a wire. The glass coating precursor material contains a first plurality of glass particles having an initial softening point. After application onto the wire, the glass coating precursor material is heat treated under process conditions producing a crystallized intermediary glass coating having a modified softening point exceeding the initial softening point. The crystallized intermediary glass coating is then infiltrated with a filler glass precursor material containing a second plurality of glass particles.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for fabricating heat exchangers and Heat Exchanger (HX) tubes, as are heat exchangers fabricated in accordance with such methods. In embodiments, the method includes fabricating an HX tube by at least partially forming the elongated tube body utilizing a cold spray process during which a metallic feedstock powder is deposited over a removable mandrel. The HX tube is separated from the removable mandrel at some juncture following cold spray deposition of the tube body.

Abstract: Embodiments of a methods for producing gas turbine engine rotors and other powdered metal articles having shaped internal cavities are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes consolidating a powdered metal body utilizing a hot isostatic pressing process to produce a rotor preform in which elongated sacrificial tubes are embedded. Acid or another solvent is directed into solvent inlet channels provided in the elongated sacrificial tubes to chemically dissolving the elongated sacrificial tubes and create shaped cavities within the rotor preform. The rotor preform is subject to further processing, such as machining, prior to or after chemical dissolution of the elongated sacrificial tubes to produce the completed gas turbine engine rotor.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for cleaning one or more cooling passages associated with a combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine. The gas turbine engine has a compressor section upstream from the combustion section. The method includes receiving a pressurized fluid from a source and directing the pressurized fluid through an inlet of a chamber such that a portion of a plurality of particles within the chamber is entrained within the pressurized fluid. The method includes injecting the pressurized fluid with the entrained portion of the plurality of particles downstream from the compressor section through an end wall of a diffuser and deswirl system upstream from a combustor plenum of the combustion section to clean the one or more cooling passages associated with the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A system and method of monitoring for sand plugging in a gas turbine engine includes sensing differential pressure across a combustor during engine operation. The sensed differential pressure is processed to determine an amount of sand plugging of combustor cooling holes, and an alert is generated when the amount of sand plugging exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Embodiments of a methods for producing gas turbine engine rotors and other powdered metal articles having shaped internal cavities are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes consolidating a powdered metal body utilizing a hot isostatic pressing process to produce a rotor preform in which elongated sacrificial tubes are embedded. Acid or another solvent is directed into solvent inlet channels provided in the elongated sacrificial tubes to chemically dissolving the elongated sacrificial tubes and create shaped cavities within the rotor preform. The rotor preform is subject to further processing, such as machining, prior to or after chemical dissolution of the elongated sacrificial tubes to produce the completed gas turbine engine rotor.

Abstract: Embodiments of a methods for producing gas turbine engine rotors and other powdered metal articles having shaped internal cavities are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes consolidating a powdered metal body utilizing a hot isostatic pressing process to produce a rotor preform in which elongated sacrificial tubes are embedded. Acid or another solvent is directed into solvent inlet channels provided in the elongated sacrificial tubes to chemically dissolving the elongated sacrificial tubes and create shaped cavities within the rotor preform. The rotor preform is subject to further processing, such as machining, prior to or after chemical dissolution of the elongated sacrificial tubes to produce the completed gas turbine engine rotor.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for fabricating heat exchangers and Heat Exchanger (HX) tubes, as are heat exchangers fabricated in accordance with such methods. In embodiments, the method includes fabricating an HX tube by at least partially forming the elongated tube body utilizing a cold spray process during which a metallic feedstock powder is deposited over a removable mandrel. The HX tube is separated from the removable mandrel at some juncture following cold spray deposition of the tube body.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for fabricating heat exchangers and Heat Exchanger (HX) tubes, as are heat exchangers fabricated in accordance with such methods. In embodiments, the method includes the steps or processes of obtaining a Non-Equilibrium Alloy (NEA) feedstock powder comprised of an alloy matrix throughout which at least one minority constituent is dispersed. The first minority constituent precipitates from the alloy matrix when the NEA feedstock powder is exposed to temperatures exceeding a critical temperature threshold (TCRITICAL) for a predetermined time period. A cold spray process is carried-out to at least partially form the HX tubes from the NEA feedstock powder; and the HX tubes are subsequently installed in the heat exchanger. The HX tubes are exposed to a maximum temperature (TSPRAY_MAX) during the cold spray process, which is maintained below TCRITICAL to substantially preserve the non-equilibrium state of the NEA feedstock powder through cold spray deposition.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for cleaning one or more cooling passages associated with a combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine. The gas turbine engine has a compressor section upstream from the combustion section. The method includes receiving a pressurized fluid from a source and directing the pressurized fluid through an inlet of a chamber such that a portion of a plurality of particles within the chamber is entrained within the pressurized fluid. The method includes injecting the pressurized fluid with the entrained portion of the plurality of particles downstream from the compressor section through an end wall of a diffuser and deswirl system upstream from a combustor plenum of the combustion section to clean the one or more cooling passages associated with the combustion chamber.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating wires insulated by low porosity glass coatings are provided, as are high temperature electromagnetic (EM) devices containing such wires. In embodiments, a method for fabricating a high temperature EM device includes applying a glass coating precursor material onto a wire. The glass coating precursor material contains a first plurality of glass particles having an initial softening point. after application onto the wire, the glass coating precursor material is heat treated under process conditions producing a crystallized intermediary glass coating having a modified softening point exceeding the initial softening point. The crystallized intermediary glass coating is then infiltrated with a filler glass precursor material containing a second plurality of glass particles.

Abstract: Vane impingement tubes having blockage deterrent features are provided, as turbine nozzles containing blockage-resistant vane impingement tubes. In an embodiment, the turbine nozzle includes inner and outer annular endwalls, and turbine nozzle vanes arranged in an annular array between the outer and inner annular endwalls. Vane impingement tubes are inserted into the turbine nozzle vanes. The vane impingement tubes each includes a tube body, an impingement outlet formed in the tube body and configured to discharge airflow for impingement against one of the turbine nozzle vanes, a first flow-turning feature located in the tube body, and an inlet formed in the tube body and configured receive cooling airflow in a substantially radial direction. The first flow-turning feature is shaped and positioned to turn the airflow received through the inlet in a substantially axial direction, which is perpendicular to the radial direction, prior to discharge through the impingement outlet.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for cleaning one or more cooling passages associated with a combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine. The gas turbine engine has a compressor section upstream from the combustion chamber. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving a pressurized fluid from a source; directing the pressurized fluid through an inlet of a chamber such that a portion of a plurality of particles within the chamber is entrained within the pressurized fluid; and injecting the pressurized fluid with the entrained portion of the plurality of particles downstream from the compressor section through an end wall of a diffuser and deswirl system of the gas turbine engine or through a plenum upstream from the combustion chamber to clean the one or more cooling passages associated with the combustion chamber.

Abstract: Ionic liquid bath plating methods for depositing aluminum-containing layers utilizing shaped consumable aluminum anodes are provided, as are turbomachine components having three dimensionally-tailored, aluminum-containing coatings produced from such aluminum-containing layers. In one embodiment, the ionic liquid bath plating method includes the step or process of obtaining a consumable aluminum anode including a workpiece-facing anode surface substantially conforming with the geometry of the non-planar workpiece surface. The workpiece-facing anode surface and the non-planar workpiece surface are positioned in an adjacent, non-contacting relationship, while the workpiece and the consumable aluminum anode are submerged in an ionic liquid aluminum plating bath. An electrical potential is then applied across the consumable aluminum anode and the workpiece to deposit an aluminum-containing layer onto the non-planar workpiece surface.

Abstract: A system and method of monitoring for sand plugging in a gas turbine engine includes sensing differential pressure across a combustor during engine operation. The sensed differential pressure is processed to determine an amount of sand plugging of combustor cooling holes, and an alert is generated when the amount of sand plugging exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Ionic liquid bath plating methods for depositing aluminum-containing layers utilizing shaped consumable aluminum anodes are provided, as are turbomachine components having three dimensionally-tailored, aluminum-containing coatings produced from such aluminum-containing layers. In one embodiment, the ionic liquid bath plating method includes the step or process of obtaining a consumable aluminum anode including a workpiece-facing anode surface substantially conforming with the geometry of the non-planar workpiece surface. The workpiece-facing anode surface and the non-planar workpiece surface are positioned in an adjacent, non-contacting relationship, while the workpiece and the consumable aluminum anode are submerged in an ionic liquid aluminum plating bath. An electrical potential is then applied across the consumable aluminum anode and the workpiece to deposit an aluminum-containing layer onto the non-planar workpiece surface.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for fabricating heat exchangers and Heat Exchanger (HX) tubes, as are heat exchangers fabricated in accordance with such methods. In embodiments, the method includes the steps or processes of obtaining a Non-Equilibrium Alloy (NEA) feedstock powder comprised of an alloy matrix throughout which at least one minority constituent is dispersed. The first minority constituent precipitates from the alloy matrix when the NEA feedstock powder is exposed to temperatures exceeding a critical temperature threshold (TCRITICAL) for a predetermined time period. A cold spray process is carried-out to at least partially form the HX tubes from the NEA feedstock powder; and the HX tubes are subsequently installed in the heat exchanger. The HX tubes are exposed to a maximum temperature (TSPRAY_MAX) during the cold spray process, which is maintained below TCRITICAL to substantially preserve the non-equilibrium state of the NEA feedstock powder through cold spray deposition.

Abstract: Methods for producing Non-Equilibrium Alloy (NEA) feedstock powders are disclosed, as are methods for fabricating articles from such NEA feedstock powders utilizing Additive Manufacturing (AM) cold spray processes. In various embodiments, the method includes the step or process obtaining an NEA feedstock powder, which is composed of an alloy matrix throughout which a first minority constituent is dispersed. The first minority constituent precipitates from the alloy matrix when the NEA feedstock powder is exposed to temperatures exceeding a critical temperature threshold (TCRITICAL) for a predetermined time period. An AM cold spray process is carried-out to produce a near-net article from the NEA feedstock powder, which is exposed to a maximum temperature (TSPRAY_MAX) during the cold spray process. The near-net article is then further processed to yield a finished article.

Abstract: Dual alloy Gas Turbine Engine (GTE) rotors and method for producing GTE rotors are provided. In one embodiment, the method include includes arranging bladed pieces in an annular grouping or ring formation such that shank-to-shank junctions are formed between circumferentially-adjacent bladed pieces. A first or bonding alloy is deposited along the shank-to-shank junctions utilizing a localized fusion deposition process to produce a plurality of alloy-filled joints, which join the bladed pieces in a bonded blade ring. The bonding alloy is preferably selected to have a ductility higher than and a melt point lower than the alloy from which the bladed pieces are produced. After deposition of the first alloy and formation of the alloy-filled joints, a hub disk is inserted into the central opening of the bonded blade ring. The hub disk and blade ring are then bonded utilizing, for example, a Hot Isostatic Pressing process.