Abstract: A core assembly for a turbine engine blade includes a generally radially extending trunk interconnected to multiple generally axially extending tabs. The tabs are interconnected by a generally radially extending ligament. Multiple generally axially extending protrusions are interconnected to the ligament opposite the trunk. A mold is configured to define an exterior surface of an airfoil. The core is arranged within the mold and is configured such that the tabs and the ligament break through at the exterior surface.

Abstract: An airfoil for a turbine engine includes a structure having a cooling passage that has a generally radially extending cooling passageway arranged interiorly relative to an exterior surface of the structure. The cooling passageway includes multiple cooling slots extending there from toward the exterior surface and interconnected by a radially extending trench. The trench breaks the exterior surface, and the exterior surface provides the lateral walls of the trench. The airfoil is manufactured by providing a core having multiple generally axially extending tabs and a generally radially extending ligament interconnecting the tabs. The structure is formed about the core to provide the airfoil with its exterior surface. The ligament breaks the exterior surface to form the radially extending trench in the exterior surface of the structure.

Abstract: An airfoil for a turbine engine includes a structure having a cooling passage that has a generally radially extending cooling passageway arranged interiorly relative to an exterior surface of the structure. The cooling passageway includes multiple cooling slots extending there from toward the exterior surface and interconnected by a radially extending trench. The trench breaks the exterior surface, and the exterior surface provides the lateral walls of the trench. The airfoil is manufactured by providing a core having multiple generally axially extending tabs and a generally radially extending ligament interconnecting the tabs. The structure is formed about the core to provide the airfoil with its exterior surface. The ligament breaks the exterior surface to form the radially extending trench in the exterior surface of the structure.

Abstract: An airfoil for a turbine engine includes a structure having a cooling passage that has a generally radially extending cooling passageway arranged interiorly relative to an exterior surface of the structure. The cooling passageway includes multiple cooling slots extending there from toward the exterior surface and interconnected by a radially extending trench. The trench breaks the exterior surface, and the exterior surface provides the lateral walls of the trench. The airfoil is manufactured by providing a core having multiple generally axially extending tabs and a generally radially extending ligament interconnecting the tabs. The structure is formed about the core to provide the airfoil with its exterior surface. The ligament breaks the exterior surface to form the radially extending trench in the exterior surface of the structure.

Abstract: A turbine engine component has an airfoil portion having a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a tip. The component further has a first cooling microcircuit embedded in a pressure side wall, a second cooling microcircuit embedded in a suction side wall, and a system for cooling the tip comprising a first tip cooling microcircuit receiving cooling fluid from the first cooling microcircuit and a second tip cooling microcircuit receiving cooling fluid from the second cooling microcircuit.

Abstract: An airfoil for a turbine engine includes a structure having a cooling passage that has a generally radially extending cooling passageway arranged interiorly relative to an exterior surface of the structure. The cooling passageway includes multiple cooling slots extending there from toward the exterior surface and interconnected by a radially extending trench. The trench breaks the exterior surface, and the exterior surface provides the lateral walls of the trench. The airfoil is manufactured by providing a core having multiple generally axially extending tabs and a generally radially extending ligament interconnecting the tabs. The structure is formed about the core to provide the airfoil with its exterior surface. The ligament breaks the exterior surface to form the radially extending trench in the exterior surface of the structure.

Abstract: A process for forming an airfoil portion of a turbine engine component, such as a turbine blade, is described. The process comprises the steps of placing a ceramic core having a configuration of a passageway to be formed in the airfoil portion within a mold, attaching a refractory metal core element to the ceramic core to stabilize a tip region of the ceramic core, and casting the airfoil portion.

Abstract: A turbine engine component has an airfoil portion having a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a tip. The component further has a first cooling microcircuit embedded in a pressure side wall, a second cooling microcircuit embedded in a suction side wall, and a system for cooling the tip comprising a first tip cooling microcircuit receiving cooling fluid from the first cooling microcircuit and a second tip cooling microcircuit receiving cooling fluid from the second cooling microcircuit.