Abstract: A method for repairing a part and the resulting is disclosed. The method includes positioning a plug having an inner braze element coupled thereto into a cavity defined by an internal surface of a component. The cavity has a circular cross-section at the external surface of the component. The plug completely fills the circular cross-section and the inner braze element is within the cavity. A braze paste is positioned at least partially around the plug at the external surface. The component is positioned such that the inner braze element is above the plug. The component is subjected to a thermal cycle to melt the inner braze element around the plug, completely sealing the cavity by forming a metallurgical bond with the plug and the internal surface of the component. During the thermal cycle the braze paste is melted to form a metallurgical bond with the plug and external surface.

Abstract: A method for repairing a part and the resulting is disclosed. The method includes positioning a plug having an inner braze element coupled thereto into a cavity defined by an internal surface of a component. The cavity has a circular cross-section at the external surface of the component. The plug completely fills the circular cross-section and the inner braze element is within the cavity. A braze paste is positioned at least partially around the plug at the external surface. The component is positioned such that the inner braze element is above the plug. The component is subjected to a thermal cycle to melt the inner braze element around the plug, completely sealing the cavity by forming a metallurgical bond with the plug and the internal surface of the component. During the thermal cycle the braze paste is melted to form a metallurgical bond with the plug and external surface.

Abstract: An insulated electrical component of an insulated electrical machine includes a conducting element, a first radiographically-visible conductor sensor node coupled to the conducting element, at least one second radiographically-visible conductor sensor node coupled to the conducting element a first distance in a predetermined direction from the first radiographically-visible conductor sensor node, and an insulating material bonded to the conducting element. In some embodiments, the insulated electrical component further includes a first radiographically-visible insulator sensor node coupled to the insulating material and not coupled to the conducting element and at least one second radiographically-visible insulator sensor node coupled to the insulating material and not coupled to the conducting element a second distance from the first radiographically-visible insulator sensor node.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a joining preform includes the step of printing a self-fluxing joining alloy. Joining includes brazing and soldering. The self-fluxing joining alloy contains at least one of phosphorus, boron, fluorine, chlorine, or potassium. Another printing step prints a non-phosphorous joining alloy. Both printing steps are performed by an additive manufacturing or 3D printing process. The printing a self-fluxing joining alloy step may be repeated until the non-phosphorous joining alloy is substantially encapsulated by the self-fluxing joining alloy. The self-fluxing joining alloy may be a BCuP alloy, a CuP alloy, a CuSnP alloy, a CuSnNiP alloy or a CuAgP alloy. The non-phosphorous joining alloy may be a BAg alloy, a BNi alloy or a BAu alloy.

Abstract: A component, a method of making a component and a method of monitoring strain. The component has an array of internal nodes with a radiopacity distinct from the predominant radiopacity of the component. Displacement of the nodes can be measured and used to calculate strain on the component.

Abstract: An insulated electrical component of an insulated electrical machine includes a conducting element, a first radiographically-visible conductor sensor node coupled to the conducting element, at least one second radiographically-visible conductor sensor node coupled to the conducting element a first distance in a predetermined direction from the first radiographically-visible conductor sensor node, and an insulating material bonded to the conducting element. In some embodiments, the insulated electrical component further includes a first radiographically-visible insulator sensor node coupled to the insulating material and not coupled to the conducting element and at least one second radiographically-visible insulator sensor node coupled to the insulating material and not coupled to the conducting element a second distance from the first radiographically-visible insulator sensor node.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a joining preform includes the step of printing a self-fluxing joining alloy. Joining includes brazing and soldering. The self-fluxing joining alloy contains at least one of phosphorus, boron, fluorine, chlorine, or potassium. Another printing step prints a non-phosphorous joining alloy. Both printing steps are performed by an additive manufacturing or 3D printing process. The printing a self-fluxing joining alloy step may be repeated until the non-phosphorous joining alloy is substantially encapsulated by the self-fluxing joining alloy. The self-fluxing joining alloy may be a BCuP alloy, a CuP alloy, a CuSnP alloy, a CuSnNiP alloy or a CuAgP alloy. The non-phosphorous joining alloy may be a BAg alloy, a BNi alloy or a BAu alloy.

Abstract: A cast alloy is generally provided, along with methods of forming the cast alloy and components constructed from the cast alloy (e.g., stationary components of a turbine). The cast alloy can include, by weight, 0.12% to 0.20% carbon, 0.50% to 0.90% manganese, 0.25% to 0.60% silicon, 0.10% to 0.50% nickel, 1.15% to 1.50% chromium, 0.90% to 1.50% molybdenum, 0.70% to 0.80% vanadium, 0.0075% to 0.060% titanium, 0.008% to 0.012% boron, the balance iron, optionally low levels of other alloying constituents, and incidental impurities.

Abstract: A coating system and processes by which the coating system can be deposited on a surface region of a component to be resistant to erosion, and particularly resistant to erosion caused by high moisture content environments. The coating system includes a diffusion barrier layer, an intermediate layer overlying the diffusion barrier layer, and an outermost layer overlying the intermediate layer. The diffusion barrier layer is capable of inhibiting diffusion of damaging elements therethrough. The intermediate layer is an erosion-resistant material, having a hardness that is greater than the diffusion barrier layer, and being deposited by a near-net-shape laser deposition process. The outermost layer is erosion-resistant material, having a hardness that is greater that the hardness of the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer has a thickness of greater than the diffusion barrier layer and the outermost layer.

Abstract: A cast alloy is generally provided, along with methods of forming the cast alloy and components constructed from the cast alloy (e.g., stationary components of a turbine). The cast alloy can include, by weight, 0.12% to 0.20% carbon, 0.50% to 0.90% manganese, 0.25% to 0.60% silicon, 0.10% to 0.50% nickel, 1.15% to 1.50% chromium, 0.90% to 1.50% molybdenum, 0.70% to 0.80% vanadium, 0.0075% to 0.060% titanium, 0.008% to 0.012% boron, the balance iron, optionally low levels of other alloying constituents, and incidental impurities.

Abstract: A coating system and processes by which the coating system can be deposited on a surface region of a component to be resistant to erosion, and particularly resistant to erosion caused by high moisture content environments. The coating system includes a diffusion barrier layer, an intermediate layer overlying the diffusion barrier layer, and an outermost layer overlying the intermediate layer. The diffusion barrier layer is capable of inhibiting diffusion of damaging elements therethrough. The intermediate layer is an erosion-resistant material, having a hardness that is greater than the diffusion barrier layer, and being deposited by a near-net-shape laser deposition process. The outermost layer is erosion-resistant material, having a hardness that is greater that the hardness of the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer has a thickness of greater than the diffusion barrier layer and the outermost layer.

Abstract: A system for forming a brazed joint between a tie wire and a workpiece, and methods therefor are presented. The system includes: a braze chamber including an induction heating coil, the induction heating coil having magnetic flux concentrators thereon; and a controller receiving a temperature feedback signal from a temperature sensor on a tie wire and controlling a temperature of a section of the tie wire to be brazed by controlling an electrical current applied to the induction heating coil.

Abstract: A brazing method is provided including the steps of, preplacing a braze alloy on a first plurality of conductive strands, the first plurality of conductive strands comprising a first stator bar, preplacing a braze alloy on a second plurality of conductive strands, the second plurality of conductive strands comprising a second stator bar, and heating at least a portion of the first stator bar to join the first plurality of conductive strands and the second stator bar to join the second plurality of conductive strands. Another step is used for electrically connecting the first stator bar to the second stator bar.

Abstract: A brazing method includes the steps of providing a first part and a second part, at least a first portion of the first part configured to fit inside a second portion of the second part, preplacing a non-self-fluxing braze alloy on one or more of the first portion and the second portion, thermally treating at least one of the first portion and the second portion, to create a temperature differential between the first portion and the second portion, inserting the first portion into the second portion, and heating at least one of the first portion and the second portion to melt the non-self-fluxing braze alloy. The first portion is joined by brazing to the second portion.

Abstract: A brazing method for a dynamoelectric machine is provided, and includes the steps of providing a first dynamoelectric machine part and a second dynamoelectric machine part, where a first portion of the first dynamoelectric machine part is configured to fit inside a second portion of the second dynamoelectric machine part. A step of preplacing a non-self-fluxing braze alloy on the first portion or the second portion. A step of thermally treating the first portion or the second portion, to create a temperature differential and size differential between the first portion and the second portion. A step of inserting the first portion into the second portion, and heating at least one of the first portion and the second portion to melt the non-self-fluxing braze alloy. The first portion is joined to the second portion by brazing in air, without the use of a flux, vacuum or inert atmosphere.

Abstract: A brazing method includes the steps of providing a first part and a second part, at least a first portion of the first part is configured to fit inside a second portion of the second part, preplacing a first self-fluxing braze alloy on one or more of the first portion and second portion, preplacing a non-phosphorous braze alloy on the first self-fluxing braze alloy, preplacing another layer of the first self-fluxing braze alloy on the non-phosphorous braze alloy, thermally treating at least one of the first portion and second portion, to create a temperature differential between the first portion and second portion, inserting the first portion into the second portion, and heating at least one of the first portion and second portion to melt both layers of the first self-fluxing braze alloy and the non-phosphorous braze alloy. The first portion is joined by brazing to the second portion.

Abstract: A method for handling a stator bar at a braze station including: lifting the stator bar from a platform, wherein the stator bar is in a substantially horizontal orientation on the platform; turning the stator bar from the horizontal orientation to an orientation at least 45 degrees from horizontal; aligning an upper end of the bar with a brazing station and positioning a lower end of the bar in a pit; turning the bar to reverse positions of the ends of the bar, and returning the stator bar to a horizontal orientation.

Abstract: A method for handling a stator bar at a braze station including: lifting the stator bar from a platform, wherein the stator bar is in a substantially horizontal orientation on the platform; turning the stator bar from the horizontal orientation to an orientation at least 45 degrees from horizontal; aligning an upper end of the bar with a brazing station and positioning a lower end of the bar in a pit; turning the bar to reverse positions of the ends of the bar, and returning the stator bar to a horizontal orientation.

Abstract: A method for handling a stator bar at a stator bar facility having a stator bar workstation, an in-ground pit proximate to and at an elevation below the workstation and a stator bar transport proximate to the in-ground pit including: loading the stator bar onto the stator bar transport; turning the stator bar at least 45 degrees in a vertical plane; positioning at least a third of a length of the stator bar down into the in-ground pit, aligning a first end of the bar with the workstation, and turning the bar to reverse positions of the ends of the bar, such that a second end of the bar is aligned with the workstation.

Abstract: A system for forming a brazed joint between a tie wire and a workpiece, and methods therefor are presented. The system includes: a braze chamber including an induction heating coil, the induction heating coil having magnetic flux concentrators thereon; and a controller receiving a temperature feedback signal from a temperature sensor on a tie wire and controlling a temperature of a section of the tie wire to be brazed by controlling an electrical current applied to the induction heating coil.