Abstract: A turbine blade includes a root with a shank having a buttress extending from the shank bottom to an end of a turbine blade platform. The buttress provides increased structural integrity for a given shank mass, allowing mass reduction. With a shank wall and bottom of the platform, the buttress defines a pocket below the platform that can be part of a cooling circuit of the blade. The pocket can be on a suction side or pressure side of the root and can include portions or pockets on both sides of the root that can be in fluid communication with one another.

Abstract: A vibration dampening system is provided for a turbine nozzle or blade. A body opening extends through the turbine nozzle or blade, e.g., through the airfoil among potentially other parts of the nozzle or blade. A vibration dampening system includes a plurality of stacked damper pins within the body opening. Each damper pin includes an outer body having defined therein an inner opening and a plurality of side openings extending from the inner opening through an outer surface of the outer body; and an inner body that is nested and movable within the inner opening of the outer body. The inner body includes a first portion including a plurality of arms, each arm extending through a respective side opening of the outer body to frictionally engage the body opening. The end surfaces of the damper pins and the two bodies frictionally engage to dampen vibration.

Abstract: A damper element and a vibration dampening system including a plurality of the stacked damper elements, are provided. The damper element(s) may be used in a body opening in a rotating blade in a turbine. The damper elements include a head member having an at least partially ramped surface, and a plurality of flexible legs extending from the head member. Each flexible leg includes a radially extending body section having an end section, and the end section has an outer end surface and an inner end surface. Centrifugal force caused by rotation of the rotating blade cause the head member of an adjacent damper element to force the outer end surfaces of the plurality of flexible legs into frictional engagement with an inner surface of the body opening to dampen vibration. In certain embodiments, an elongated body may extend through an opening in the head member of the damper element(s).

Abstract: A damper element and a vibration dampening system including a plurality of the stacked damper elements, are provided. The damper element(s) may be used in a body opening in a rotating blade in a turbine. The damper elements include a head member having an at least partially ramped surface, an opening defined through a center of the head member, and a plurality of flexible legs extending from the head member. Each flexible leg includes a radially extending body section having an end section, which has an outer end surface and an inner end surface. An elongated body extends through the opening in the head member. Centrifugal force causes the head member of adjacent damper elements to force the outer end surfaces of the flexible legs into frictional engagement with an inner surface of the body opening to dampen vibration.

Abstract: A vibration dampening system includes damper element(s) in a body opening of a turbine component. A resonant-tuned elongated body extends through the damper element(s) in the body opening. The elongated body is configured to resonate at a predefined resonant frequency, such as the same resonant frequency as turbine component at the body opening, to generate a force against the damper element(s) in the body opening. The damper element(s) have a surface in contact with the body opening and/or elongated body.

Abstract: A damper element for a vibration dampening system may be used in a body opening in a rotating blade in a turbine. The damper element includes a base member, and a spring-suspended bearing member having a disc spring fixedly coupled to the base member at a center of the disc spring, and a bearing member coupled to a first side of the disc spring at an outer portion thereof. The bearing member extends radially distal from the first side of the disc spring. With the disc spring in an elastically extended state under influence of a centrifugal force caused by rotation of the rotating blade at higher than a predefined rotational speed, the bearing member frictionally engages a first bearing surface to dampen vibration. The friction-based vibration dampening interface experiences a reduced impact of the centrifugal forces of the rotating blade by providing a counteracting force reduction using the spring.

Abstract: A stator vane assembly includes a platform that defines an opening. The stator vane assembly further includes an airfoil segment that includes an airfoil and a boss. The airfoil includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, a suction side wall, and a pressure side wall. The airfoil extends radially between a base and a tip. The boss extends from at least one of the base or the tip of the airfoil. The boss is disposed in the opening of the platform. The stator vane assembly further includes a mechanical retention device that couples the platform to the boss of the airfoil segment.

Abstract: A vibration damping system includes a vibration damping element for a turbine nozzle or blade. A body opening extends through the turbine nozzle or blade between the tip end and the base end thereof, e.g., through the airfoil among potentially other parts of the nozzle or blade. A vibration damping element includes a plurality of stacked plate members within the body opening. Each plate member is in surface contact with at least one adjacent plate member to cause friction that dampens vibration of the nozzle or blade. The body opening has an inner dimension, and each plate member has an outer dimension sized to frictionally engage the inner dimension of the body opening to damp vibration. Plate members may each include a central opening therein, and a fixed elongated body or cable may extend through the central openings. The damping element may alternatively include a helical metal ribbon spring.

Abstract: A stator vane includes a platform that defines an opening. The stator vane further includes an airfoil that has a leading edge, a trailing edge, a suction side wall, and a pressure side wall. The airfoil extends radially between a base and a tip. At least one of the base or the tip includes a protrusion. The protrusion extends into the opening of the platform such that the platform surrounds the protrusion of the airfoil. The stator vane further includes a braze joint disposed between and fixedly coupling the platform and the protrusion of the airfoil. The stator vane further includes a cooling circuit defined in at least one of the protrusion or the platform to cool the braze joint.

Abstract: A damper element for a vibration dampening system may be used in a body opening in a rotating blade in a turbine. The damper element includes a base member having an axially fixed position within the body opening, and a spring-suspended bearing member having a spring fixedly coupled to the base member at a first end of the spring and a bearing member coupled to a second end of the spring. With the spring in an elastically extended state under influence of a centrifugal force caused by rotation of the rotating blade at higher than a predefined rotational speed, the bearing member frictionally engages a bearing surface to dampen vibration. The spring-suspended bearing member provides a friction-based vibration dampening interface that experiences a reduced impact of the centrifugal forces of the rotating blade by providing a counteracting force reduction using the spring.

Abstract: A vibration dampening system includes a vibration dampening element for a turbine nozzle or blade. A body opening extends through the turbine nozzle or blade, e.g., through the airfoil among potentially other parts of the nozzle or blade. A vibration dampening element includes a plurality of stacked damper pins within the body opening. The damper pins include an outer body having an inner opening, a first end surface and an opposing second end surface; and an inner body nested and movable within the inner opening of the outer body. The end surfaces frictionally engage to dampen vibration. The inner body has a first central opening including a first portion configured to engage an elongated body therein and an outer surface configured to frictionally engage a portion of the inner opening of the outer body to dampen vibration.

Abstract: A stator vane includes a platform that defines an opening. The stator vane further includes an airfoil that has a leading edge, a trailing edge, a suction side wall, and a pressure side wall. The airfoil extends radially between a base and a tip. At least one of the base or the tip includes a protrusion. The protrusion extends into the opening of the platform such that the platform surrounds the protrusion of the airfoil. The stator vane further includes a braze joint disposed between and fixedly coupling the platform and the protrusion of the airfoil. The stator vane further includes a cooling circuit defined in at least one of the protrusion or the platform to cool the braze joint.

Abstract: A vibration damping system includes a vibration damping element for a turbomachine nozzle or blade. A body opening extends through the turbomachine nozzle or blade between the tip end and the base end thereof. A vibration damping element includes a volute spring vibration damping element configured to be installed within the body opening in the turbomachine nozzle or blade. The volute spring vibration damping element includes a spiral coil of a metal sheet strip with a surface of the metal sheet strip contacting itself in a direction of an axis of the coil. The body opening has an inner dimension, and the volute spring vibration damping element has an outer dimension sized to frictionally engage the inner dimension of the body opening to dampen vibration. In certain embodiments, the body opening and the volute spring vibration damping element each have a conical perspective shape.

Abstract: A vibration damping system includes a vibration damping element for a turbine nozzle or blade. A body opening extends through the turbine nozzle or blade between the tip end and the base end thereof, e.g., through the airfoil among potentially other parts of the nozzle or blade. A vibration damping element includes a plurality of stacked plate members within the body opening. Each plate member is in surface contact with at least one adjacent plate member to cause friction that dampens vibration of the nozzle or blade. The body opening has an inner dimension, and each plate member has an outer dimension sized to frictionally engage the inner dimension of the body opening to damp vibration. Plate members may each include a central opening therein, and a fixed elongated body or cable may extend through the central openings. The damping element may alternatively include a helical metal ribbon spring.

Abstract: A vibration dampening system includes a vibration dampening element for a turbine nozzle or blade. A body opening extends through the turbine nozzle or blade, e.g., through the airfoil among potentially other parts of the nozzle or blade. A vibration dampening element includes a plurality of stacked damper pins within the body opening. The damper pins include an outer body having an inner opening, a first end surface and an opposing second end surface; and an inner body nested and movable within the inner opening of the outer body. The end surfaces frictionally engage to dampen vibration. The inner body has a first central opening including a first portion configured to engage an elongated body therein and an outer surface configured to frictionally engage a portion of the inner opening of the outer body to dampen vibration.

Abstract: A stator vane includes a platform that defines an opening. The stator vane further includes an airfoil that has a leading edge, a trailing edge, a suction side wall, and a pressure side wall. The airfoil extends radially between a base and a tip. At least one of the base or the tip includes a protrusion. The protrusion extends into the opening of the platform such that the platform surrounds the protrusion of the airfoil. The stator vane further includes a braze joint disposed between and fixedly coupling the platform and the protrusion of the airfoil. The stator vane further includes a cooling circuit defined in at least one of the protrusion or the platform to cool the braze joint.

Abstract: An additively manufactured (AM) object may include a body including an opening in an exterior surface thereof, the opening having a shape and a first area at the exterior surface of the body. A mask may be positioned over the opening. The mask has the shape of the opening and a second area that is larger than the first area so as to overhang the exterior surface of the body about the opening. A plurality of support ligaments couple to the mask and the exterior surface of the body at a location adjacent to the opening to support a portion of the mask. A coating can be applied to the object, and the mask removed. The final AM object includes a plurality of ligament elements extending from the exterior surface of the body and through the coating adjacent the opening, each ligament element at least partially surrounded by the coating.

Abstract: An additively manufactured (AM) object may include a body including an opening in an exterior surface thereof, the opening having a shape and a first area at the exterior surface of the body. A mask may be positioned over the opening. The mask has the shape of the opening and a second area that is larger than the first area so as to overhang the exterior surface of the body about the opening. A plurality of support ligaments couple to the mask and the exterior surface of the body at a location adjacent to the opening to support a portion of the mask. A coating can be applied to the object, and the mask removed. The final AM object includes a plurality of ligament elements extending from the exterior surface of the body and through the coating adjacent the opening, each ligament element at least partially surrounded by the coating.

Abstract: A vibration damping system for a turbine nozzle or blade includes a body opening extending through a body of the turbine nozzle or blade between a tip end and a base end thereof. Elongated vibration damping element is disposed in the body opening and includes an elongated body having a first, free end and a second end fixed relative to one of the base end and the tip end. At least one wire mesh member surrounds the elongated body. The wire mesh member(s) frictionally engage with an inner surface of the body opening to damp vibration. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vibration damping system for a turbine nozzle or blade includes a vibration damping element including a plurality of contacting members including a plurality of damper pins. Each damper pin includes a body. A wire mesh member surrounds the body of at least one of the plurality of damper pins. The wire mesh member has a first outer dimension sized for frictionally engaging within a body opening in the turbine nozzle or blade to damp vibration. Spacer members devoid of a wire mesh member may also be used. The damper pins can have different sizes to accommodate contiguous body openings of different sizes in the nozzle or blade. The body opening can be angled relative to a radial extent of the nozzle or blade.