Abstract: Turbine center frames are provided. For example, a turbine center frame comprises an annular outer case and an annular hub. The hub is defined radially inward of the outer case such that the outer case circumferentially surrounds the hub. The turbine center frame further comprises an annular fairing extending between the outer case and the hub, a ligament extending from the fairing to the outer case to connect the fairing to the outer case, a plurality of struts extending from the hub to the outer case, and a boss structure defined on an outer surface of the outer case. The outer case, hub, fairing, ligament, plurality of struts, and boss structure are integrally formed as a single monolithic component. For instance, the turbine center frame is additively manufactured as an integral structure, and methods for manufacturing turbine center frames also are provided.

Abstract: A fuel nozzle apparatus has a centerline axis, and includes: a main fuel injector including an enclosed interior volume in fluid communication with a plurality of fuel ports configured to discharge fuel therefrom; a main fuel conduit disposed upstream of the main fuel injector and configured to supply liquid fuel to the interior volume; and a fluid lock disposed between the main fuel conduit and the main fuel injector, the fluid lock including a plurality of parallel capillary channels.

Abstract: An aft heat shield for a fuel nozzle tip includes: an annular shield wall; an annular shield flange extending radially outward from an aft end of the shield wall; an annular baffle flange surrounding the conical section, and disposed such that an axial gap is defined between the shield flange and the baffle flange, the baffle flange including a radially outer rim extending axially forward therefrom; and a plurality of impingement cooling holes passing through the baffle flange and oriented to as to direct air flow towards the shield wall.

Abstract: A fuel nozzle apparatus for a gas turbine engine includes: a fuel discharge element having a discharge orifice communicating with a fuel supply connection; a static supporting structure; and a cantilevered flexible support structure interconnecting the supporting structure and the fuel discharge element, the flexible support structure having a first end connected to the static supporting structure, and a second end connected to the fuel discharge element.

Abstract: Methods for printing a three-dimensional part are provided. The method can include charging an outer surface of a rotating photoreceptor drum with an electrostatic charge; neutralizing the electrostatic charge on a portion of the outer surface of the rotating photoreceptor drum surface to form a layer definition corresponding to the neutralized portion; transferring a plurality of charged metal powder particles onto the outer surface of the rotating photoreceptor drum corresponding to the neutralized portion; and transferring the charged metal powder particles from the outer surface of the rotating photoreceptor drum onto a workpart to form a metal print layer.

Abstract: An aft heat shield for a fuel nozzle tip includes: an annular shield wall; an annular shield flange extending radially outward from an aft end of the shield wall; an annular baffle flange surrounding the conical section, and disposed such that an axial gap is defined between the shield flange and the baffle flange, the baffle flange including a radially outer rim extending axially forward therefrom; and a plurality of impingement cooling holes passing through the baffle flange and oriented to as to direct air flow towards the shield wall.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gas-lubricated bearing assembly for a gas turbine engine and method of damping same. The bearing assembly includes a bearing pad for supporting a rotary component and a bearing housing attached to or formed integrally with the bearing pad. The bearing housing includes a first fluid damper cavity, a second fluid damper cavity in restrictive flow communication with the first fluid damper cavity via a restrictive channel configured as a clearance gap, and a damper fluid configured within the first and second fluid damper cavities. More specifically, the damper fluid of the present disclosure is configured to withstand the high temperature environment of the engine. Thus, the bearing housing is configured to transfer the damper fluid from the first fluid damper cavity to the second fluid damper cavity via the restrictive channel in response to a force acting on the bearing pad.

Abstract: Gas turbine engines, as well as outer walls and flow path assemblies of gas turbine engines, are provided. For example, an outer wall of a flow path comprises a combustor portion extending through a combustion section, and a turbine portion extending through at least a first turbine stage of a turbine section. The combustor and turbine portions are integrally formed as a single unitary structure that defines an outer boundary of the flow path. As another example, a flow path assembly comprises a combustor dome positioned a forward end of a combustor; an outer wall extending from the combustor dome through at least a first turbine stage; and an inner wall extending from the combustor dome through at least a combustion section. The combustor dome extends radially from the outer wall to the inner wall and is integrally formed with the outer and inner walls as a single unitary structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gas turbine engine defining an axial centerline, a longitudinal direction, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction. The gas turbine engine includes one or more frames in which the frame defines an inner ring and an outer ring generally concentric to the inner ring about the axial centerline. The frame defines a plurality of struts extended outward along the radial direction from the inner ring to the outer ring. One or more struts define one or more service passages extended at least partially along the radial direction within the strut, and wherein the inner ring, the outer ring, and the struts together define an integral structure.

Abstract: A bearing including a bearing pad and a housing is provided. The bearing pad has a thrust face for supporting a vibration along an axial direction of the bearing. Additionally, the housing is formed integrally using an additive manufacturing process and is attached to or formed integrally with the bearing pad. The housing defines a working gas delivery system for providing a flow of pressurized working gas to the thrust face of the bearing pad and a fluid damper cavity. The fluid damper cavity provides a dampening of the axial vibration supported by the thrust face of the bearing pad along the axial direction.

Abstract: A bearing includes a bearing pad for supporting a rotary component and a housing attached to or formed integrally with the bearing pad. The housing includes a flexible column extending towards the bearing pad for providing the bearing pad with an airflow. The column supports the bearing pad from a location inward of an outer periphery of the bearing pad along an axial direction of the bearing. With such a configuration, a resistance of the bearing pad along a radial direction of the bearing is less at the outer periphery than a resistance of the bearing pad along the radial direction proximate the column.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electrical machine includes printing a stator core; printing a first part of a stator winding; coupling the first part of the stator winding to the stator core; printing a second part of the stator winding onto the first part of the stator winding to form a stator assembly; printing a first part of a rotor shaft; printing a rotor core onto the first part of the rotor shaft; printing a second part of the rotor shaft onto the rotor core; printing a first part of a rotor winding; coupling the first part of the rotor winding to the rotor core; and printing a second part of the rotor winding onto the first part of the rotor winding to form a rotor assembly.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a stator assembly for an electrical machine includes printing a stator core. The method also includes printing a first part of a stator winding. In addition, the method includes coupling the first part of the stator winding to the stator core. The method also includes printing a second part of the stator winding onto the first part of the stator winding to form the stator assembly. In particular, coupling the first part of the stator winding to the stator core precedes printing the second part of the stator winding onto the first part of the stator winding.

Abstract: A method for integrally manufacturing a stator core and a housing for an electrical machine includes printing, by a three-dimensional (3D) printing process, the stator core. In addition, the method includes printing, by the 3D printing process, the housing. In particular, printing the housing occurs contemporaneously with printing the stator core. The method also includes printing, by the 3D printing process, at least one end cap and coupling the at least one end cap to the housing to enclose a cavity defined by the housing.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a housing for an electrical machine includes printing, by a three-dimensional (3D) printing process, the housing. In addition, the method includes printing, by the 3D printing process, a cooling jacket that is integral with the housing. The method also includes printing, by the 3D printing process, at least one end cap configured to enclose a cavity defined by the housing. In addition, the method includes coupling the at least one end cap to the housing.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a rotor assembly for an electrical machine includes printing a first part of a rotor shaft. The method also includes printing a rotor core onto the first part of the rotor shaft. In addition, the method includes printing a second part of the rotor shaft onto the rotor core; printing a first part of the rotor winding. The method also includes coupling the first part of the rotor winding to the rotor core. After coupling the first part of the rotor winding to the rotor core, the method includes printing a second part of the rotor winding onto the first part of the rotor winding to form the rotor assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a bearing assembly for a gas turbine engine. The bearing assembly includes a bearing housing and a bearing pad for supporting a rotary component of the gas turbine engine. The bearing pad includes at least one gas inlet and a plurality of gas outlets configured on an inner surface thereof. The gas inlet is in fluid communication with the plurality of gas outlets via a gas distribution labyrinth. Further, the gas distribution labyrinth includes a plurality of passageways configured to evenly distribute pressurized gas entering the gas inlet to an interface between the inner surface of the bearing pad and an outer diameter of the rotary component.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to monolithic superstructures for supporting a rotating shaft coupled to a rotor relative to a stator. An integral superstructure supports the rotating component. The superstructure includes a bearing portion that contacts the shaft. A stator portion, is spaced a critical dimension radially outward, from the rotor. A first annular transfer portion extends axially forward from the bearing to the stator portion. A second annular transfer portion extends axially aft from the stator portion to a mounting flange. The mounting flange connects the superstructure to a frame. The superstructure maintains a critical dimension between the rotor and the stator as the temperature of the superstructure increases. The rotor may be a compressor impeller in a gas turbine engine and the stator may be an aero component that transfers air into a combustor.

Abstract: A bearing includes a bearing pad for supporting a rotary component and a housing attached to or formed integrally with the bearing pad. The housing includes a flexible column extending towards the bearing pad for providing the bearing pad with an airflow. The column supports the bearing pad from a location inward of an outer periphery of the bearing pad along an axial direction of the bearing. With such a configuration, a resistance of the bearing pad along a radial direction of the bearing is less at the outer periphery than a resistance of the bearing pad along the radial direction proximate the column.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to separating entrained solid particles from an input airflow in a gas turbine engine. A cyclonic separator receives the input airflow from a compressor and separates a first portion of the input airflow. The cyclonic separator remove solid particles from the first portion of the input airflow to provide a first cleaned airflow to a first cooling system. A clean air offtake downstream from the cyclonic separator separates a second cleaned airflow from a remaining portion of the input air stream and provides the second cleaned airflow to a second cooling system. The remaining portion of the input airflow is provided to a combustor.