Abstract: A monitoring system for determining component wear is provided. The monitoring system includes a memory device configured to store a reference model of a component and a component wear monitoring (CWM) device configured to receive a component image of a first component being inspected, detect a plurality of manmade structural features in the received component image, adjust the component image to mask out at least some of the plurality of manmade structural features from the received component image, compare the adjusted component image with the reference model to determine one or more potential defect areas in the first component, analyze each of the one or more defect areas to determine a state of the potential defect areas, and output the state of the one or more potential defect areas to a user.

Abstract: A monitoring system for determining component wear is provided. The monitoring system includes a memory device configured to store a reference model of a component and a component wear monitoring (CWM) device configured to receive a component image of a first component being inspected, detect a plurality of manmade structural features in the received component image, adjust the component image to mask out at least some of the plurality of manmade structural features from the received component image, compare the adjusted component image with the reference model to determine one or more potential defect areas in the first component, analyze each of the one or more defect areas to determine a state of the potential defect areas, and output the state of the one or more potential defect areas to a user.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method for lifespan modeling for a turbine engine component includes determining a design-phase model of the lifespan of an turbine engine component; fusing the design-phase model with sensor data collected during operation of the turbine engine component to produce an updated model of the lifespan of the turbine engine component; and fusing the updated model with data collected during an inspection of the turbine engine component to produce an overall model of the lifespan of the turbine engine component. Systems for lifespan modeling for a turbine engine component are also provided.

Abstract: A system, method and computer-readable medium for monitoring a life of a gas turbine component is disclosed. A numerical model of the gas turbine component is created and parameter measurements are obtained in real-time for at least a portion of the gas turbine component. The parameter measurements are fused with a subset of the numerical model corresponding to the portion of the gas turbine component to obtain a subset of a fused parameter model corresponding to the portion of the gas turbine component. The subset of the fused parameter model is expanded to obtain the fused parameter model that corresponds to at least a location outside of the portion of the gas turbine component. The life of the gas turbine component is monitored using the fused temperature model.

Abstract: Transition ducts, hot gas path assemblies, and turbomachines are provided. A hot gas path assembly includes an outer support ring, an inner support ring, and a transition duct coupled to the outer support ring and the inner support ring. The transition duct includes a conduit defining a passage extending between an inlet and an outlet. The inlet and the outlet are generally aligned along a longitudinal axis. The transition duct further includes an airfoil disposed within the conduit and configured to alter a hot gas flow direction.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method for lifespan modeling for a turbine engine component includes determining a design-phase model of the lifespan of an turbine engine component; fusing the design-phase model with sensor data collected during operation of the turbine engine component to produce an updated model of the lifespan of the turbine engine component; and fusing the updated model with data collected during an inspection of the turbine engine component to produce an overall model of the lifespan of the turbine engine component. Systems for lifespan modeling for a turbine engine component are also provided.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for defining a system hierarchy for a system including a plurality of variables. The method includes generating a first level system block corresponding to a first variable at a first level of the system hierarchy. The first level system block includes statistical information related to the first variable. A second level system block is generated corresponding to a second variable at a second level of the system hierarchy. The second variable has an effect on a value of the first variable. The second level system block includes statistical information related to the second variable.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for performing quality function deployment for a system having a plurality of levels. The method includes obtaining a plurality of first level critical to quality parameters and obtaining a plurality of first level key control parameters. A first level quality matrix is generated identifying an effect at least one first level key control parameter has on at least one first level critical to quality parameter. The first level key control parameters are arranged into a first group and a second group. A second level quality matrix is generated for the first group. The second level quality matrix includes second level critical to quality parameters corresponding to the first group of first level key control parameters and a second level key control parameter. The second level quality matrix identifies an effect said second level key control parameter has on at least one second level critical to quality parameter.

Abstract: A blower unit which, in one embodiment, includes an elongate main mounting member, a stator, a fan subassembly, and a blower housing, is described. In the one embodiment, the elongate main mounting member is the main structural member of the unit. The stator includes a stator core and stator windings, and the stator is secured to the main mounting member. The fan subassembly includes a rotor and a plurality of vanes. The rotor includes a substantially cylindrical iron ring and a magnetic portion having a substantially cylindrical shape. The magnetic portion is secured within the inner diameter of the iron ring and defines a rotor bore. The stator is located in the rotor bore and is concentric with respect to the rotor. The rotor is coupled to the plurality of vanes so that the vanes rotate with the rotor. The fan subassembly also includes bearing assemblies which are spring biased toward, and into rotatable engagement with, the elongate main mounting member.

Abstract: A blower unit includes an elongate main mounting member, a stator, a fan subassembly, and a blower housing. The elongate main mounting member is the main structural member of the unit. The stator includes a stator core and stator windings, and the stator is secured to the main mounting member. The fan subassembly includes a rotor and a plurality of vanes. The rotor includes a substantially cylindrical iron ring and a magnetic portion having a substantially cylindrical shape. The magnetic portion is secured within the inner diameter of the iron ring and defines a rotor bore. The stator is located in the rotor bore and is concentric with respect to the rotor. The rotor is coupled to the plurality of vanes so that the vanes rotate with the rotor. The fan subassembly also includes bearing assemblies which are spring biased towards, and into rotatable engagement with, the elongate main mounting member. The fan subassembly further includes a shroud for partially enclosing the plurality of vanes.

Abstract: A method for making a rotor for an electric motor. An elastomeric ring loosely slides over a motor shaft and inside a flux ring. End plates are attached to the longitudinal ends of the flux ring so as to longitudinally compress the elastomeric ring which radially inwardly expands against the motor shaft and radially outwardly expands against the flux ring. In a modification, the flux ring has a smaller-diameter annular disk near each of its longitudinal ends, and each attaching end plate longitudinally compresses a longitudinally-shorter elastomeric ring against a corresponding smaller-diameter annular disk.