Abstract: A method and system are provided for transferring value from a value provider. A request initiated by a value owner to transfer value from the value provider to a recipient is received. An exchange provider receives the value in accordance with the request. The exchange provider includes a processor that converts the received value into a converted form. The converted value is then transmitted to the recipient by the exchange provider.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enrolling consumers in goods and services offered by a consumer provider are disclosed herein. Various of the methods include providing an enrollment system and displaying enrollment options via the enrollment system. Further, the methods include receiving enrollment requests and enrolling a consumer based on the enrollment request. The systems can be configured for effectuating the various enrollment methods.

Abstract: Systems and methods for accepting payments for goods and services provided by a consumer provider. The methods can include associating consumers and consumer providers with a payment provider. The payment provider can receive payments destined for the consumer provider, associate the payments with one or more identifiers, and transfer at least portions of the receive payments to the consumer provider. The systems can include a point-of-sale device configured to accept payments from consumers on behalf of consumer providers. In some cases, the systems include a plurality of such point-of-sale devices in communication with a payment provider control. The payment provider control can be in communication with one or more consumer provider controls.

Abstract: A method and passage system is applicable to hollow structures, such as hollow rib core fan blades, for removing alpha case and contamination, for improving surface texture, and for smoothing diffusion bonded joints to reduce notches and flaws, after fabrication. The passage system allows for venting and full cavity access to permit cleaning of the interior of the hollow structure. The method of cleaning the interior of a hollow structure may comprise applying an etchant to strip the topical layer from the inside of a hollow mechanical structure, such as a hollow core airfoil; or may comprise pumping an abrasive flow through the hollow cavities of the structure.

Abstract: Hollow airfoils, such as fan blades, nozzles and struts used in axial flow gas turbine engines, that have improved resistance to impact from foreign objects are disclosed. Relocation of airfoil material is used to preferentially strengthen the airfoil to respond to the stress from the impact of a foreign object. Internal spacers are redistributed toward the leading edge and the material from the skin of the concave side and the convex side is shifted from one side to the other and toward the leading edge of the airfoil where impact stress is greatest.

Abstract: A method and passage system is applicable to hollow structures, such as hollow rib core fan blades, for removing alpha case and contamination, for improving surface texture, and for smoothing diffusion bonded joints to reduce notches and flaws, after fabrication. The passage system allows for venting and full cavity access to permit cleaning of the interior of the hollow structure. The method of cleaning the interior of a hollow structure may comprise applying an etchant to strip the topical layer from the inside of a hollow mechanical structure, such as a hollow core airfoil; or may comprise pumping an abrasive flow through the hollow cavities of the structure.

Abstract: A method for forming a hollow, internally-ribbed airfoil having a complex geometry. The process forms airfoil halves from alloy members in essentially final machined form. The airfoil halves optionally include a gasket around their periphery and optionally, a gasket around the internal sequence of ribs and cavities. Because the airfoil halves are in final form before joining, important interior airfoil dimensions such as skin thickness, cavity size, rib location and gasket location as well as exterior dimensions such as camber and twist may be verified prior to joining. The airfoil halves are then joined by welding, thereby sealing their interiors and diffusion bonding at relatively low pressures. The gaskets eliminate the use of high pressures and associated skin buckling and permit a concentration of the loads at key locations despite the low pressures. After diffusion bonding, any voids are removed by hot isostatically pressing the airfoil in the superplastic temperature range of the alloy.

Abstract: A hollow core airfoil including a root adapted to attach the airfoil to a disk. An airfoil portion including a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a tip portion. The hollow core airfoil includes radial ribs extending from the root to the tip. Chord-wise stringers run from the leading edge to the trailing edge providing support along the chord-wise direction.

Abstract: A method for assembling a plurality of bucket assemblies having tangential entry dovetails onto a wheel of a turbomachine such that a predetermined circumferential force is obtainable on the bucket assemblies when assembled, includes reducing the distance between lateral faces on the base portion of at least a first bucket assembly and preferably all bucket assemblies, such as by cooling, and increasing the distance between the lateral faces after assembly, so that the predetermined circumferential force is obtained. Alternatively, the wheel circumference may be increased as by heating before the bucket assemblies are assembled. A combination of appropriate heating and cooling may be used. A closure piece having a predetermined circumferential expanse may be inserted in the bucket row of the wheel to obtain the desired circumferential force.