Abstract: A composite turbine blade and a method of manufacture thereof is disclosed. The composite turbine blade comprises a turbine blade portion comprising a first material and a first tip plate comprising a second material. The turbine blade portion has an exterior wall and an interior wall surrounding a hollow interior cavity, and a top surface extending from the exterior wall to the interior wall bounding an orifice that is fluidly connected to the hollow interior cavity. The first tip plate may be attached to the turbine blade along the top surface and extending from proximate the exterior wall of the turbine blade across the orifice to cover the orifice.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for welding a component to fill a groove therein. The method entails simultaneously projecting an electric arc and at least first and second laser beams into the groove. The electric arc melts and deposits a filler material in the groove while the first and second laser beams are projected onto opposite first and second walls, respectively, of the groove. The axis of each of the first and second laser beams is oriented at an acute angle relative to the respective wall thereof.

Abstract: A double-sided tribrid welding technique and apparatus for root pass welding of narrow groove welds. The welding technique utilizes three welding devices. A welding apparatus on a backside of the weld joint may strike an arc on the backside of the weld joint; a welding apparatus on a narrow groove side of the weld may strike an arc within the narrow groove weld joint, while the remaining welding apparatus is a laser that can help establish a keyhole as a common pool of molten metal at the root without burning through the root. Once the arcs are struck substantially simultaneously and the laser is energized, the welding heads move simultaneously, the arc welders assisting in maintaining pre-heat temperature, while minimizing distortion and cracking. Adjusting arc weld parameters provides deformation on completion of the root pass so as to compensate for distortion due to metal shrinkage in subsequent passes.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for welding a component to fill a groove therein. The method entails simultaneously projecting an electric arc and at least first and second laser beams into the groove. The electric arc melts and deposits a filler material in the groove while the first and second laser beams are projected onto opposite first and second walls, respectively, of the groove. The axis of each of the first and second laser beams is oriented at an acute angle relative to the respective wall thereof.

Abstract: A method of repairing a turbine component having an array of partitions is provided and includes machining one or more partitions of the array to remove trailing edge sections thereof, fabricating one or more replacement inserts, respectively locating the one or more replacement inserts in the one or more machined partitions and substantially simultaneously brazing the one or more replacement inserts to the one or more machined partitions.

Abstract: A composite turbine blade and a method of manufacture thereof is disclosed. The composite turbine blade comprises a turbine blade portion comprising a first material and a first tip plate comprising a second material. The turbine blade portion has an exterior wall and an interior wall surrounding a hollow interior cavity, and a top surface extending from the exterior wall to the interior wall bounding an orifice that is fluidly connected to the hollow interior cavity. The first tip plate may be attached to the turbine blade along the top surface and extending from proximate the exterior wall of the turbine blade across the orifice to cover the orifice.

Abstract: A composite turbine blade and a method of manufacture thereof is disclosed. The composite turbine blade comprises a turbine blade portion comprising a first material and a first tip plate comprising a second material. The turbine blade portion has an exterior wall and an interior wall surrounding a hollow interior cavity, and a top surface extending from the exterior wall to the interior wall bounding an orifice that is fluidly connected to the hollow interior cavity. The first tip plate may be attached to the turbine blade along the top surface and extending from proximate the exterior wall of the turbine blade across the orifice to cover the orifice.

Abstract: A composite turbine blade and a method of manufacture thereof is disclosed. The composite turbine blade comprises a turbine blade portion comprising a first material and a first tip plate comprising a second material. The turbine blade portion has an exterior wall and an interior wall surrounding a hollow interior cavity, and a top surface extending from the exterior wall to the interior wall bounding an orifice that is fluidly connected to the hollow interior cavity. The first tip plate may be attached to the turbine blade along the top surface and extending from proximate the exterior wall of the turbine blade across the orifice to cover the orifice.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for forming an aluminide coated article comprises: applying an aluminum composition to the article to form a precursor coating, heating the article to a migration temperature sufficient to diffuse a metal from the article into the precursor coating, and gasifying aluminum in the aluminum composition at a gasification temperature that is greater than or equal to the migration temperature. An outward grown aluminide coating forms on the article. In another embodiment, a method for forming an aluminide coated article, comprises: applying an aluminide composition an article to form a precursor coating, heating the article to a migration temperature of greater than or equal to 1,065° C., gasifying the aluminum at a gasification temperature of greater than or equal to 1,065° C., and forming an outward grown aluminide coating on less than 100% of a surface of the article.

Abstract: The present application provides improved diffusion coating compositions and improved methods for diffusion coating metal surfaces. The composition includes (a) a coating powder; and (b) a binder, wherein the coating powder comprises at least one metal, and wherein the binder will release an activator gas during vaporization or combustion. The method includes the steps of (a) providing a substrate; (b) applying a diffusion coating composition to at least a portion of the substrate, wherein the composition comprises a coating powder and a binder, the coating powder comprising at least one metal; and (c) vaporizing or combusting at least a portion of the composition so as to vaporize or combust at least a portion of the binder to produce an activation gas and vaporize at least a portion of the metal to form a coating of the metal on the substrate.

Abstract: A method for welding and brazing a metallic component, such as, for example, a metallic component in a turbine, such as a bucket or blade. The method includes the steps of welding the metallic component to create a welded component; covering the welded component with a braze material to create a braze-covered welded component; and subjecting the braze-covered welded component to stress relief treatment.