Abstract: Combustor dome assemblies having combustor deflectors are provided. For example, a combustor dome assembly comprises a combustor dome defining an opening; a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) deflector positioned adjacent the combustor dome on an aft side of the assembly; a fuel-air mixer defining a groove about an outer perimeter thereof; and a seal plate including a key. The CMC deflector includes a cup extending forward through the opening in the combustor dome that defines one or more bayonets and a slot. The bayonets are received in the fuel-air mixer groove, and the seal plate key is received in the CMC deflector slot. In another embodiment, where the seal plate may be omitted, a spring is positioned between the fuel-air mixer and the CMC deflector to hold the CMC deflector in place with respect to the combustor dome. Methods of assembling combustor dome assemblies having CMC deflectors also are provided.

Abstract: Rotor assemblies and methods for manufacturing airfoils for rotor assemblies are provided. For example, a rotor assembly comprises a rotary structure extending circumferentially about an axial centerline of a gas turbine engine, an airfoil having a root and a tip, and a pin extending through the root. The root is coupled to the rotary structure and has a bulbous shape, and the airfoil is formed from a plurality of composite plies. The pin defines both a planar first surface and a planar second surface on a pin body having a generally circular cross-section. Further, the pin includes a first end and a second end that contact the rotary structure. The first and second surfaces together form a point that is oriented toward the tip of the airfoil. In one embodiment, the rotary structure is an outer rotor of an interdigitated rotor assembly and the airfoil extends radially inward.

Abstract: Turbine nozzle sections and airfoils having trailing edge segments are provided. In one embodiment, a turbine nozzle section comprises an inner band defining a pocket; an outer band defining an opening therethrough; and an airfoil radially extending from the inner band to the outer band and including pressure and suction sides. The airfoil has a body segment including a cavity and a plurality of ejector apertures defining a passageway from the cavity to an outer surface of the airfoil, and a trailing edge segment including an inner end and an outer end. The body segment defines a projection projecting inwardly from the suction side, and the trailing edge segment defines a notch opening toward the suction side. The projection is received within the notch. The inner end of the trailing edge segment is received within the inner band pocket, and the outer end is positioned within the outer band opening.

Abstract: A component for a gas turbine engine including a core and an outer enclosure. The core includes an exterior surface extending along a length between a first end and a second end and at least partially defines a cooling cavity on the exterior surface extending from the first end along at least a portion of the length. The cooling cavity is fluidly coupled to an air supply at the first end. The outer enclosure includes an outer surface. The outer enclosure is positioned outside the core and extends from the first end of the core along at least a portion of the length of the core and at least partially defines the cooling cavity.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite component. The method includes laying up a plurality of composite plies to form a composite ply core. Another step of the method includes partially processing the composite ply core to form a green state core. The method further includes machining a cooling cavity on an exterior surface of the green state core. Additionally, the method includes inserting a filler material within the cooling cavity. A further step includes wrapping composite plies around the green state core and filler material to secure the filler material and form an outer enclosure. In one step, the method includes processing the green state core and outer enclosure to form the composite component.

Abstract: A shroud assembly for a gas turbine engine including a plurality of rotor blades. The shroud assembly includes a plurality of tip shrouds, a plurality of flanges, and a plurality of first compressible elements. Each of the plurality of tip shrouds includes an outer band. Further each of the plurality of tip shrouds is coupled to one of the plurality of rotor blades at a tip end. Each of the plurality of flanges extends radially outward from one of the plurality of tip shrouds. Each of the plurality of first compressible elements is coupled to at least one of the plurality of flanges or one of the plurality of tip shrouds and oriented in a first circumferential direction. Further, each of the plurality of first compressible elements is oriented toward an adjacent tip shroud such that the tip shrouds mechanically engage to form a circumferential shroud.

Abstract: Fairing assemblies and methods for assembling gas turbine engine fairing assemblies are provided. For example, a fairing assembly comprises a plurality of fairings, an annular inner band defining a plurality of inner pockets, and an annular outer band defining a plurality of outer pockets. Each fairing has an inner end radially spaced apart from an outer end. Each inner pocket is shaped complementary to each fairing inner end and has forward and aft ends. Each outer pocket is shaped complementary to each fairing outer end and has forward and aft ends. The inner and outer bands are each a single piece structure. Each fairing inner end is received within one of the plurality of inner pockets, and each fairing outer end is received within one of the plurality of outer pockets. Some embodiments also comprise an inner ring positioned against the inner band to close the inner pockets.

Abstract: Rotor assemblies and methods for manufacturing airfoils for rotor assemblies are provided. For example, a rotor assembly comprises a rotary structure extending circumferentially about an axial centerline of a gas turbine engine, an airfoil having a root and a tip, and a pin extending through the root. The root is coupled to the rotary structure and has a bulbous shape, and the airfoil is formed from a plurality of composite plies. The pin defines both a planar first surface and a planar second surface on a pin body having a generally circular cross-section. Further, the pin includes a first end and a second end that contact the rotary structure. The first and second surfaces together form a point that is oriented toward the tip of the airfoil. In one embodiment, the rotary structure is an outer rotor of an interdigitated rotor assembly and the airfoil extends radially inward.

Abstract: Rotor assemblies and methods for manufacturing airfoils for rotor assemblies are provided. For example, a rotor assembly comprises a rotary structure extending circumferentially about an axial centerline of a gas turbine engine and an airfoil having a root and a tip. The root is coupled to the rotary structure and has a bulbous shape. The airfoil is formed from a plurality of composite plies, a portion of which defines at the root first and second end surfaces, which are in contact with the rotary structure and together define a chisel-shaped end of the root. In another embodiment, a rotor assembly comprises an outer rotor extending circumferentially about an axial centerline of a gas turbine engine and a composite outer rotor blade having a root and a tip. The blade root is coupled to the outer rotor and extends inward along a radial direction toward the axial centerline.

Abstract: A method of forming a ceramic matrix composite turbine blade with squealer tip and with tip flare is provided. The tip flare may be located at either or both of the pressure side and the suction side. The method provides a mandrel which is placed in the pre-form tooling to create the cavity and aid in formation of the pressure side flare.

Abstract: Airfoil assemblies for gas turbine engines are provided. For example, an airfoil assembly comprises an airfoil, an inner band defining an inner opening shaped complementary to an inner end of the airfoil, and an outer band defining an outer opening shaped complementary to an outer end of the airfoil. The airfoil inner end is received with the inner opening, and the airfoil outer end is received within the outer opening. A strut extends radially through an airfoil cavity. A first pad is defined at a first radial location within the cavity. A second pad is defined within the cavity at a second, different radial location. In some embodiments, the airfoil assembly inner band includes a first inner flange, through which the inner band is secured to a support structure, and the outer band includes a first outer flange, through which the outer band is secured to a support structure.

Abstract: Damping systems are provided for a rotor blade platform. The damping system may include a blade platform defining a damper pocket and a CMC wedge damper positioned within the damper pocket. The CMC wedge damper has at least one damper angled surface parallel to a longitudinal axis. The damper pocket comprises a pocket angled surface positioned about the at least one damper angled surface.

Abstract: Composite components having structurally reinforced contact interfaces are provided. In one example, the component can include an inner laminate formed of one or more inner plies having reinforcement fibers oriented along a reference direction within a matrix material. The component can also include an interface laminated positioned on the inner laminate along at least a portion of a contact surface of the component. The interface laminate is formed of one or more interface plies having reinforcement fibers oriented along a direction offset from the reference direction within a matrix material. Methods for fabricating such components are also provided.

Abstract: A turbine blade assembly for a gas turbine engine is provided. The turbine rotor blade assembly includes a turbine rotor blade and an attachment pin, and the turbine rotor blade and attachment pin have features for providing a surface interface between the blade and pin. In particular, the attachment pin has a triangular cross-sectional shape, and the blade defines a pin hole for receipt of the attachment pin. An attachment pin for attaching a turbine rotor blade to a turbine rotor disk of a gas turbine engine also is provided. The attachment pin includes a body defining at least one planar surface, and the planar surface provides a surface contact interface between the attachment pin and the turbine rotor blade.

Abstract: Combustor dome assemblies having combustor deflectors are provided. For example, a combustor dome assembly comprises a combustor dome defining an opening; a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) deflector positioned adjacent the combustor dome on an aft side of the assembly; a fuel-air mixer defining a groove about an outer perimeter thereof; and a seal plate including a key. The CMC deflector includes a cup extending forward through the opening in the combustor dome that defines one or more bayonets and a slot. The bayonets are received in the fuel-air mixer groove, and the seal plate key is received in the CMC deflector slot. In another embodiment, where the seal plate may be omitted, a spring is positioned between the fuel-air mixer and the CMC deflector to hold the CMC deflector in place with respect to the combustor dome. Methods of assembling combustor dome assemblies having CMC deflectors also are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for mechanically connecting components are provided. The apparatus includes a mechanical connecting joint that includes a first joint member formed of a material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) value, the first joint member comprising a first sidewall, a second opposite sidewall, and a body extending therebetween. The mechanical connecting joint further includes a second joint member formed of a material having a second CTE value, the second CTE being less than the first CTE. The second joint member includes a first leg facing the first sidewall, a second leg facing the second sidewall, and a connecting member extending between the first leg and the second leg. A first gap is formed between the first joint member and the first leg and a second gap is formed between the first joint member and the second leg.

Abstract: Turbine nozzle sections and airfoils having trailing edge segments are provided. In one embodiment, a turbine nozzle section comprises an inner band defining a pocket; an outer band defining an opening therethrough; and an airfoil radially extending from the inner band to the outer band and including pressure and suction sides. The airfoil has a body segment including a cavity and a plurality of ejector apertures defining a passageway from the cavity to an outer surface of the airfoil, and a trailing edge segment including an inner end and an outer end. The body segment defines a projection projecting inwardly from the suction side, and the trailing edge segment defines a notch opening toward the suction side. The projection is received within the notch. The inner end of the trailing edge segment is received within the inner band pocket, and the outer end is positioned within the outer band opening.

Abstract: A nozzle segment assembly for a gas turbine engine may generally include inner and outer ring support segments and a nozzle fairing positioned between the inner and outer ring support segments. The nozzle fairing may be formed from a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material and may include both an outer endwall and an inner endwall. In addition, the nozzle fairing may include a strut vane extending between the inner and outer endwalls. The nozzle segment assembly may also include a metallic strut extending through the strut vane between the outer and inner ring supports and at least one secondary vane configured to be received through at least one of the outer endwall or the inner endwall of the nozzle fairing such that the at least one secondary vane extends between the inner and outer endwalls at a location adjacent to the strut vane.

Abstract: Damping systems are provided for a rotor blade platform. The damping system may include a blade platform defining a damper pocket and a CMC wedge damper positioned within the damper pocket. The CMC wedge damper has at least one damper angled surface parallel to a longitudinal axis. The damper pocket comprises a pocket angled surface positioned about the at least one damper angled surface.

Abstract: A turbine blade assembly for a gas turbine engine is provided. The turbine rotor blade assembly includes a turbine rotor blade and an attachment pin, and the turbine rotor blade and attachment pin have features for providing a surface interface between the blade and pin. In particular, the attachment pin has a triangular cross-sectional shape, and the blade defines a pin hole for receipt of the attachment pin. An attachment pin for attaching a turbine rotor blade to a turbine rotor disk of a gas turbine engine also is provided. The attachment pin includes a body defining at least one planar surface, and the planar surface provides a surface contact interface between the attachment pin and the turbine rotor blade.