Abstract: A system in a turbine engine for preventing wear on a tip shroud of a turbine blade that includes a pocket formed in a contact surface of the tip shroud and a plug that fits within the pocket and has a durable outer surface. The durable outer surface may include a cobalt-based hardfacing powder. The pocket may be machined out of the contact surface, and the plug may include a plug of predetermined size that fits snugly into the pocket. In some embodiments, the durable outer surface may substantially align with the contact surface after the plug is fitted into the pocket. In other embodiments, the durable outer surface may remain slightly raised from the contact surface after the plug has been fitted into the pocket.

Abstract: A method of welding superalloy components comprising: (a) forming a weld prep groove at an interface of the components; (b) welding the components using a filler material at ambient temperature; (c) covering the filler material and adjacent surfaces of the components with a braze paste; and (d) heat treating the components, the heat treatment including a stress-relief cycle and a braze cycle. A similar process may be used to repair a crack in a nickel-based superalloy component.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of welding superalloy articles. A buttered layer is attached to a first article formed from a superalloy. A buttered layer is attached to a second article formed from a superalloy. Residual stresses are relieved between the buttered layer and the superalloy. Matching faying surfaces are established at the buttered layers of the articles. And, the faying surfaces of the articles are welded together to form a welded assembly, wherein after welding, a heat affected zone is within the buttered layers.

Abstract: Typically, a laser emits significant energy after a control signal is generated to disable the power supply. The inherent delay between generation of a control signal for shutting off a laser power supply and actual termination of an output beam pulse in response to the control signal, is compensated in the context that the control signal is generated automatically upon coincidence of measured output beam power with a preset threshold value. Power supplied to a laser is modulated to cause generation of a pulsed laser output beam. The cumulative energy of each output beam pulse is monitored and a feedback signal indicative of measured output beam pulse energy is supplied to the power supply. The feedback signal is compared with a user-selected threshold value, and a control signal is generated for terminating the output beam pulse (by terminating input power to the laser) when the measured output pulse energy reaches the threshold value.

Abstract: A handpiece for use in delivering the output beam of a laser to the surface of a patient's skin for performing a dermatological procedure. In a first and second embodiment of the present invention, the handpiece provides a highly collimated beam of a fixed, non-variable spot size which is largely insensitive to movement of the handpiece over a range of working positions. In a third embodiment the handpiece provides a highly collimated and well defined focused laser spot of variable size where for a selected spot size, the size is largely insensitive to movement of the handpiece over a range of working positions. In all of the embodiments, the highly collimated laser beam permits the surgeon performing the procedure to move the handpiece over a range of positions without significantly defocusing or altering the spot size of the beam.

Abstract: A slit incision handpiece that receives a circular laser beam, reshapes the beam to have an elliptical cross-section, and focuses the beam onto target tissue. Slit incisions of approximately the dimensions of the elliptical beam are formed by stationary exposures on the target tissue from the output of the slit incision handpiece.

Abstract: A slit incision handpiece that receives a circular laser beam, reshapes the beam to have an elliptical cross-section, and focuses the beam onto target tissue. Slit incisions of approximately the dimensions of the elliptical beam are formed by stationary exposures on the target tissue from the output of the slit incision handpiece.

Abstract: A tool is disclosed for evaluating the alignment of the channel of an endoscope. The tool includes a housing with one end thereof being connectable to the endoscope. The other end of the housing includes an eyepiece. A lens system is provided within the housing for imaging the distal end of the endoscope onto a reticle. The position of the image on the reticle allows the axial alignment of the endoscope channel to be evaluated.

Abstract: A coupler 30 for use with medical laser delivery systems is disclosed. The delivery system includes an articulated arm and an endoscope 42. The coupler 30 connects the arm to the endoscope. The coupler includes an axially extending tube 46 receivable in the bore 48 of the endoscope. The tube facilitates alignment of the coupler with the endoscope. The coupler is also provided with a telescope optical system (50, 52) for adjusting the diameter of the beam at the entrance to the endoscope to reduce clipping of the beam thereby enhancing transmission.