Abstract: A method of forming a cooling hole in a workpiece that includes the steps of laser-forming a blind, inwardly-tapering transition opening into a first side of the workpiece, and EDM-forming a generally cylindrical through hole to a second, opposing side of the workpiece communicating with the inwardly-tapering transition opening to form a through cooling hole communicating with the first and second sides of the workpiece. An airfoil having cooling holes formed by use of both laser and EDM is also disclosed.

Abstract: An airfoil for a gas turbine engine has opposed pressure and suction sidewalls extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge. The airfoil includes an array of radially-spaced apart longitudinally-extending lands which define a plurality of trailing edge slots therebetween. Each of the trailing edge slots has an inlet in fluid communication with an interior of the airfoil and an exit in fluid communication with the trailing edge. At least one of the lands is tapered such that a width of the land measured in a radial direction decreases from the suction sidewall to the pressure sidewall.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a rotor blade includes casting the turbine rotor blade to include a shank, and a platform having an upper surface and a lower surface, and coupling a first component to the rotor blade such that a first substantially hollow plenum is defined between the first component, the shank, and the platform lower surface.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a turbine rotor blade includes casting a turbine rotor blade including a dovetail, a platform having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a cast-in plenum defined between the outer surface and the inner surface, and an airfoil, and forming a plurality of openings between the platform inner surface and the platform outer surface to facilitate cooling an exterior surface of the platform.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a turbine rotor blade includes casting a turbine rotor blade including a dovetail, a platform having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a cast-in plenum defined between the outer surface and the inner surface, and an airfoil, and forming a plurality of openings between the platform inner surface and the platform outer surface to facilitate cooling an exterior surface of the platform.