Abstract: An embodiment of a tool assembly includes a spring-loaded shaft assembly disposed along a first axis, a hub, and a roller disk. The hub is connected to a distal end of the spring-loaded shaft assembly. The hub has an upper hub portion adjacent to the distal end of the spring-loaded shaft assembly aligned with the first axis, and a lower hub portion extending along a second axis. The second axis forms an angle relative to the first axis. The roller disk is joined to the lower portion of the hub, and has a working surface about its perimeter. The roller disk is rotatable about the second axis parallel to the second portion of the hub. The working surface includes a profile along its width such that an effective radius of the roller disk varies along a width thereof.

Abstract: A method for detecting a crack in a structural component includes receiving, with a processor, signals indicative of at least one image for a critical location in the structural component; determining, with the processor, at least one shape in the at least one image, the at least one shape being representative of a structure of the critical location; representing, with the processor, at least one region around the structure into a matrix; and applying, with the processor, image processing on the matrix to detect cracks in the at least one region of the structural component.

Abstract: A method of applying a coating system to a substrate includes applying a first layer of a high hardness and high modulus of elasticity with an added metal to the substrate, applying a second layer of the high hardness and high modulus of elasticity in combination with the added metal to the first layer. A percent by volume of the added metal in the second layer is lower than the percent by volume of the added metal in the first layer. The method also includes applying two or more intermediate layers formed from an applied mixture of the high hardness, high modulus of elasticity material and a metal material between the first layer and the second layer.

Abstract: A non-line-of-sight (NLOS) coating process is provided for a substrate having first and second transverse surfaces where the second surface lacks a LOS for depositional processing. The NLOS coating process includes electroplating or electroless plating a crack-resistant interlayer coating to at least the second surface and applying a wear-resistant coating to the crack-resistant interlayer coating by electrolytic or electroless plating.

Abstract: An embodiment of a tool assembly includes a spring-loaded shaft assembly disposed along a first axis, a hub, and a roller disk. The hub is connected to a distal end of the spring-loaded shaft assembly. The hub has an upper hub portion adjacent to the distal end of the spring-loaded shaft assembly aligned with the first axis, and a lower hub portion extending along a second axis. The second axis forms an angle relative to the first axis. The roller disk is joined to the lower portion of the hub, and has a working surface about its perimeter. The roller disk is rotatable about the second axis parallel to the second portion of the hub. The working surface includes a profile along its width such that an effective radius of the roller disk varies along a width thereof.

Abstract: An embodiment of a tool assembly includes a hub connected to a distal end of a spring-loaded shaft assembly disposed along a first axis. An upper hub portion is adjacent to the distal end of the spring-loaded shaft assembly aligned with the first axis, and a lower hub portion extends along a second axis, forming a nonzero angle relative to the first axis. A roller disk is joined to the lower portion of the hub, and is rotatable about the second axis parallel to the second portion of the hub. A load cell is disposed along the first axis between a proximal end of the shaft and the roller disk, and is adapted to measure a downward force applied along the shaft assembly.

Abstract: An embodiment of a tool assembly includes a robotic assembly, a tool mount, and a non-axisymmetric deep rolling tool. The robotic assembly includes a plurality of linear arms connected in series between a base end and a working end. Adjacent ones of the plurality of arms are connected via a corresponding plurality of multi-axis joints such that the working end is articulated by movement of one or more of the plurality of arms relative to one or more of the plurality of multi-axis joints. The tool mount is connected to one of the linear arms or one of the multi-axis joints at the working end of the robotic assembly. The non-axisymmetric deep rolling tool is connected to the tool mount, and includes a spring-loaded shaft assembly disposed along a first axis. A hub has an upper hub portion adjacent to the distal end of the spring-loaded shaft assembly aligned with the first axis, and a lower hub portion extending along a second axis, forming a nonzero angle relative to the first axis.

Abstract: A coating is described for an airfoil blade component. The coating comprises a cermet material and has, when applied to the rotor blade, a compressive residual stress greater than about 60 ksi. In another embodiment, the compressive residual stress of the coating is in the range of approximately 90-110 ksi.

Abstract: A method of applying a coating system to a substrate includes applying a first layer of a high hardness and high modulus of elasticity with an added metal to the substrate, applying a second layer of the high hardness and high modulus of elasticity in combination with the added metal to the first layer. A percent by volume of the added metal in the second layer is lower than the percent by volume of the added metal in the first layer. The method also includes applying two or more intermediate layers formed from an applied mixture of the high hardness, high modulus of elasticity material and a metal material between the first layer and the second layer.

Abstract: An erosion resistant coating for a substrate includes two or more coating layers affixed to the substrate having an increasing modulus of elasticity and hardness from an innermost layer of the coating adjacent to the substrate to an outermost layer of the coating furthest from the substrate. A method of applying a coating system to a substrate includes applying a first layer of a high hardness and high modulus of elasticity material combined with an added metal to the substrate. A second layer of the high hardness and high modulus of elasticity material combined with the added metal is applied to the first layer, resulting in a coating system wherein the second layer has a modulus of elasticity and hardness greater than the modulus of elasticity and hardness of the first layer.

Abstract: A method for detecting a crack in a structural component includes receiving, with a processor, signals indicative of at least one image for a critical location in the structural component; determining, with the processor, at least one shape in the at least one image, the at least one shape being representative of a structure of the critical location; representing, with the processor, at least one region around the structure into a matrix; and applying, with the processor, image processing on the matrix to detect cracks in the at least one region of the structural component.

Abstract: A heat exchange tube for a refrigerant-flooded evaporator includes a tube body and a plurality of channels for conveying a cooling medium therethrough located in the tube body. One or more outer wall textural elements are included at the outer wall of the tube body to improve thermal energy transfer between the cooling medium and a volume of boiling refrigerant. A method of forming a heat exchange tube for a refrigerant-flooded evaporator includes urging a billet into an extrusion section and forming the billet into two tube halves including an outer wall and an inner wall having a plurality of channel halves. A textural element is formed at one or more of the outer wall and the inner wall via one or more rotating dies, and the two tube halves are joined to form the heat exchange tube.

Abstract: A wear resistant device includes a substrate of a first metallic material and a wear resistant layer disposed on a substrate. The wear resistant layer includes a matrix of a second, different metallic material, particulates dispersed throughout the matrix, and a boron material dispersed within a portion of the matrix.

Abstract: A coating is described for an airfoil blade component. The coating comprises a cermet material and has, when applied to the rotor blade, a compressive residual stress greater than about 60 ksi. In another embodiment, the compressive residual stress of the coating is in the range of approximately 90-110 ksi.

Abstract: An erosion resistant coating for a substrate includes two or more coating layers affixed to the substrate having an increasing modulus of elasticity and hardness from an innermost layer of the coating adjacent to the substrate to an outermost layer of the coating furthest from the substrate. A method of applying a coating system to a substrate includes applying a first layer of a high hardness and high modulus of elasticity material combined with an added metal to the substrate. A second layer of the high hardness and high modulus of elasticity material combined with the added metal is applied to the first layer, resulting in a coating system wherein the second layer has a modulus of elasticity and hardness greater than the modulus of elasticity and hardness of the first layer.

Abstract: A wear resistant device includes a substrate of a first metallic material and a wear resistant layer disposed on a substrate. The wear resistant layer includes a matrix of a second, different metallic material, particulates dispersed throughout the matrix, and a boron material dispersed within a portion of the matrix.