Abstract: A turbine blade sealing structure for a ceramic matrix composite component is provided. The turbine sealing structure includes at least one top ply abutting a top portion of a shank. The at least one top ply extends out over the top portion of the shank. The turbine sealing structure includes at least one side ply abutting a side portion of the shank. The at least one side ply extends along a side portion of the shank. The at least one top ply and at least one side ply form an angel wing and a skirt with on the shank of the ceramic matrix composite component.

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: A rotor blade assembly for a rotor of a gas turbine engine having an axis of rotation includes a shank portion formed from a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material. The rotor blade assembly also includes a platform portion formed from a substantially similar CMC material as that of the shank portion. The platform portion is coupled to the shank portion. The platform portion and the shank portion cooperate to at least partially define two opposing side portions of the rotor blade assembly. The opposing side portions are angularly separated with respect to the axis of rotation. The rotor blade assembly further includes a damper retention apparatus. The damper retention apparatus is coupled to the shank portion. The damper retention apparatus includes at least one angled bracket apparatus extending toward a circumferentially adjacent rotor blade assembly.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating a component of a gas turbine engine are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes molding a CMC material to form a first portion of the gas turbine engine component, processing the first portion to form a first assembly, preparing the first assembly and a second portion of the gas turbine engine component for processing, and processing the first assembly and second portion to form a second assembly. In another embodiment, the method includes processing a first plurality of CMC plies to form a first assembly; positioning the first assembly and a second plurality of CMC plies on a tool for processing, the first assembly defining a first plane, the second plurality of plies defining a second plane, wherein the second plane is perpendicular to the first plane; and processing the first assembly and the second plurality of plies to form a second assembly.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating a component of a gas turbine engine are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes molding a CMC material to form a first portion of the gas turbine engine component, processing the first portion to form a first assembly, preparing the first assembly and a second portion of the gas turbine engine component for processing, and processing the first assembly and second portion to form a second assembly. In another embodiment, the method includes processing a first plurality of CMC plies to form a first assembly; positioning the first assembly and a second plurality of CMC plies on a tool for processing, the first assembly defining a first plane, the second plurality of plies defining a second plane, wherein the second plane is perpendicular to the first plane; and processing the first assembly and the second plurality of plies to form a second assembly.

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: A process for producing airfoil components containing ceramic-based materials and having a tip cap. The process entails forming an airfoil portion of the component from an airfoil portion material that contains a precursor of a ceramic-based material. The airfoil portion material defines concave and convex walls of the airfoil portion, and the concave and convex walls define a tip region of the airfoil portion and at least one cavity within the airfoil portion. At least a first ply is formed that contains a precursor of a ceramic-based material, and the first ply at least partially closes the cavity at the tip region of the airfoil portion. The airfoil portion material and the first ply are then cured so that the first ply forms a tip cap that closes the cavity and the precursors of the airfoil portion material and first ply are converted to the ceramic-based materials thereof.

Abstract: A turbine blade sealing structure for a ceramic matrix composite component is provided. The turbine sealing structure includes at least one top ply abutting a top portion of a shank. The at least one top ply extends out over the top portion of the shank. The turbine sealing structure includes at least one side ply abutting a side portion of the shank. The at least one side ply extends along a side portion of the shank.

Abstract: A method of making a ceramic matrix composite blade includes laying up at least one ply of the plurality of fibrous ceramic plies in a preselected arrangement to form an airfoil and dovetail preform, laying up at least one additional ply of the plurality of fibrous ceramic plies on the airfoil and dovetail preform in a second preselected arrangement to form an integral platform as part of the non-rigidized blade preform, rigidizing the blade preform to form a rigidized blade preform, and densifying the rigidized blade preform to form a ceramic matrix composite blade having an integral platform structure. A tool for making the ceramic matrix composite blade and a ceramic matrix composite blade are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for producing airfoil components containing ceramic-based materials and having a tip cap. The process entails forming an airfoil portion of the component from an airfoil portion material that contains a precursor of a ceramic-based material. The airfoil portion material defines concave and convex walls of the airfoil portion, and the concave and convex walls define a tip region of the airfoil portion and at least one cavity within the airfoil portion. At least a first ply is formed that contains a precursor of a ceramic-based material, and the first ply at least partially closes the cavity at the tip region of the airfoil portion. The airfoil portion material and the first ply are then cured so that the first ply forms a tip cap that closes the cavity and the precursors of the airfoil portion material and first ply are converted to the ceramic-based materials thereof.

Abstract: A rotor blade assembly for a rotor of a gas turbine engine having an axis of rotation includes a shank portion formed from a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material. The rotor blade assembly also includes a platform portion formed from a substantially similar CMC material as that of the shank portion. The platform portion is coupled to the shank portion. The platform portion and the shank portion cooperate to at least partially define two opposing side portions of the rotor blade assembly. The opposing side portions are angularly separated with respect to the axis of rotation. The rotor blade assembly further includes a damper retention apparatus. The damper retention apparatus is coupled to the shank portion. The damper retention apparatus includes at least one angled bracket apparatus extending toward a circumferentially adjacent rotor blade assembly.

Abstract: A method of making a ceramic matrix composite blade includes laying up at least one ply of the plurality of fibrous ceramic plies in a preselected arrangement to form an airfoil and dovetail preform, laying up at least one additional ply of the plurality of fibrous ceramic plies on the airfoil and dovetail preform in a second preselected arrangement to form an integral platform as part of the non-rigidized blade preform, rigidizing the blade preform to form a rigidized blade preform, and densifying the rigidized blade preform to form a ceramic matrix composite blade having an integral platform structure. A tool for making the ceramic matrix composite blade and a ceramic matrix composite blade are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method enables a rotor assembly for a gas turbine engine to be fabricated. The method includes forming a blade including an airfoil extending from an integral dovetail used to mount the blade within the rotor assembly, and extending a projection from at least a portion of the blade, such that the stresses induced within at least a portion of the blade are facilitated to be maintained below a predetermined failure threshold for the blade to facilitate preventing failure of the blade.

Abstract: A method enables a rotor assembly for a gas turbine engine to be fabricated. The method includes forming a blade including an airfoil extending from an integral dovetail used to mount the blade within the rotor assembly, and extending a projection from at least a portion of the blade, such that the stresses induced within at least a portion of the blade are facilitated to be maintained below a predetermined failure threshold for the blade to facilitate preventing failure of the blade.