Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning internal channels in an article are presented, with the method comprising providing an article that comprises at least one internal channel. The at least one internal channel comprises at least one inlet port and at least one outlet port. The method further comprises providing a cleaning apparatus, and this cleaning apparatus comprises a cleaning fluid, a reservoir containing the cleaning fluid, a transmitter of vibrational energy projecting into the reservoir the transmitter comprising a transmitter tip and a source of vibrational energy coupled to the transmitter, with the vibrational energy comprising a frequency and a wavelength. The reservoir of the provided apparatus comprises an interface adapted to accommodate attachment of the reservoir to the article, and this interface comprises an orifice to allow fluid communication between the reservoir and the at least one internal channel of the article.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning internal channels in an article are presented, with the method comprising providing an article that comprises at least one internal channel. The at least one internal channel comprises at least one inlet port and at least one outlet port. The method further comprises providing a cleaning apparatus, and this cleaning apparatus comprises a cleaning fluid, a reservoir containing the cleaning fluid, a transmitter of vibrational energy projecting into the reservoir the transmitter comprising a transmitter tip and a source of vibrational energy coupled to the transmitter, with the vibrational energy comprising a frequency and a wavelength. The reservoir of the provided apparatus comprises an interface adapted to accommodate attachment of the reservoir to the article, and this interface comprises an orifice to allow fluid communication between the reservoir and the at least one internal channel of the article.

Abstract: A method of forming an internal channel within an article, such as a cooling channel in an air-cooled blade, vane, shroud, combustor or duct of a gas turbine engine. The method generally entails forming a substrate to have a groove recessed in its surface. A sacrificial material is then deposited in the groove to form a filler that can be preferentially removed from the groove. A permanent layer is then deposited on the surface of the substrate and over the filler, after which the filler is removed from the groove to yield the desired channel in the substrate beneath the permanent layer.

Abstract: Oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) Ni-base alloy foils are made directly from powders of these alloys by hot pressing. These ODS Ni-base alloy foils are characterized by having a thickness of 0.017 in. or less, and by the fact that they are fine-grained and substantially free of nitrogen and deformation induced defects. The as-pressed ODS Ni-base alloy foils are adapted for subsequent forming operations, including cold rolling. The reduction in thickness imparted in a single pass to an Ni-base alloy foil through cold-rolling was about 8%. The total reduction in thickness was about 55% based upon a plurality of such passes. For reductions in thickness greater than 20%, annealing is employed for stress relief.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in hot pressing metal alloy foils, such as by HIP, directly from metal alloy powders. The invention is a metal container with a cavity having near-net shape of a thin metal foil. The cavity may be lined with a diffusion inhibiting material, so as to inhibit the interdiffusion between the metal container and the metal alloy powder during hot pressing. The apparatus also may include an integrally formed orifice for evacuating the metal container.

Abstract: Ni-base alloy foils are made directly from Ni-base alloy powders by hot pressing. These Ni-base alloy foils are characterized by having a thickness of 0.017 in. or less, and by the fact that they are fine-grained and substantially free of oxygen, nitrogen and deformation-induced defects. The as-pressed Ni-base foils are generally ductile and adapted for subsequent forming operations, including cold rolling. The reduction in thickness imparted in a single pass to a Ni-base alloy foil through cold-rolling ranged from 4-10% depending on the alloy composition. The total reduction in thickness ranged from about 10-50% based upon a plurality of such passes. For reductions in thickness greater than about 10%, annealing is employed for stress relief.

Abstract: A regulating gas flow valve is operatively connected to an oscillating molten metal spray forming ring converter through which a molten metal stream passes. The passing metal stream is impacted by gas jets from the converter which breaks up the metal stream into a spray pattern of small molten metal droplets. The valve regulates the flow of gas into the converter as a function of the converter oscillation which also operates the valve.

Abstract: A method for making metal alloy foils directly from metal alloy powder is described. The metal alloy foils are formed by the use of a combination of a means for heating and a means for pressing, such as a hot isostatic press, to densify a metal alloy powder so as to directly form a metal alloy foil. The metal alloy powder is contained within an apparatus which has a near-net shape of a foil, such that the application of heat and pressure will consolidate the metal powder and form the metal alloy foil. This method may be used to make metal foils out of a wide variety of metal alloys, particularly high temperature alloys, such as Ti-base, Ni-base, and B-base and Al-Si alloys. After the step with heating and pressing, the metal alloy foil is removed from the apparatus which is used to contain it, such as by the use of chemical etching or milling.