Abstract: The disclosure describes methods and devices for directing cooling air to cool CMC components. A baffle member or splash plate is used to direct the flow of cooling air towards an outer radial surface of a CMC component into a one or more cooling cavities provided within the interior of the CMC component. The splash plate provides an efficient distribution of cooling air into the one or more cooling cavities and aids in the cooling of the component to reduce the formation of thermal stresses induced by the thermal differential between the outer radial surface (cold side) and inner radial surface (hot side) of the component.

Abstract: The disclosure describes methods and devices for directing/controlling cooling air flow for cooling CMC components. A cover plate is positioned within a cooling cavity in the CMC component wherein the cover plate is angled to vary the depth of the cooling cavity between the cover plate and a bottom wall of the cavity. The angled cooling plate can be used to vary the flux of cooling air within the cooling cavity and thereby achieve a desired cooling performance within the cooling cavity.

Abstract: Attachment pins are used to attach a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) component to a support structure, the attachment pins passing through openings in flange structures extending from a surface of the CMC component. The attachment pins are provided with a cooling air passageway extending in an axial direction, the cooling passageway having an inlet opening in a first end of the attachment pin for introduction of cooling air, and each attachment pin having one or more cooling air outlets extending radially from the cooling air passageway to provide for discharge of cooling air in a desired direction.

Abstract: A cover plate for enclosing a cooling cavity of a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) component of a turbine engine may include a base plate dimensioned to cover an open cooling cavity of the CMC component. The base plate has a first side facing the cooling cavity and at least one feature plate is attached to the first side of the base plate. At least one heat transfer augmentation feature is formed on the at least one feature plate and extends into the cooling cavity, wherein the at least one heat transfer augmentation feature is configured to cause turbulence in a cooling air flow within the cooling cavity. Thus, rather than forming complex heat transfer augmentation features on the cooling cavity of the CMC component itself, such features can be easily provided using metal plate or sheet material or separately-formed CMC elements on the cover plate.

Abstract: A cooling flow arrangement for a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) component of a turbine engine, wherein the CMC component includes a hot side configured for exposure to a hot gas path of the turbine engine and an opposing cold side. At least one cavity is provided in the CMC component, the at least one cavity having an entrance disposed on the cold side that is configured for receiving a cooling flow. A seal is disposed adjacent the at least one cavity and the cold side of the CMC component and is configured to provide a seal between the CMC component and an upstream turbine component. At least one hole extends through the seal and is positioned to provide the cooling flow to the at least one cavity of the CMC component.

Abstract: An abradable coating/thermal barrier coating suitable for use with jet engine CMC components is described which comprises a material selected from hafnon, mixtures of hafnon and zircon, and rare earth disilicates (RE2Si2O7), wherein RE is Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, or Lu. The coating has a porosity gradient wherein the porosity decreases in a radial direction. The porosity gradient provides a progressively increasing wear resistance to slow the rate of rub interaction. The porosity gradient also reduces the thermal gradient through the coating thereby reducing the formation of thermal stresses within the coating and any underlying CMC component.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) component having a cooling cavity. The CMC component has a base having a bottom inner surface and a top outer surface, in which the base is made from a plurality of ceramic fiber plies within a matrix. A cooling cavity is provided within the base in which the cooling cavity has an opening in the top outer surface of the base. A cover plate made from one or more ceramic fiber plies within a matrix is provided to close the opening of the cooling cavity. The cover plate is bonded to the base by simultaneous densification of the base and cooling cavity.

Abstract: The disclosure describes methods and devices for retaining and sealing cover plates or impingement plates for CMC components. One or more spring members are used to retain the cover plate or impingement plate in position to cover/seal cooling cavities within the interior of CMC components. The spring members include a contact region that contacts the cover plate or impingement plate, and an end section that contacts a restraining member.

Abstract: The incorporation of non-structural ceramic plies to a CMC component or preform is used to provide one or more passages allows for cooling air to pass between segregated cooling cavities. In various embodiments, this may include preforming additional layers of non-structural plies to allow for machining of one or more metered passages, or the incorporation of a pre-formed passage or passages into non-structural ply layups. The one or more passages may be machined and/or preformed and may include cylindrical, racetrack, slot, conical or similar geometries. The one or more passage may be used to pass cooling air between cavities separated by sealing features (W-seal, feather seal, etc.). Bypassing discrete sealing features is beneficial to control and/or meter cooling air flow between high-pressure and lower-pressure cavities.

Abstract: The incorporation of non-structural ceramic plies to a CMC component or preform is used to provide one or more passages allows for cooling air to pass between segregated cooling cavities. In various embodiments, this may include preforming additional layers of non-structural plies to allow for machining of one or more metered passages, or the incorporation of a pre-formed passage or passages into non-structural ply layups. The one or more passages may be machined and/or preformed and may include cylindrical, racetrack, slot, conical or similar geometries. The one or more passage may be used to pass cooling air between cavities separated by sealing features (W-seal, feather seal, etc.). Bypassing discrete sealing features is beneficial to control and/or meter cooling air flow between high-pressure and lower-pressure cavities.

Abstract: The disclosure describes methods and devices for directing/controlling cooling air flow for cooling CMC components. A cover plate is positioned within a cooling cavity in the CMC component wherein the cover plate is angled to vary the depth of the cooling cavity between the cover plate and a bottom wall of the cavity. The angled cooling plate can be used to vary the flux of cooling air within the cooling cavity and thereby achieve a desired cooling performance within the cooling cavity.

Abstract: An airfoil includes a platform and an airfoil section that are formed of a ceramic matrix composite that includes core fiber plies, skin fiber plies, platform fiber plies, and a cooling passage that extends through selected ones of the plies to provide a cooling circuit through the airfoil section and into the platform.

Abstract: An airfoil includes a platform and an airfoil section that are formed of a ceramic matrix composite that includes core fiber plies, skin fiber plies, platform fiber plies, and a cooling passage that extends through selected ones of the plies to provide a cooling circuit through the airfoil section and into the platform.

Abstract: An airfoil includes a platform and an airfoil section. The airfoil section and the platform are formed of a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) having fiber plies and a ceramic matrix, the fiber plies include first and second groups of core fiber plies that respectively define first and second radial tubes that circumscribe first and second internal cavities in the airfoil section. Skin fiber plies define an exterior of the airfoil section, wrap around the first and second groups of core fiber plies, and flare outwardly through a fillet into the platform. Platform fiber plies extend in the platform adjacent the skin fiber plies. There is at least one closed-circuit cooling passage defined in the fiber plies. The cooling passage initiates from the first internal cavity, extends within the platform, and ends at the second internal cavity.

Abstract: Systems and methods of operating a wheel are described herein. The wheel includes a plurality of game wedges and a wedge selector. The plurality of game wedges includes a first variable wedge, a second variable wedge, and at least one moveable wedge. Each game wedge is associated with a respective award and a respective probability of selection. The method includes generating, using a random-number generator, a random number representing a selected game wedge of the plurality of game wedges, causing the wedge selector to visibly identify the selected game wedge, and in response to a trigger game wedge of the game wedges being the selected game wedge, shifting the moveable wedge around the wheel to change a visible size of the first variable wedge and the respective probability of selection of the first variable game wedge proportional to the change in visible size.

Abstract: A gaming system includes electronic components that implement a value-aggregation procedure for displaying, combining, and awarding credit values in a reel-spinning venue.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a gaming machine for playing at least one casino wagering game, one or more electronic display devices, and game-logic circuitry. The game-logic circuitry directs at least one of the display devices to display a progressive jackpot, detects, via at least one electronic input device of the gaming machine, a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance, increments the progressive jackpot in response to play of the casino wagering game, directs at least one of the electronic display devices to display an outcome resulting from the casino wagering game, awards the progressive jackpot in response to the displayed outcome being a progressive-winning outcome and/or in response to the progressive jackpot being incremented to a triggering amount, and receives, via at least one of the electronic input devices, a cashout input that initiates a payout from the credit balance.

Abstract: Systems and methods of operating a wheel are described herein. The wheel includes a plurality of game wedges and a wedge selector. The plurality of game wedges includes a first variable wedge, a second variable wedge, and at least one moveable wedge. Each game wedge is associated with a respective award and a respective probability of selection. The method includes generating, using a random-number generator, a random number representing a selected game wedge of the plurality of game wedges, causing the wedge selector to visibly identify the selected game wedge, and in response to a trigger game wedge of the game wedges being the selected game wedge, shifting the moveable wedge around the wheel to change a visible size of the first variable wedge and the respective probability of selection of the first variable game wedge proportional to the change in visible size.

Abstract: Systems and methods of operating a wheel are described herein. The wheel includes a plurality of game wedges and a wedge selector. The plurality of game wedges includes a first variable wedge, a second variable wedge, and at least one moveable wedge. Each game wedge is associated with a respective award and a respective probability of selection. The method includes generating, using a random-number generator, a random number representing a selected game wedge of the plurality of game wedges, causing the wedge selector to visibly identify the selected game wedge, and in response to a trigger game wedge of the game wedges being the selected game wedge, shifting the moveable wedge around the wheel to change a visible size of the first variable wedge and the respective probability of selection of the first variable game wedge proportional to the change in visible size.

Abstract: A gaming system includes electronic components that implement a value-aggregation procedure for displaying, combining, and awarding credit values in a reel-spinning venue.