Abstract: A method for manufacturing an airfoil includes casting the airfoil around a core and creating a hole through a surface of the airfoil with a water jet. The method further includes striking at least a portion of the core inside the airfoil with the water jet and removing the core from inside the airfoil.

Abstract: A composite filter media structure and an associated method of making are provided. The structure includes a base substrate that includes a nonwoven fabric substrate formed from a plurality of bicomponent synthetic fibers using a spunbond process. The composite filter media structure includes a nanofiber layer deposited on one side of the base substrate by an electro-blown spinning process. In one aspect, the base substrate and the nanofiber layer are configured to provide at least an 85% filtration efficiency measured in accordance with an ASHRAE 52.2-1999 test method. In another aspect, the nanofiber layer has a basis weight of about 2.0 g/m2 to about 3.0 g/m2.

Abstract: An accessory filter for enhancing the operation of a HVAC panel filter, the HVAC panel filter having a peripheral frame that is receivable in a filter mount of a forced air HVAC system. The accessory filter includes a filter sheet having planar dimensions matching the frame; and adhesive attached near the edges of the filter sheet operable to adhere the filter sheet to the frame. The filter sheet has a thickness substantially thinner than that of the HVAC panel filter. The filter sheet thickness allows the HVAC panel filter and the accessory filter to coextensively fit in the filter mount.

Abstract: A turbomachine includes a compressor having a compressor intake, and an intake system mounted upstream of the compressor intake. The intake system includes a housing and a plurality of selectively positionable vanes arranged within the housing. The plurality of selectively positionable vanes are moveable between a first position to remove a first amount of foreign particles, and a second position, to remove a second amount of foreign particles.

Abstract: A composite filter media structure and an associated method of making are provided. The structure includes a base substrate that includes a nonwoven fabric substrate formed from a plurality of bicomponent synthetic fibers using a spunbond process. The composite filter media structure includes a nanofiber layer deposited on one side of the base substrate by an electro-blown spinning process. In one aspect, the base substrate and the nanofiber layer are configured to provide at least an 85% filtration efficiency measured in accordance with an ASHRAE 52.2-1999 test method. In another aspect, the nanofiber layer has a basis weight of about 2.0 g/m2 to about 3.0 g/m2.

Abstract: A candle filter includes an end portion, elongate interior structure extending from the end portions and defining a space for a fluid, and a membrane fabric for filtering a substance from the fluid as the fluid passes through the membrane fabric and into the space defined by the interior structure. The membrane fabric extends around the interior structure and to the first end portion. The membrane fabric includes at least one extending tab segment for manipulating to move the membrane fabric relative to the elongate interior structure. An associated method provides an operational candle filter.

Abstract: A turbomachine includes a compressor having a compressor intake, and an intake system mounted upstream of the compressor intake. The intake system includes a housing and a plurality of selectively positionable vanes arranged within the housing. The plurality of selectively positionable vanes are moveable between a first position to remove a first amount of foreign particles, and a second position, to remove a second amount of foreign particles.

Abstract: An air filter. The air filter may include a frame made of a beverage board material, a filter media with a number of pleats, and one or more stiffener bands. The stiffener bands may include a number of teeth sized to mate with at least one of the pleats.

Abstract: One aspect of invention is a filter media for use in a filter having an upstream surface relative to normal airflow through the filter media and an opposite downstream surface. The filter media includes a substrate material selected from the group consisting of nonwoven porous synthetic material, cellulose, and combinations thereof. The substrate is adapted to be positioned in the filter media as the upstream surface. A layer of meltspun fine fibers engaged to the substrate. At least about 85% of the fine fibers have diameters less than 1000 nanometers in diameter. The layer of meltspun fine fibers is adapted to be positioned in the filter media as the downstream surface.

Abstract: A method for casting an airfoil for a turbine engine is provided. The method includes forming a casting core to define a hollow portion in the airfoil and forming a print out region at one end of the casting core. The method also includes coupling the casting core to the print out region with at least one frusto-conical member to facilitate structurally supporting the casting core.

Abstract: A turbine nozzle is disclosed having a nozzle blade with an inner band, wherein the inner band has a region to receive a nozzle cover plate and at least one raised angel wing seal land section proximate a side of the recess; the nozzle cover plate is seated on the region of the inner band and the plate has a raised angel wing seal land section aligned with the at least one raised angel wing seal land section on the inner band, wherein the perimeter of the nozzle cover is welded to the inner band; a slot in the angel wing seal land is adjacent the perimeter of the cover plate, and the slot is filled with an insert after the cover plate is welded to the nozzle inner band.

Abstract: A method for casting an airfoil for a turbine engine is provided. The method includes forming a casting core to define a hollow portion in the airfoil and forming a print out region at one end of the casting core. The method also includes coupling the casting core to the print out region with at least one frusto-conical member to facilitate structurally supporting the casting core.

Abstract: A pair of hollow elongated leg sections are disposed in one or more of the nozzle vane cavities of a nozzle stage of a gas turbine. Each leg section has an outer wall portion with apertures for impingement-cooling of nozzle wall portions in registration with the outer wall portions. The leg sections may be installed into the cavity separately and support rods support and maintain the leg sections in spaced relation, whereby the designed impingement gap between the outer wall portions of the leg sections and the nozzle wall portions is achieved. The support rods are secured to the inner wall portions of the leg sections by welding or brazing.

Abstract: Apertures in airfoils for use in a hot gas path of a turbine are formed from the interior of the airfoil to the exterior in circumstances where line-of-sight access from locations external to the nozzle is inhibited or prohibited. A water jet nozzle head is disposed in a cavity within the airfoil and angled at the desired inclination to cut an angled hole through the airfoil wall using a water jet and abrasive material contained in the water. A protective device, e.g., a backstop or shield, is provided on the outside of the nozzle to prevent damage to other portions of the nozzle from the water jet which would otherwise impinge but for the protective device.

Abstract: A method of drilling holes in an component, such as a turbine airfoil or bucket platform, the method including disposing a protective insert including a water jet blocking material adjacent a backside of the structure to be drilled and water jet drilling at least one hole in the structure, through to the backside. In one embodiment, the jet blocking material is comprised of carbide or a similar material that is more resistant to water jet drilling forces than the structure being drilled.

Abstract: A coolant flow control structure is provided to channel cooling media flow to the fillet region defined at the transition between the wall of a nozzle vane and a wall of a nozzle segment, for cooling the fillet region. In an exemplary embodiment, the flow control structure defines a gap with the fillet region to achieve the required heat transfer coefficients in this region to meet part life requirements.

Abstract: A method of drilling holes in an component, such as a turbine airfoil or bucket platform, the method including disposing a protective insert including a water jet blocking material adjacent a backside of the structure to be drilled and water jet drilling at least one hole in the structure, through to the backside. In one embodiment, the jet blocking material is comprised of carbide or a similar material that is more resistant to water jet drilling forces than the structure being drilled.

Abstract: A coolant flow control structure is provided to channel cooling media flow to the fillet region defined at the transition between the wall of a nozzle vane and a wall of a nozzle segment, for cooling the fillet region. In an exemplary embodiment, the flow control structure defines a gap with the fillet region to achieve the required heat transfer coefficients in this region to meet part life requirements.

Abstract: A method of drilling holes in an component, such as a turbine airfoil or bucket platform, the method including disposing a protective insert including a water jet blocking material adjacent a backside of the structure to be drilled and water jet drilling at least one hole in the structure, through to the backside. In one embodiment, the jet blocking material is comprised of carbide or a similar material that is more resistant to water jet drilling forces than the structure being drilled.

Abstract: An apparatus for identifying and clearing blockages in cooling orifices of an airfoil is described. The apparatus includes a processor for controlling the various functions of the apparatus. Light is directed into a cavity of the airfoil and a detector is used for detecting light passing through the orifices. The processor determines blockages of the orifices by comparing detected light pattern with a predetermined pattern. The apparatus further includes a nozzle controlled by the processor for directing pressurized water to open the blocked orifices.