Abstract: A thrust bearing support assembly includes a first substantially trapezoidally-shaped side, and a second substantially rectangularly-shaped side coupled to the first side. The thrust bearing support assembly also includes a third substantially trapezoidally-shaped side coupled to the second side, and a fourth substantially rectangularly-shaped side coupled to the first and third sides.

Abstract: A method of reducing gas turbine engine distortion includes coupling a core gas turbine engine to a power turbine, coupling the power turbine to a thrust bearing support assembly through a frusto-conically shaped structural support such that the net axial thrust of the coupled core gas turbine engine and power turbine reacts through the thrust bearing support assembly at engine centerline to facilitate minimizing distortion of the core gas turbine engine casing, and supporting the thrust bearing support assembly such that all of the remaining thrust generated by the core gas turbine engine and the power turbine is reacted to ground.

Abstract: A method of reducing gas turbine engine distortion includes coupling a core gas turbine engine to a power turbine, coupling the power turbine to a thrust bearing support assembly through a frusto-conically shaped structural support such that the net axial thrust of the coupled core gas turbine engine and power turbine reacts through the thrust bearing support assembly at engine centerline to facilitate minimizing distortion of the core gas turbine engine casing, and supporting the thrust bearing support assembly such that all of the remaining thrust generated by the core gas turbine engine and the power turbine is reacted to ground.

Abstract: A method enables a variable vane assembly for a gas turbine engine to be coupled to an engine casing. The variable vane assembly includes a bushing assembly and at least one variable vane that includes a platform and a vane stem. The method comprises coupling a first bushing to the engine casing in a press fit, coupling a second bushing to the variable vane, and coupling the variable vane to the engine casing such that at least a portion of the first bushing is between the engine casing and the second bushing, and such that at least a portion of the second bushing is between the first bushing and the vane stem.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for determining a transfer function relating a critical to quality parameter to key parameters in a design for six sigma process. The method includes determining a dimensionless group containing a plurality of key parameters. The key parameters may include key control parameters or key noise parameters that have an affect on the critical to quality parameter. A transfer function relating the dimensionless group to the critical to quality parameter is then generated.

Abstract: A method enables a variable vane assembly for a gas turbine engine to be coupled to an engine casing. The variable vane assembly includes a bushing assembly and at least one variable vane that includes a platform and a vane stem. The method comprises coupling a first bushing to the engine casing in a press fit, coupling a second bushing to the variable vane, and coupling the variable vane to the engine casing such that at least a portion of the first bushing is between the engine casing and the second bushing, and such that at least a portion of the second bushing is between the first bushing and the vane stem.

Abstract: A method of developing a confidence level in reliability or producibility prediction scores that includes generating data for a set of factors, inserting the data into scorecards and dashboards, and calculating an overall Z score and Z confidence range. The scorecards and dashboards are used to calculate the confidence level in reliability scores. Each reliability or producibility factor may be weighted as to its importance to the overall confidence level. Factors included in the method include accuracy of the critical to quality flowdown; completeness of the critical to quality flowdown; percentage of the design analyzed; comprehensiveness of the design analysis; risk assessment analysis; percentage of component. subassembly or product reuse from other projects; percentage of the design complete; verification of the process capability; plant integration; order to remittance process integration; extent of pilot run; and effectiveness of a test plan.