Abstract: A method for inhibiting an explosive atmosphere in a wellbore drilling system, including a riser (12) connected to a wellbore above a top thereof wherein the riser has a fluid outlet (17) below a surface of a body of water in which the wellbore is drilled, and wherein the fluid outlet is connected to a subsea pump to return drilling fluid to a drilling platform on the water surface and wherein a space in the riser (12) above the drilling fluid level filled with air includes pumping drilling fluid into a drill string (15) extending from the drilling platform into the wellbore. Fluid (27) is introduced proximate an upper end of the riser (12). A rate of introducing the fluid (27) is selected to inhibit an explosive atmosphere in the space in the riser above the drilling fluid level. The subsea pump to remove fluid from the riser outlet is operated at a rate selected to maintain the fluid level or to maintain a selected wellbore pressure.

Abstract: A downhole activation system within a tubular. The system includes an axially movable member; a first magnetic field source having a first field with a first axial orientation movable with the member. A second magnetic field source having a second field with an axial orientation different from the first orientation and separated from the first magnetic field source. The second field being magnetically repulsed by the first field; and, a biasing device urging the second magnetic field source towards the first magnetic field source; wherein movement of the first magnet via the member towards the second magnet moves the second magnet in a direction against the biasing device. A method of activating an activatable member in a downhole tubular.

Abstract: Downhole tools, such as MWD modules (or components), may be coupled together with a coupler (or coupling device) having a shall housing with slidable electrical connectors disposed at each end. The electrical connectors may each be supported in connector housings disposed with springs or other movable devices. In a first position, the electrical connectors may extend past the ends of the shaft housing. The slidable connector housings allow the electrical connections to be made before the sleeves connecting (or mechanically connecting) the MWD modules with the coupler are begun to be threadedly attached with the coupler. Each of the connector housings may have a key configuration on their exposed end. The shaft housing may also have key configurations on its ends. The key configurations of the connector housings and the shaft housing may be configured to mate with compatible ends of MWD modules.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a weight setting indicator which is used to indicate that an applied force to a tool achieved or exceeded a predetermined amount. In one aspect, a packer actuator for use with a packer is provided. The packer actuator includes a body with a recess. The packer actuator further includes a dog assembly disposed in the recess of the body. The dog assembly is configured to set the packer when a force is applied to the packer actuator. The packer actuator also includes a setting indicator disposed in the recess adjacent an end of the dog assembly. The setting indicator is configured to move from a pre-set position to a post-set position when the force is applied to the packer actuator, wherein the setting indicator is plastically deformed in the post-set position.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining soil samples is described. A coring system includes a suction carrier, a pump and a corer. The suction carrier comprises a body defining a cavity and a top portion having an aperture. The pump is positioned adjacent to the aperture and constructed and arranged to deliver fluid from the cavity. The corer is constructed and arranged to releasably engage with the suction carrier.

Abstract: An excitation apparatus suitable for use downhole having interengaged masses at least in part confined or guided so as to be movable as an interengaged assembly on an axis, one mass (“rotatable mass”) being rotatable relative to the other mass about the axis to cyclically vary the axial length of the assembly of the interengaged masses, a rotary drive, and an interposed spring (of any kind) between the rotary drive and the rotatable mass able to transmit torque from the rotary drive to the rotatable mass yet vary in its extent responsive to the interengaged masses.

Abstract: A pump drive head for a progressing cavity pump comprises a top mounted stuffing box rotatably disposed around a compliantly mounted standpipe with a self or manually adjusting pressurization system for the stuffing box. To prevent rotary and vertical motion of the polish rod while servicing the stuffing box, a polished rod lock-out clamp is provided with the pump drive head integral with or adjacent to a blow-out-preventer which can be integrated with the pump drive head to save space and cost. A centrifugal backspin braking system located on the input shaft and actuated only in the backspin direction and a gear drive between the input shaft and output shaft are provided.

Abstract: Drag-enhancing structures for downhole operations are included in a downhole assembly that further includes a tool string, extends past a maximum transverse perimeter of the tool string, and increases resistance to fluid flow past the downhole assembly when the downhole assembly is pumped in a downhole direction within a wellbore conduit. The systems and methods include conveying the downhole assembly in the downhole direction within the wellbore conduit. The systems and methods further may include decreasing the resistance to fluid flow past the downhole assembly after the downhole assembly is located within a target region of the wellbore conduit and/or flowing a sealing material past the downhole assembly while the downhole assembly is located within the wellbore conduit.

Abstract: An inflatable packer includes an inflation assembly having an inner expandable bladder, an expandable support position about the bladder, and a reinforced sealing member positioned circumferentially about a portion of the support structure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sealing a well are disclosed. The method includes introducing a plug axially into the well, with a mouth of the plug turned up and a bottom wall part turned down, the plug being positioned in the well at a desired depth. The plug is inflated by injecting a high-pressure liquid into it via its mouth so that a tubular wall part of the plug expands radially beyond its elastic limit and presses firmly and tightly against the wall of the well by a crimping effect, while its bottom wall part serves as a sealing partition, forming a tight barrier between lower and upper parts of the well that it separates. The plug has an internal axial mandrel that connects its mouth to its bottom wall, the mandrel being pierced with channels that allow injection of high-pressure liquid inside the plug via the mouth and channels.

Abstract: A ball valve assembly is provided. The ball valve assembly comprises a pipe section having an axial bore for enabling fluid flow therethrough in use; a valve ball having an internal conduit, the valve ball being mounted within the pipe section and being for rotation with respect to the pipe section between an open position in which fluid within the axial bore may flow through the internal conduit and a closed position in which the internal conduit is inaccessible to fluid within the axial bore; a device configured to rotate the valve ball, the device being located radially outside the axial bore; and an encapsulation positioned to receive the valve ball and having portions located radially between the pipe bore and the device configured to rotate the valve ball, such that the encapsulation prevents fluid within the axial bore from accessing the device configured to rotate the valve ball.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve system for use in a downhole operation may include a pressure relief valve configured to relieve pressure from high pressure tubing extending between a pump and a wellhead, and may include a sensor operably disposed to detect pressure in the high pressure tubing. The pressure relief valve system also may include a controller having a pressure threshold stored therein. The controller may be configured to receive data from the sensor and compare the detected pressure to the stored pressure threshold. A valve actuation system may be in communication with the pressure relief valve and in communication with the controller. The valve actuation system may be configured to change the state of the pressure relief valve from a closed state to an open state in response to a command signal from the controller.

Abstract: An inflow assembly for controlling fluid flow between a hydrocarbon reservoir and a production casing in a well, comprising a first tubular having an axial extension and at least one inlet and a first wall with at least a first axial channel extending in the first wall from the inlet, a second tubular having a first and a second end and at least one outlet, the second tubular being rotatable within the first tubular and having a second wall with at least a second axial channel extending in the second wall from the first end to the outlet. The assembly is configured to control a fluid flow between a hydrocarbon reservoir and a production casing in a well. The inflow assembly may also be utilized in a downhole completion comprising a casing string.

Abstract: An assembly can include a housing that includes an opening, a bore extending from the opening along an axis and a sealable port; and a cable feed-through body that includes a first axial end, a second axial end, a bore extending between the axial ends, a tapered bore surface and a sealable port, the cable feed-through body being partially disposed within the bore of the housing to locate the second axial end at an axial distance from the opening of the housing that exceeds an axial distance of the sealable port of the housing to at least in part form a gland seal between the cable feed-through body and the bore of the housing. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method that is usable with a well includes introducing solids into a pneumatic stream to produce a solids-containing pneumatic stream; communicating the solids-containing pneumatic stream to a blender assembly to mix the solids with at least one other material to produce a flow; and pumping the flow into the well.

Abstract: A method and system for collecting information of a rig operation, including subterranean operations at a rig-site. The system may include an integrated control system, wherein the integrated control system monitors one or more rig operations, and comprises a centralized data acquisition server coupled to one or more sensor units of the rig operations. The system may further include a central computer that can communicate with sensor units, and store the data in a central time-synchronized database accessible by a central data acquisition server, wherein the central time-synchronized database collects data from the various sensors to generate a time-synchronized overview of rig operations.

Abstract: Completing a wellbore in a subsurface formation with packer assembly having first mechanically-set packer as first zonal isolation tool, and second zonal isolation tool comprises internal bore for receiving production fluids, and alternate flow channels. First packer has alternate flow channels around inner mandrel, and sealing element external to inner mandrel and includes operatively connecting packer assembly to a sand screen, and running into wellbore. First packer set by actuating sealing element into engagement with surrounding open-hole portion of the wellbore. Thereafter, injecting a gravel slurry and further injecting the gravel slurry through the alternate flow channels to allow it to bypass the sealing element, resulting in a gravel packed wellbore within an annular region between sand screen and surrounding formation below packer assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a downhole completion assembly for sealing and supporting an open hole section of a wellbore and filtering fluids passing therethrough. One system includes a sealing structure arranged within the open hole section and being movable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration, the sealing structure having one or more perforations defined therein, and a filter device arranged about the sealing structure so as to radially overlap the one or more perforations, the filter device being configured to screen fluids passing through the one or more perforations.

Abstract: A system for gas hydrate production. The system includes a tubular having a plurality of ports. The plurality of ports includes a first port configured to automatically open at a first differential pressure, and to remain closed at differential pressures below the first differential pressure. A second port configured to remain closed at the first differential pressure, and to automatically open at a second differential pressure greater than the first differential pressure; wherein the second port is located uphole of the first port. Also included is a method of improving methane hydrate production.

Abstract: A system and method for lifting reservoir fluids from reservoir to surface through a wellbore having a first tubing string extending through a packer in a wellbore casing. The system includes a bi-flow connector in the first tubing string, a second tubing string in the first tubing string below the bi-flow connector, and a third tubing string in the first tubing string above and connected with the bi-flow connector. A fluid displacement device in the third tubing string is configured to move reservoir fluids to the surface. The first tubing string allows pressured gas to move from the surface through the bi-flow connector to commingle with and lift reservoir fluids through annuli defined by the first and second tubing strings and defined by the casing and the first tubing string. The bi-flow connector is configured to allow simultaneous and non-contacting flow of the downward pressured gas and lifted reservoir fluid.

Abstract: A wet connection system comprises a fixed tubing with an orientation profile and redundant, first and second fixed wet connectors, and an electrical submersible pump assembly (ESP) comprising a wet connector and an orientation element for engaging the orientation profile. The ESP can be reconfigured, for example, by interchanging its component modules so as to change the position of its wet connector with respect to the orientation element, whereby the wet connector on the ESP can be engaged alternatively with either one of the fixed wet connectors when the orientation element is engaged with the orientation profile in the same deployed position of the ESP.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a system and methods for the production of hydrocarbons. The method includes flowing a stream directly from a hydrocarbon reservoir to a cavern and performing a phase separation of the stream within the cavern to form an aqueous phase and an organic phase. The method also includes flowing at least a portion of the aqueous phase or the organic phase, or both, directly from the cavern to a subsurface location and offloading at least a portion of the organic phase from the cavern to a surface.

Abstract: A method for hydrocarbon resource recovery in a subterranean formation includes forming a laterally extending injector well in the subterranean formation and forming a laterally extending producer well spaced below the injector well. The method may also include radio frequency (RF) heating the subterranean formation to establish hydraulic communication between the injector well and the producer well. The method may further include injecting heated liquid water into the injector well to recover hydrocarbon resources from the producer well based upon the hydraulic communication therebetween.

Abstract: A device is provided for extracting a hydrocarbon-containing substance from a reservoir. Thermal energy can be applied to the reservoir in order to reduce the viscosity of the substance. The device includes at least one conductor loop for inductively supplying electric current, to provide electric and/or electromagnetic heating, and a fluid conducting device for transporting and introducing a solvent fluid into the reservoir, to further reduce the viscosity of the substance.

Abstract: An RF antenna assembly is positioned within a wellbore in a subterranean formation for hydrocarbon resource recovery. The RF antenna assembly includes first and second tubular conductors and a dielectric isolator therebetween. The dielectric isolator includes a dielectric tube having opposing first and second open ends, a first tubular connector having a first slotted recess receiving therein the first open end of the dielectric tube, and a second tubular connector having a second slotted recess receiving therein the second open end of the dielectric tube.

Abstract: A radio frequency applicator and method for heating a geological formation is disclosed. A radio frequency source configured to apply a differential mode signal is connected to a coaxial conductor including an outer conductor pipe and an inner conductor. The inner conductor is coupled to a second conductor pipe through one or more metal jumpers. One or more current chokes, such as a common mode choke or antenna balun, are installed around the outer conductor pipe and the second conductor pipe to concentrate electromagnetic radiation within a hydrocarbon formation. The outer conductor pipe and the second conductor pipe can be traditional well pipes for extracting hydrocarbons, such as a steam pipe and an extraction pipe of a steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) system. An apparatus and method for installing a current choke are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mobile water conversion system including an electro-coagulation stage, a microfiltration stage, a cooling stage, a nanofiltration stage, and a reverse osmosis stage. The electro-coagulation stage receives heated input water, such as geothermal brackish water, and reduces total suspended solids. The microfiltration stage removes suspended solids and dissolved solids. The cooling stage provides cooled brine water. The nanofiltration stage removes hardness from the cooled brine water to provide sodium brine water. A portion of sodium brine water is provided to circulating water in the cooling stage. The reverse osmosis stage reduces sodium content and provides fresh water suitable for a specified purpose, such as fracking.

Abstract: A computer method, apparatus and system simulate hydraulic fracturing. The computer system/method models a wellbore of an injection well. The wellbore model includes a hydraulic drill pipe element in a borehole and related fluid flow in the borehole. The borehole workflow is modeled in a subject rock formation. A simulator operatively coupled to the model obtains pressure values from the modeled borehole workflow and modeled wellbore. The simulator automatically converts pore pressure from the modeled borehole into a mechanical pressure load on the subject rock formation. The mechanical pressure as hydrostatic pressure is automatically applied to the surface of the rock formation affected by the borehole and responsively defines one or more pressure induced fractures. A 2D or 3D graphical representation of the pressure induced fractures in the rock formation are displayed on output.

Abstract: Methods of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore, by providing a treatment fluid comprising a blend including a first amount of particulates having a first average particle size between about 3 mm and 2 cm and a second amount of particulates having a second average size between about 1.6 and 20 times smaller than the first average particle size or a second amount of flakes having a second average size up to 10 times smaller than the first average particle size; by introducing the treatment fluid into the well bore; and by creating a plug with the treatment fluid.

Abstract: A cloud computing method for geosteering during directional drilling of a wellbore. The method includes a cloud processor, cloud data storage, and client devices in communication with the cloud processor through a network. The cloud processor receives data from directional drilling equipment and presents that data to users in an executive dashboard. Users can send data and/or commands to the directional drilling equipment. The executive dashboard can present: a portion of interest in a stratigraphic cross section for user identification of: the drill bit in the stratigraphic cross section, formations in the stratigraphic cross section, and other formation data. The method can be used to: identify a projected path for the drill bit, import data, compute wellbore profiles and stratigraphic cross sections, plot actual drilling paths, overlay the actual drilling path onto the projected path, and present control buttons to the user.

Abstract: A method for operating a pulsed neutron generator including an ionizer with an electron emitting cathode and a grid wherein the cathode and grid are disposed in a sealed chamber. At least one of the following is applicable to the ionizer; a distance between the cathode and the grid, a cathode current and/or a potential on the grid are selected such that the ionizer operates at most about one-half the space charge limited current for a grid current selected to provide a predetermined amount of neutron production.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically visualizing fluid velocity in subsurface reservoirs by displaying a particle at different locations on a streamline that represents a fluid path and a fluid velocity in the subsurface reservoir. The systems and methods may be used to display the actual fluid velocity or a proportionate fluid velocity for a respective streamline at predetermined incremental time steps.

Abstract: A subsea processor may be located near the seabed of a drilling site and used to coordinate operations of underwater drilling components. The subsea processor may be enclosed in a single interchangeable unit that fits a receptor on an underwater drilling component, such as a blow-out preventer (BOP). The subsea processor may issue commands to control the BOP and receive measurements from sensors located throughout the BOP. A shared communications bus may interconnect the subsea processor and underwater components and the subsea processor and a surface or onshore network. The shared communications bus may be operated according to a time division multiple access (TDMA) scheme.

Abstract: Provided is a coring apparatus for collecting marine sediments, and more particularly, to a coring apparatus having a core filled with marine sediments when the coring apparatus is inserted into a seabed.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus, comprising a primary flowline, a secondary flowline, a dump flowline not provided downstream of the secondary flowline, and a relief valve provided in the dump flowline, may be disposed in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation. A method of use of the sampling apparatus may comprise flowing fluid from the subterranean formation and into the primary flowline; diverting fluid from the primary flowline to a sample chamber through the secondary flowline; diverting fluid from the primary flowline to the wellbore through the dump flowline; and controlling the pressure in the sample chamber using the relief valve. The sampling apparatus may be used to terminate storage of a fluid sample in a sample chamber while continuing to pump fluid from the formation.

Abstract: A downhole compressible fluid sampling tool includes a primary fluid flow line deployed between a fluid inlet probe and a fluid outlet line. A fluid analysis module and a fluid pumping module are deployed in the primary fluid flow line. The fluid pumping module includes a pump in parallel with a bypass flow line having a bypass valve. A compressible fluid sampling vessel is deployed in parallel with and in fluid communication with the primary flow line. A method for obtaining a sample of a compressible downhole fluid includes turning off the pump and opening the bypass valve to enable the downhole fluid to flow into the fluid sampling vessel. The pump may then be optionally turned back on to pressurize the sample.

Abstract: A method for determining reservoir architecture using modeling of a non-equilibrium distribution of at least one analyte in reservoir fluids. The analyte(s) of the analysis preferably has (have) significant compositional variation in the reservoir. For example, the analyte can be a later charging single gas component (such as methane, carbon dioxide, or hydrogen sulfide) in a multi-component fluid system. In this case, the model can assume that the components of the early charge are in a stationary state or in equilibrium, whereas the later charge is in a state of non-equilibrium. The non-equilibrium distribution of the analyte(s) derived from the model is compared to the distribution of the analyte(s) derived from downhole or laboratory fluid analysis of reservoir fluid, and the architecture of the reservoir is determined based upon such comparison.

Abstract: Non-halogenated molecules having from 10 to 30 carbon atoms selected from the group consisting of aliphatic, aromatic, saturated, unsaturated (and combinations thereof) alcohols, ketones, organic acids, organic acid salts, sulfonated derivatives of these compounds, and combinations thereof are used as tracers to measure oil and/or water fluid returns, such as from a hydraulic fracturing job. The non-halogenated molecules may be absorbed onto and/or adsorbed onto substrates and introduced into a subterranean location, desorbed and recovered from the subterranean location with a fluid, reacted with a reagent (e.g. pentafluoro benzyl chloride, and the like) to give a derivatized tracer. The presence of the derivatized tracer is then detected in at least a portion of the recovered fluid. A different non-halogenated tracer may be used for each hydraulic fracturing stage, thus, it can be determined from which fracturing stage water is produced and from which fracturing stage oil is produced, for example.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic drive, comprising a pneumatic drive unit (1), which has a piston (3) that can be moved between a first position and a second position. The piston is accelerated and braked by means of compressed air, which is fed to or led away from the pneumatic drive unit by means of valve arrangements (8, 9) having distribution valves (16, 17, 21, 22). In at least one distribution valve (17, 22), a damping throttle (20, 25) is provided, which has a differential pressure piston (28), which can be moved as a function of the compression pressure, whereby the free throttle cross-section (49) through which the compressed air flows can be changed as a function of the compression pressure.

Abstract: A disclosed cryogenic refrigerator includes a cylinder, a displacer reciprocally moving inside the cylinder, and an elastic unit which is provided in at least one of a pair of end regions respectively including a pair of end portions within a range of a reciprocal motion of the displacer, accumulates an elastic force when the displacer approaches the end portion, and releases the elastic force when the displacer departs from the end portion.

Abstract: A planetary rotary type rotation device comprises a stator, a rotor, and a center sun wheel drum (10). The stator includes a hollow cylinder block (1) having a cylinder. The rotor includes a main shaft (3), planetary piston wheel fixation flanges (9), and a planetary piston wheel (8). The two planetary piston wheel fixation flanges (9) are symmetrically fixed to the main shaft (3). The center sun wheel drum (10) is disposed between the two planetary piston wheel fixation flanges (9) and fitted over the main shaft (3). An annular piston space (19) is formed between an outer circular surface of the center sun wheel drum (10) and a cylinder wall of the cylinder of the cylinder block (1). The planetary piston wheel (8) is a cylindrical roller. The cylindrical roller is disposed in the annular piston space (19) in a rolling manner. Both ends of the cylindrical roller are fixed to the planetary piston wheel fixation flanges (9).

Abstract: A scroll compressor is provided that may include a fixed scroll having a fixed wrap and a plurality of first key recesses, an orbiting scroll engaged with the fixed scroll to define compression chambers and having an orbiting wrap and a plurality of second key recesses, a drive having a rotation shaft coupled to the orbiting scroll such that one end portion thereof overlaps the orbiting wrap in a lateral direction, and an Oldham ring having a plurality of first and second keys coupled to the plurality of first and second key recesses, respectively. The plurality of second keys may at least temporarily protrude from the plurality of second key recesses in a radial direction during the orbiting motion. Further, the plurality of second key recesses and the plurality of second keys may be disposed to obtain maximum contact areas therebetween at a moment of start of discharging.

Abstract: A rotary-piston internal-combustion engine comprises a rotating block with three radially situated cylinders with pistons and an outside placed stationary case with two intake ports and two exhaust ports. Between the rotating block and the stationary case there are sealing parts and connecting rods, connected to one crank pin of a crankshaft. Between the crankshaft and the rotating block there is gearing for three times higher revolutions of the crankshaft in the opposite direction with respect to the rotating block. In the stationary case there are at least two spark plugs placed on the opposite sides. The bore of cylinders is 2 to 3.5 times higher than the stroke of pistons and all sealing parts with pressure springs that seal spaces of cylinders to the outer stationary case are placed in cavities in the stationary case.

Abstract: The present application provides a self locking nut and bolt assembly for a stack of rotating wheels. The self locking nut and bolt assembly may include a tie bolt extending through the stack of rotating wheels, a locking nut positioned on a first end of the tie bolt, and a locking washer positioned on the one end of the tie bolt within the locking nut.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a leading edge profile section of an aircraft lifting surface is provided. The method comprises the following steps: a) providing a set of laminated preforms of a composite material configured with a suitable shape for constituting the leading edge profile section; b) arranging said laminated preforms in a curing tooling and subjecting the assembly to an autoclave cycle to co-cure said laminated preforms; c) demolding the curing tooling in a spanwise direction towards the aircraft symmetry plane. The invention also comprises a leading edge profile section manufactured by said method comprising in addition to the skin of the leading edge profile section, one or more of the following structural elements: an auxiliary spar, a longitudinal stiffener reinforcing an auxiliary spar, a longitudinal stringer reinforcing the skin of the leading edge profile.

Abstract: An Archimedean screw apparatus for use either in power generation or for the pumping or conveying of fluid material includes a screw body formed by a shaft and at least one helical flight that is located in a close-fitting channel structure. The screw body is rotatably mounted such that the flight is in frictional contact with in inner surface of the channel. The weight of the screw body is borne at least partially by the channel structure and is dissipated fully or partially along the length of channel structure. Hence, preferably the Screw both is either provided with only a single bearing located at one end of the shaft, the other end being left floating within the channel structure, or the screw body is not provided with any bearings and the shaft is connected directly to a drive mechanism or to part of a power generating apparatus.

Abstract: An airfoil according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure can include an airfoil body having a plurality of film cooling holes that extend through an exterior surface of the airfoil body. Each of the plurality of film cooling holes break through the exterior surface at geometric coordinates in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z as set forth in Table 1. Each of the geometric coordinates is measured from a reference point on a leading edge rail of a platform of the airfoil.

Abstract: A method of designing a turbine blade includes the steps of forming at least two notches on a tip of a turbine blade, each of the at least two notches having a known dimension. The turbine blade has a pressure side and a suction side. The method further includes the step of operating a gas turbine engine including the turbine blade to expand a length of the turbine blade such that the tip of the turbine engages a casing. The method further includes the steps of viewing the tip of the turbine blade after the step of operating of the gas turbine engine, determining an appearance of the notches on the tip and determining a manufacturing length of the turbine blade based on the step of determining the appearance the notches.

Abstract: A shroud segment to be arranged on a gas turbine blade is disclosed. The shroud segment includes a shroud segment surface and a stiffening structure that is raised relative to the shroud segment surface. The stiffening structure is cross-shaped at least in some areas.

Abstract: A turbine rotor blade is provided. The turbine rotor blade includes an airfoil, an airfoil tip, a tip shroud, and a fillet about an intersection of the airfoil tip and the tip shroud. The fillet defines a fillet profile variable about the intersection as a function of aerodynamic airflow about the intersection.