General Electric Company

William T Houchens

Gilbert Farmer

Mehmet Muhittin Dede

Gary L Leonard

Douglas Marti Fortuna

Phillip D Napoli

Kazim Ozbaysal

Paul Edward Sabla

William Ross Miller

Jack Willard Smith, Jr

Douglas George Shafer

Jesse Moses

James A Goreschen

Article (e.g., turbine engine fan or compressor blade) comprising a titanium alloy has a first portion with alpha+beta microstructure and a second portion with martensitic or a bimodal microstructure. The modified microstructure of the second portion is provided by selectively heating, and immediately quenching, the second portion without substantially heating the first portion. An exemplary method includes providing a near net-shaped article having a first portion (e.g., an airfoil region) and a second portion (e.g., an unfinished dovetail region). Initially, the article comprises an alpha+beta microstructure throughout. Thereafter, the second portion is selectively heated, followed by immediate quenching, without substantially heating the first portion, to modify the microstructure of the second portion to a martensitic or bimodal microstructure without substantially modifying the microstructure of the first portion. Thereafter, the second portion may be processed to a final body dimension.

Triple phase titanium fan and compressor blade and methods therefor

A fuel-air mixer for a gas turbine engine combustor having a primary swirler and a venturi that effectively reduces carboning via purge air. Purge air flows axially through the fuel-air mixer forming a boundary layer of air on the inner surface of the venturi. The boundary layer of air minimizes the amount of fuel contacting the inner surface of the venturi resulting in reduced carbon resin or coke formation.

Anti-carboning fuel-air mixer for a gas turbine engine combustor

A one-piece cowl for use in assembled relationship with a combustor of a gas turbine engine, the cowl being of a generally annular configuration defining a central cowl axis and being axially elongated and aerodynamically contoured relative to the central cowl axis. The one-piece cowl includes an inner annular portion, an outer annular portion, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial ligaments connecting the inner and outer annular portions so as to form a corresponding number of openings through a middle portion of the cowl. Each radial ligament has a designated area which enables the radial ligaments to sustain the stress levels imposed on the cowl to prevent high cycle fatigue. Each opening also has a designated area which enables insertion of fuel nozzles therein without adversely affecting air flow therethrough. The designated area for the radial ligaments is a function of the designated area for the openings and a ratio of such areas falls within a specified range.

One-piece sheet metal cowl for combustor of a gas turbine engine and

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Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

William T Houchens