Closure element with extensions for internal passage of component
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsYan Cui, Michael Douglas Arnett, Matthew Joseph Laylock, Brian Lee Tollison
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A closure element for an internal passage in a component, and a related method and turbine blade or nozzle are disclosed. The closure element includes a spherical body made of a first superalloy, and a plurality of extensions extending from a surface of the spherical body. The plurality of extensions made of the same, similar or different material other than the first superalloy. Subjecting the component to at least one thermal cycle causes a braze material to form a metallurgical bond with the spherical body, the plurality of extensions and the passage wall to seal the internal passage.
Claims20
A closure element for an internal passage in a component, the closure element comprising:
- a spherical body, the spherical body made of a first superalloy;
- and
- a plurality of extensions extending from a surface of the spherical body, the plurality of extensions made of a material other than the first superalloy.
A method, comprising:
- inserting a closure element into an internal passage of a component, the closure element including a spherical body and a plurality of extensions extending from a surface of the spherical body, wherein at least one of the plurality of extensions engages with a passage wall of the internal passage to position the spherical body at a closure site;
- applying a braze material at the closure site;
- and
- subjecting the component to at least one thermal cycle such that the braze material forms a metallurgical bond with the spherical body, the plurality of extensions and the passage wall to seal the internal passage.
A turbine blade or nozzle, comprising:
- a body;
- an internal passage in the body, the internal passage including a passage wall;
- a closure element at a closure site in the internal passage, the closure element including a brazed spherical body, and a plurality of brazed extensions in a surface of the brazed spherical body, the brazed spherical body and the plurality of brazed extensions forming a metallurgical bond with the passage wall to seal the internal passage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.