Turbo-machine component and method

Abstract

A component, a component manufacturing process, and a component operation process are disclosed. The component has a diffuser permitting compressible fluid to flow throughout a first region and a second region of the diffuser at a decreasing velocity. The diffuser includes a coating collection feature. The component manufacturing process includes positioning the component and applying the coating to at least a surface of the component outside of the diffuser and to at least a portion of the second region, not to the first region, to the coating collection feature, or a combination thereof. The component operation process includes positioning the component and transporting the compressible fluid through the diffuser.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A component having a diffuser, the diffuser comprising:
 a first region having a first section with a first cross-sectional area;   a second region having a second section with a second cross-sectional area that is greater than the first cross-sectional area;   a coating collection feature at least partially positioned within the second region; and   a flow-path arranged and disposed to permit compressible fluid to flow throughout the first region and the second region of the diffuser at a decreasing velocity.   
     
     
         2 . The component of  claim 1 , further comprising a coating at least partially within the second region. 
     
     
         3 . The component of  claim 2 , wherein the coating is a thermal-barrier coating. 
     
     
         4 . The component of  claim 2 , wherein the coating abuts the flow-path. 
     
     
         5 . The component of  claim 2 , wherein an uncoated portion of the second region abuts the flow-path. 
     
     
         6 . The component of  claim 2 , wherein the coating is at least partially positioned on a surface of the component outside the diffuser. 
     
     
         7 . The component of  claim 6 , wherein the portion of the coating on the surface includes a thickness of at least 5 mils. 
     
     
         8 . The component of  claim 6 , wherein the portion of the coating on the surface includes a thickness of at least 20 mils. 
     
     
         9 . The component of  claim 6 , wherein the portion of the coating on the surface includes a thickness of at least 30 mils. 
     
     
         10 . The component of  claim 1 , further comprising a third region having a third section with a third cross-sectional area that is greater than the first cross-sectional area and less than the second cross-sectional area, the third section abutting the flow-path. 
     
     
         11 . The component of  claim 1 , further comprising a coating in contact with the coating collection feature. 
     
     
         12 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the component is a turbine component. 
     
     
         13 . The component of  claim 12 , wherein the component is a blade and the diffuser is arranged and disposed for air flow. 
     
     
         14 . The component of  claim 13 , wherein the diffuser is positioned on or proximal to a trailing edge of the blade. 
     
     
         15 . The component of  claim 13 , wherein the diffuser is positioned on or proximal to a pressure side of the blade. 
     
     
         16 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the flow-path in the diffuser is arranged and disposed to permit the compressible fluid to decrease velocity at a substantially constant rate. 
     
     
         17 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the flow-path in the diffuser is arranged and disposed to permit the compressible fluid to decrease velocity at an increasing rate. 
     
     
         18 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the flow-path is arranged and disposed to permit the compressible fluid to flow throughout the diffuser at the decreasing velocity. 
     
     
         19 . A component manufacturing process, comprising:
 positioning the component, the component having a diffuser, the diffuser comprising:
 a first region having a first section with a first cross-sectional area; 
 a second region having a second section with a second cross-sectional area that is greater than the first cross-sectional area; 
 a coating collection feature at least partially positioned within the second region; and 
 a flow-path arranged and disposed to permit compressible fluid to flow throughout the first region and the second region of the diffuser at a decreasing velocity. 
   applying a coating to at least a surface of the component outside of the diffuser and to at least a portion of the second region, not to the first region, to the coating collection feature, or a combination thereof.   
     
     
         20 . A component operation process, the process comprising:
 positioning the component having a diffuser, the diffuser comprising:
 a first region having a first section with a first cross-sectional area; 
 a second region having a second section with a second cross-sectional area that is greater than the first cross-sectional area; 
 a coating collection feature at least partially positioned within the second region; and 
 a flow-path arranged and disposed to permit a compressible fluid to flow throughout the first region and the second region of the diffuser at a decreasing velocity; and 
   transporting the compressible fluid through the diffuser.