A method for creating a three-dimensional (3D) mark in a protective coating including at least one of a TBC and a bond coating over a metal part, is provided. The method may include positioning a mask over the protective coating, the mask including an opening pattern therein; and performing an abrasive waterjet process on the protective coating using the mask. The abrasive waterjet erodes a first portion of the protective coating exposed through the first opening pattern to create the 3D mark. The mask is removed, leaving the 3D mark in the protective coating. The 3D mark only partially penetrates through the protective coating. A metal part may include a metal body, a protective coating over the metal body, and the 3D mark in the protective coating, is also provided. The 3D mark in the protective coating may include an opening having a width of between 30 and 300 micrometers.

In one aspect, an article comprises a substrate that comprises a ceramic matrix composite; and a metal oxide layer disposed on the substrate; where the metal oxide layer has a marking etched into the metal oxide via laser ablation. The markings include alphabets, numbers, symbols, bar codes, matrix bar codes, quick response codes, or a combination thereof. Disclosed herein too is a method comprising disposing upon a ceramic matrix composite a metal oxide layer; and laser ablating the metal oxide layer to etch the metal oxide layer. The etchings produce markings that comprise alphabets, numbers, symbols, bar codes, matrix bar codes, quick response codes, or a combination thereof.

A method of maintaining at least one gas turbine engine includes monitoring a compressor of the gas turbine engine. The compressor includes a compressor case at least partially defining a flow path, a plurality of stages and a vane actuator system configured to move at least one of the stages. The vane actuator system includes a vane mover having one or more slots formed therein and configured to actuate the at least one stage. The vane mover may be replaced after the gas turbine engine has experienced engine degradation.

Methods and systems for validating component integrity in an engine are described. First usage data associated with a period of operation of the engine is obtained at an engine controller. An indication of the first usage data is transmitted from the engine controller to a first presentation device. Second usage data associated with the period of operation of the engine is received at the engine controller from an input device. The first usage data is compared to the second usage data at the engine controller. Based on the comparing, an alert is issued to a second presentation device independent from the first presentation device.

Method for monitoring a turbomachine comprising a stator and a rotor, device, system, aircraft and computer program product. The method comprises a step of acquiring an input signal which represents a deformation of the stator or rotor of the turbomachine. The input signal has been acquired by a deformation gauge which is attached to the stator or rotor. The input signal comprises a first component which represents deformations of the stator or rotor which are caused by rotation of the rotor vanes in relation to the stator, and a second component which represents deformations which are caused by different elements of the rotor vanes. The method comprises a step of re-sampling the input signal in order to obtain a re-sampled input signal comprising a predefined whole number of samples per revolution of the turbomachine rotor. The method also comprises a step of processing the re-sampled input signal, comprising: filtering the re-sampled input signal, making it possible to acquire a filtered input signal in which the second component is attenuated, and separating the filtered input signal into a plurality of third components, each third component representing a contribution to the deformation caused by a respective associated vane. The method also comprises a step of detecting, in a third component, contact between the vane associated with the third component and the stator.

A tool for performing inspection and/or maintenance operations on an engine defines a longitudinal direction and a tangential direction. The tool includes a base extending along the longitudinal direction and including a body, a first extension member extending from the body in the tangential direction at a first location, and a second extension member extending from the body in the tangential direction at a second location. The second location is spaced from the first location along the longitudinal direction. The tool also includes a pivot member rotatably coupled to the base and moveable between an insertion position in which the pivot member is oriented generally along the longitudinal direction and a deployed position in which the pivot member is oriented away from the longitudinal direction.

A method is provided for an engine. During this method, a database is provided for a parameter of the engine. The database includes a plurality of values for the parameter determined over a period of time. Confidence bands are established using a probability density function on the database. An action is performed in response to a comparison of a first updated value for the parameter to the confidence bands. The engine may be configured as a gas turbine engine or another type of heat engine.

This fin tip position measurement method comprises: a jig installation step for installing a jig having a flat measurement surface expanded in a circumferential direction and an axial direction to a tip of at least one among a plurality of seal fins that protrude in a radial direction with respect to an axial line, extend in the circumferential direction, and are arranged in a direction in which the axial line extends; a first measurement step for measuring a distance from the axial line to the measurement surface by scanning the measurement surface with a laser beam; and a first calculation step for calculating a distance from the axial line to the tip of the seal fin by adding a radial dimension of the jig to the distance to the measurement surface.

A method for inspecting an object includes receiving or determining inspection image data, the inspection image data including an inspection image pixel array with at least one inspection image pixel in the inspection image pixel array having a pixel property associated therewith. The method includes receiving via a processor a user input associated with a continuous segment of inspection image pixels in the inspection image pixel array. The method includes determining a property of the object based on the pixel properties associated with the continuous segment of inspection image pixels in the inspection image pixel array.

An assembly is provided for an engine. This engine assembly includes a fuel system, a sensor and a processing system. The fuel system includes a fuel source, an engine component and a fuel circuit configured to direct fuel from the fuel source to the engine component. The sensor is configured to provide sensor data indicative of a measured parameter of the fuel directed through the fuel circuit from the fuel source to the engine component. The processing system is configured to identify a fuel leak in the fuel system based on the sensor data. The fuel leak is identified when a measured value corresponding to the measured parameter of the fuel is less than an expected value corresponding to an expected parameter for the fuel directed through the fuel circuit from the fuel source to the engine component.