A core structure for a providing a cooling passage in a gas turbine engine includes a core body that has a first passage core. The first passage core has a first width in a chord-wise direction near a first wall. A second width in the chord-wise direction near a second wall. A third width in the chord-wise direction between the first and second walls. The third width being smaller than the first and second widths to form an hourglass shape.

A core structure for a providing a cooling passage in a gas turbine engine includes a core body that has a first passage core. The first passage core has a first width in a chord-wise direction near a first wall. A second width in the chord-wise direction near a second wall. A third width in the chord-wise direction between the first and second walls. The third width being smaller than the first and second widths to form an hourglass shape.

A core structure for a providing a cooling passage in a gas turbine engine includes a core body that has a first cooling passage core. The first cooling passage core has a first width in a chord-wise direction near a first wall. A second width in the chord-wise direction near a second wall. A third width in the chord-wise direction between the first and second walls. The third width being smaller than the first and second widths to form an hourglass shape.

A core structure for a providing a cooling passage in a gas turbine engine includes a core body that has a first cooling passage core. The first cooling passage core has a first width in a chord-wise direction near a first wall. A second width in the chord-wise direction near a second wall. A third width in the chord-wise direction between the first and second walls. The third width being smaller than the first and second widths to form an hourglass shape.

A molding tool (10) for manufacturing cooling features in a ceramic core for a casting process includes a first mold portion (12) comprising a crossover hole forming feature (18); a second mold portion (24) comprising an impingement jet receiving forming feature (30) for forming an impingement jet receiving feature having a desired aiming point (32); and a sacrificial alignment member (34) for extending at least partially into the crossover hole forming feature (18) at least partially into the aiming point (32) of the impingement jet receiving forming feature (30) for substantially aligning a central axis (38) of the crossover hole forming feature (18) with the aiming point (32) to maintain a crossover hole and aiming point alignment during casting to ensure that the jet is directed at the aiming point (32) in a resultant cast part.

A molding tool (10) for manufacturing cooling features in a ceramic core for a casting process includes a first mold portion (12) comprising a crossover hole forming feature (18); a second mold portion (24) comprising an impingement jet receiving forming feature (30) for forming an impingement jet receiving feature having a desired aiming point (32); and a sacrificial alignment member (34) for extending at least partially into the crossover hole forming feature (18) at least partially into the aiming point (32) of the impingement jet receiving forming feature (30) for substantially aligning a central axis (38) of the crossover hole forming feature (18) with the aiming point (32) to maintain a crossover hole and aiming point alignment during casting to ensure that the jet is directed at the aiming point (32) in a resultant cast part.

Partial integrated core-shell investment casting molds that can be assembled into complete molds are provided herein. Each section of the partial mold may contain both a portion of a core and portion of a shell. Each section can then be assembled into a mold for casting of a metal part. The partial integrated core-shell investment casting molds and the complete molds may be provided with filament structures corresponding to cooling hole patterns on the surface of the turbine blade or the stator vane, which provides a leaching pathway for the core portion after metal casting. Core filaments that can be used to supplement the leaching pathway, for example in a core tip portion of the mold are also provided herein.

Partial integrated core-shell investment casting molds that can be assembled into complete molds are provided herein. Each section of the partial mold may contain both a portion of a core and portion of a shell. Each section can then be assembled into a mold for casting of a metal part. The partial integrated core-shell investment casting molds and the complete molds may be provided with filament structures corresponding to cooling hole patterns on the surface of the turbine blade or the stator vane, which provides a leaching pathway for the core portion after metal casting. Core filaments that can be used to supplement the leaching pathway, for example in a core tip portion of the mold are also provided herein.

A core manufacturing apparatus using an inorganic binder includes a mulling sand feeder that supplies mulling sand comprising sand and the inorganic binder, a mold that receives the mulling sand from the mulling sand feeder and molds the mulling sand into a core, and a mold heating device that heats the mold. The mold includes an upper mold and a lower mold and has a plurality of cavities formed therein in which the mulling sand is deposited. The mold further includes an inner fluid channel through which fluid flows.

A core manufacturing apparatus using an inorganic binder includes a mulling sand feeder that supplies mulling sand comprising sand and the inorganic binder, a mold that receives the mulling sand from the mulling sand feeder and molds the mulling sand into a core, and a mold heating device that heats the mold. The mold includes an upper mold and a lower mold and has a plurality of cavities formed therein in which the mulling sand is deposited. The mold further includes an inner fluid channel through which fluid flows.