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The approach that was utilized to start up and requalify manufacture of the thermoelectric unicouple devices for the Cassini RTG (Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator) program are described in this paper. Key elements involved in this effort were: engineering review of specifications; training of operators; manufacturing product verification runs; and management review of results. Appropriately, issues involved in activating a fabrication process that has been idle for nearly a decade, such as upgrading equipment, adhering to updated environmental, health, and safety requirements, or approving new vendors, are also addressed. The cumulative results of the startup activities have verified that a production line for this type of device can be reopened successfully.

The work reported in this paper has been conducted by a team from GE-Aircraft Engines, GE-CR&D, and Sundstrand under a contract sponsored by the USAF, Wright Laboratories, WPAFB, Contract No. F33615-90-C-2052. The objective of this contract is to prove the feasibility of an Integral Starter/Generator (IS/G) through the preliminary design stage and demonstrate the starter/ generator technology in the externally mounted version utilizing switched reluctance machine technology. This paper will report on the progress for the EIS/G-system through the initial testing stage. Comparison of the finished hardware with the design results presented earlier will lead of the paper. This is followed by the discussion of the early testing results for the system testing. Recommendation on additional testing will be presented at the end of the paper.

Previous studies had demonstrated the economic and technical feasibility of producing high-quality forgings for aircraft turbine engine parts from hot-isostatically pressed (HIP) Rene 95 powder billets. The present program was aimed at developing a production practice for making HIP + forged turbine discs. The major goal was improved product fabricability and reliability with minimum cost. The program was conducted using argon atomized Rene 95 powder. Experimental studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of powder characteristics, HIP parameters, preform design, and forging conditions on forgeability, microstructure, and mechanical properties. The results of these studies were incorporated into a pilot production run in which 10 disc forgings were made and evaluated. The selected process involved the consolidation of -60 mesh powder to full density by hot-isostatic pressing at a temperature above the γ' solvus temperature.