1. A method to facilitate extending the useful life of a turbine engine including a combustor and a turbine downstream from and in flow communication with the combustor, said method comprising:
identifying at least a portion of the combustor that is at least one of distressed, worn, deteriorated, based on pre-determined threshold data, and beyond serviceable limits;
identifying at least one enhancement kit for installation within the combustor;
removing at least two portions of the combustor including at least two of a combustor dome assembly, a swirlercowl assembly, and the combustor inner and outer liners; and
installing the enhancement kit within the turbine engine such that a useful life of the turbine engine is facilitated to be increased.
2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein installing the enhancement kit within the turbine engine further comprises installing a retrofit dome assembly within the combustor that includes at least one premixer cup having an axial length that is shorter than an axial length of the dome assembly premixer cup removed from the combustor.
3. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein installing the enhancement kit within the turbine engine further comprises installing a retrofit dome assembly within the combustor that includes at least one premixer cup having substantially smooth and un-dimpled flow surfaces.
4. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein installing the enhancement kit within the turbine engine further comprises installing a retrofit dome assembly within the combustor that is coated with a thermal barrier coating.
5. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein installing the enhancement kit within the turbine engine further comprises installing a retrofit swirler assembly within the combustor that includes at least one swirler that has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of a swirler removed from the combustor.
6. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein installing the enhancement kit within the turbine engine further comprises installing a retrofit cowl assembly within the combustor that includes at least one nozzle eyelet that has a larger diameter than at least one nozzle eyelet removed from the combustor.
7. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein installing the enhancement kit within the turbine engine further comprises installing a retrofit inner liner and outer liner within the combustor that are fabricated from a material having intrinsic material properties that are enhanced in comparison to the material used in fabricating the inner and outer liners removed from the combustor.
8. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein installing the enhancement kit within the turbine engine further comprises at least one of modifying and retrofitting at least a portion of the turbine extending downstream from the combustor when the portions of the combustor are retrofitted.
9. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein installing the enhancement kit within the turbine engine further comprises:
removing at least one of a turbine nozzle, a turbine blade, a turbine shroud, and a thermal shield from the turbine engine; and
installing, within the turbine engine, at least one of a retrofit turbine nozzle, turbine blade, turbine shroud, and thermal shield fabricated from a material having intrinsic material properties that are enhanced in comparison to the material used in fabricating the turbine components removed from the engine.
10. A method to facilitate extending the useful life of a turbine engine, said method comprising:
determining threshold data for selected components within at least one of a combustor within the turbine engine and a turbine within the turbine engine and downstream from the combustor;
identifying selected components warranting service based on the pre-determined threshold data;
removing at least a portion of the combustor and a portion of the turbine extending downstream from the combustor from the turbine engine;
implementing an enhancement kit within the turbine engine such that a portion of the combustor and the turbine are at least one of modified and retrofit to facilitate extending a useful life of the turbine engine is facilitated to be increased.
11. A method in accordance with claim 10 wherein removing at least a portion of the combustor and a portion of the turbine further comprises removing at least at least two of a combustor dome assembly, a combustor swirlercowl assembly, and the combustor inner and outer liners from the turbine engine.
12. A method in accordance with claim 10 wherein implementing an enhancement kit within the turbine engine further comprises installing a retrofit dome assembly within the combustor that includes at least one premixer cup having an axial length that is shorter than an axial length of the dome assembly premixer cup removed from the combustor.
13. A method in accordance with claim 10 wherein implementing an enhancement kit within the turbine engine further comprises installing a retrofit dome assembly within the combustor that includes at least one premixer cup having substantially smooth flow surfaces.
14. A method in accordance with claim 10 wherein implementing an enhancement kit within the turbine engine further comprises installing a retrofit dome assembly within the combustor that is coated with a thermal barrier coating.
15. A method in accordance with claim 10 wherein implementing an enhancement kit within the turbine engine further comprises installing a retrofit swirler assembly within the combustor that includes at least one swirler that has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of a swirler removed from the combustor.
16. A method in accordance with claim 10 wherein implementing an enhancement kit within the turbine engine further comprises installing a retrofit cowl assembly within the combustor that includes at least one nozzle eyelet that has a larger diameter than at least one nozzle eyelet removed from the combustor.
17. A method in accordance with claim 10 wherein implementing an enhancement kit within the turbine engine further comprises installing a retrofit inner liner and outer liner within the combustor that are fabricated from a material having intrinsic material properties that are enhanced in comparison to the material used in fabricating the inner and outer liners removed from the combustor.
18. A method in accordance with claim 10 wherein implementing an enhancement kit within the turbine engine further comprises installing at least one of a retrofit turbine nozzle, turbine blade, turbine shroud, and thermal shield from the turbine engine.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1-15. (canceled)
16. A method for making an illuminated panel portion for vehicles or vehicular accessories, comprising:
forming an aperture in an adjacent panel having an outer surface,
disposing a generally translucent panel having an outer surface in the aperture of the adjacent panel, such that the outer surface of the adjacent panel and the outer surface of the translucent panel are substantially flush, the translucent panel defining a selected design, and
disposing a light source in relation to the panel for illuminating the panel.
17. The method for making an illuminated panel portion of claim 16 further comprising shaping the generally translucent panel to the contour of the adjacent panel.
18. The method for making an illuminated panel portion of claim 16 further comprising etching the selected design into the translucent panel.
19. The method for making an illuminated panel portion of claim 16 further comprising forming a generally opaque layer on the translucent panel for defining a generally opaque area and a generally translucent area such that the generally translucent area is illuminated by said light source.
20. The method for making an illuminated panel portion of claim 15 further comprising forming a beveled outer edge about the translucent panel and forming a complementary beveled edge on the adjacent panel about the aperture.
21. A method for making an illuminated panel portion for vehicles or vehicular accessories, comprising:
applying a generally opaque layer on a surface of a generally translucent panel, wherein the opaque layer forms an uneven interface with the generally translucent panel;
evening the uneven interface between the opaque layer and the surface of the generally translucent panel;
applying a clear coating on the surface of the generally translucent panel;
repeating the steps of evening the interface and applying a clear coating to achieve a smooth, even surface on the surface of the generally translucent panel; and
disposing a light source in relation to the generally translucent panel for illuminating the generally translucent panel.
22. The method for making an illuminated panel portion for vehicles or vehicular accessories of claim 28, wherein the opaque layer is applied using a sticker mask.
23. The method for making an illuminated panel portion for vehicles or vehicular accessories of claim 28, wherein the uneven interface between the opaque layer and the surface of the generally translucent panel is wetsanded in order to achieve evening.