Abstract: An airfoil assembly (30) comprises a composite airfoil (40) having a leading edge (32) and a trailing edge (34), a pressure side (36) extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge, a suction side (38) extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge, opposite the leading edge, a metallic leading edge assembly (130) disposed over the composite air-foil, the metallic leading edge assembly including a high density base (50), the metallic leading edge assembly also including a nose (60) disposed over the base, an adhesive bond layer disposed between the composite airfoil and the metallic leading edge assembly.

Abstract: A method of operating a gas turbine engine is provided. The method includes channeling cooling air towards a shroud hanger assembly such that the cooling air flows through a cavity defined in the shroud hanger assembly, directing the cooling air through a plurality of cooling passages extending from the cavity, and discharging the air from the plurality of cooling passages towards an impingement baffle to facilitate cooling a shroud hanging from the shroud hanger.

Abstract: A method of operating a gas turbine engine is provided. The method includes channeling cooling air towards a shroud hanger assembly such that the cooling air flows through a cavity defined in the shroud hanger assembly, directing the cooling air through a plurality of cooling passages extending from the cavity, and discharging the air from the plurality of cooling passages towards an impingement baffle to facilitate cooling a shroud hanging from the shroud hanger.

Abstract: A method facilitates assembling a turbine nozzle for a gas turbine engine. The method includes providing a turbine nozzle including a plurality of airfoil vanes that extend between an inner band and an outer band, and forming a compound radii fillet that extends between a first of the airfoil vanes and the outer band, such that at least a second of the airfoil vanes is coupled to the outer band only by a single radii fillet.

Abstract: A method facilitates assembling a turbine nozzle for a gas turbine engine. The method includes providing a turbine nozzle including a plurality of airfoil vanes that extend between an inner band and an outer band, and forming a compound radii fillet that extends between a first of the airfoil vanes and the outer band, such that at least a second of the airfoil vanes is coupled to the outer band only by a single radii fillet.

Abstract: A method enables a nozzle assembly for a gas turbine engine rotor assembly to be fabricated. The rotor assembly includes at least two adjacent rows of rotor blades coupled together by a disk spacer arm. The method includes providing a nozzle assembly that includes at least one nozzle including a vane that extends outwardly from a radially outer side of an inner band, coupling the nozzle assembly into the rotor assembly between the two adjacent rows of rotor blades, and coupling a seal assembly that includes a backing piece to the nozzle assembly such that the backing piece is substantially parallel to the rotor assembly disk spacer arm.

Abstract: A method enables a nozzle assembly for a gas turbine engine rotor assembly to be fabricated. The rotor assembly includes at least two adjacent rows of rotor blades coupled together by a disk spacer arm. The method includes providing a nozzle assembly that includes at least one nozzle including a vane that extends outwardly from a radially outer side of an inner band, coupling the nozzle assembly into the rotor assembly between the two adjacent rows of rotor blades, and coupling a seal assembly that includes a backing piece to the nozzle assembly such that the backing piece is substantially parallel to the rotor assembly disk spacer arm.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention is a gas turbine engine rotor assembly having axially spaced apart forward and aft disks circumferentially disposed about an axis. The forward disk has an aftwardly extending annular forward arm and the aft disk has a forwardly extending annular aft arm. Forward and aft flanges are located at forward and aft ends of the forward and aft arms respectively. Forward and aft pluralities of aligned forward and aft bolt holes extending axially through the forward and aft flanges respectively. A scalloped annular ring having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart tabs with spaces therebetween is disposed between the flanges. A plurality of ring bolt holes extend axially through the plurality of circumferentially spaced apart tabs such that corresponding ones of the ring, forward, and aft bolt holes are axially aligned.

Abstract: A turbine disk cooling system for a gas turbine engine of a type having a compressor section including first and second disks connected by a seal and defining a compressor interstage volume, a turbine section including first and second stage disks connected by a seal and defining a turbine inner stage volume, and a compressor shaft interconnecting the compressor disks with the turbine disks including orifices located in the compressor seal for allowing air in the compressor section to enter the compressor interstage volume, and a radial inflow impeller for guiding the compressor air towards the compressor shaft. The impeller including a plurality of radially-extending conduits suspended in the compressor interstage volume, the conduits having a plurality of interior, radially-extending passages for conveying the compressor air from the orifice to the compressor shaft.

Abstract: A turbine nozzle includes a vane integrally joined between outer and inner bands, with the inner band having a purge hole for discharging a portion of cooling air channeled through the vane. A checkvalve is provided in the purge hole for preventing backflow therethrough into the vane. In an exemplary embodiment, the checkvalve allows a reduction in cooling air through the vane at low power operation for increasing efficiency while preventing backflow of combustion gases into the purge hole.

Abstract: An axial retention system for an interstage seal located in a gas turbine engine of a type having a turbine section including a first stage disk and a second stage disk. The interstage seal includes a web portion having an aft arm extending from said web, the aft arm having a peripheral rim adjacent the second stage disk. The axial retention system comprising a split ring having two overlapping ends and a plurality of radially outwardly extending tabs for engaging a plurality of inwardly extending tabs located on the second stage disk adjacent the peripheral rim, in a bayonet connection. The retaining ring is located within a slot formed in the peripheral rim and the outwardly extending tabs are positioned in a passageway formed by the disk tabs.

Abstract: A stator seal assembly for a gas turbine engine of a type having a high pressure compressor section and a high pressure turbine section, the stator seal having a seal segment extending between a stator vane support structure and disk seal teeth, the stator seal segment having an arm for forming a cavity, a retaining segment attached to the seal segment and the arm for sealing the cavity to form a dead air space, a control ring located in the cavity having a coefficient of thermal expansion lower than a coefficient of thermal expansion for the seal segment, and a honeycomb pad located between the arm and the seal teeth, whereby thermal expansion clearance between the stator vane and the rotor disk is minimized.

Abstract: A seal support assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a stator seal support having an annular seal backing extending axially away therefrom and having an integral retention flange at one end thereof. The retention flange includes a retention groove. An annular seal block is supported radially inwardly of the seal backing for cooperating with rotor seal teeth to define a fluid seal. A control ring is disposed radially outwardly of the seal backing and is supported thereby, with the control ring having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart retention tabs cooperating with the retention flange for axially retaining the control ring on the seal backing. An annular heat shield is fixedly joined at one end to the seal support, and includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart retention tabs cooperating with the retention flange for axially retaining the heat shield to the seal backing while permitting unrestrained differential radial movement therebetween.

Abstract: An anti-rotation system for an interstage seal located in a gas turbine engine of a type having a turbine section including a first stage disk having a rearwardly extending aft shaft and a second stage disk. The interstage seal includes a rearwardly projecting conical arm mounted on the first stage disk. The interstage seal anti-rotation system includes a key inserted within an opening formed between the aft shaft and the conical arm for preventing circumferential movement between the aft shaft and the conical arm by providing a double shear plane between the aft shaft and the conical arm. A circumferential wire is inserted within a slot formed in the conical arm and a groove on the key for preventing axial movement of the key.

Abstract: An anti-rotation system for an interstage seal located in a gas turbine engine of a type having a turbine section including a first stage disk and a second stage disk, each having a plurality of dovetail slots. The interstage seal is located between the disks and includes a web portion having a forward arm and an aft arm, the aft arm having a bayonet connection for preventing relative axial movement between the second stage disk and the seal The interstage seal anti-rotation system includes a key positioned in at least one dovetail slot and having a tab for interconnecting with a slot formed in the aft arm bayonet connection. The key prevents relative circumferential movement between the interstage seal and the second stage disk An aft seal plate is provided for retaining the key in the interconnected position between the seal and the second stage disk.

Abstract: A split ring seal having an outer split ring and an inner split ring with the inner and outer split rings having overlapping portions. The split ring seal is located between a seating seal and a carrier and separates a high pressure cavity from a low pressure cavity. Movement of the split ring seal is restricted by sidewalls of the carrier. A diagonal edge on the outer ring reacts against centrifugal loading from the inner ring so that said outer ring is urged axially against a sidewall of the carrier to form a positive seal for blocking any leakage path between the high and low pressure cavities.

Abstract: A disk attachment system for a high pressure turbine section of a gas turbine engine, the high pressure turbine section including a first stage disk and a second stage disk. The first stage disk includes a first conical aft shaft extending rearwardly from a bore of the first state disk and the second stage disk has a second conical aft shaft extending rearwardly from a bore of the second stage disk, and the second aft shaft is attached to the first aft shaft at a splined connection. The second aft shaft includes an arm having a mate face and pilot for centering the second stage disk relative to the first stage disk. Rotational energy from the second stage disk is transmitted through the first aft shaft to the first stage disk.

Abstract: A forward seal assembly located in a turbine section of a turbine engine, the turbine section having a disk including a web, a bore, and a forward shaft integral with the web, wherein the forward seal assembly includes a face plate extending from the forward shaft to an outer periphery of the disk and includes orifices for conveying cooling air to the web. The face plate includes a plurality of radially inwardly-extending tabs shaped to engage radially outwardly-extending tabs located on the web to form a bayonet connection. The forward seal assembly further includes radially extending vanes to convey cooling air along the disk, and is secured by inward and outward bayonet connections, the inward connection including locking pins which are arranged to perform a balanced function.

Abstract: A high pressure turbine in a gas turbine engine contains an arrangement of channels, holes and windows through components controlling the operating clearance between tips of turbine blades and casing shroud segments wherein the arrangement defines a serial supply path for a single cooling airflow through the clearance control components. The arrangement also includes a plurality of holes defined through a cover located between shroud holders and segments.

Abstract: In a gas turbine engine having an annular casing with a stationary support structure, a high pressure turbine, and an annular high pressure turbine nozzle having at least one stage which includes a plurality of circumferentially aligned nozzle segments and which is disposed in the annular casing between a combustor and the high pressure turbine, a nozzle support arrangement is provided for mounting each nozzle segment to the stationary support structure. The arrangement includes a single mounting pin mounted on and extending from an annular nozzle support flange on the casing support structure and a hole defined in an oval shape in the one end portion of an inner band flange for receiving the mounting pin in an interference fitting relation.