Having Specific Vane Mounting Means Patents (Class 415/209.3)
  • Patent number: 11814991
    Abstract: A turbine nozzle assembly includes at least one airfoil and an outer endwall coupled to a radial outer end of the at least one airfoil. A mounting rail is coupled to the outer endwall and extends at least partially radially outward from the outer endwall and at least partially circumferentially along the outer endwall. A stress relief structure is defined in the mounting rail. The stress relief structure includes an end opening defined in a radial outer surface of the mounting rail, a slot defined through the rail thickness of the mounting rail and coupled to the end opening, and an oblong opening defined through the rail thickness of the mounting rail and coupled to a radial inner end of the slot. The oblong opening is arranged asymmetrically in a circumferential direction relative to the slot to relieve stress where prevalent in the mounting rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lauren Elizabeth Rogers, William Scott Zemitis, Kristen Barbara Coletti
  • Patent number: 11788435
    Abstract: A pin member is proposed for a turbo-machine having a shroud arranged to rotate within a turbine housing. The pin member is configured to limit this rotation. It is a one-piece element comprising a cylindrical body and a limit surface for opposing motion of the shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: CUMMINS LTD.
    Inventors: Simon David Moore, Karl Conlon, Matthew William Edwards
  • Patent number: 11668200
    Abstract: A vane arc segment includes an airfoil fairing that has first and second fairing platforms and a hollow airfoil section that extends there between. A spar has a spar platform adjacent the first fairing platform and a spar leg that extends from the spar platform and through the hollow airfoil section. The spar leg has an end portion that is distal from the platform and that protrudes from the second fairing platform. The end portion has a clevis mount. There is a support platform adjacent the second fairing platform. The support platform has a through-hole through which the end portion of the spar leg extends such that the clevis mount protrudes from the support platform. A pin extends though the clevis mount and locks the support platform to the spar leg such that the airfoil fairing is trapped between the spar platform and the support platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jon E. Sobanski, Howard J. Liles, Bryan P. Dube, Wojciech Lipka
  • Patent number: 11560811
    Abstract: A system for retaining stators and reducing air leakage in a gas turbine engine having an axis includes a stator having an inner platform, an outer platform, a low pressure side, a high pressure side, and at least one foot, and designed to turn air. The system also includes a case positioned radially outward from the stator and having at least one recess designed to interface with the at least one foot to resist movement of the stator relative to the case. The system also includes a bladder positioned between the outer platform of the stator and the case and designed to receive pressurized fluid having a greater pressure than ambient pressures experienced at the low pressure side of the stator and to further resist movement of the stator relative to the case in response to receiving the pressurized fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony R. Bifulco
  • Patent number: 11359514
    Abstract: A method for mounting and/or dismantling turbine components is provided. According to this method, a crane is fastened to a turbine casing half in the area of the joint, and at least one component such as for example a turbine blade is brought into its mounted position and/or is removed from its mounted position by means of the crane. For this purpose, the crane has a tower with a multiple section jib having a plurality of segments, thereby allowing the components to be positioned accurately for mounting/dismantling. The mobile crane is connected to the turbine casing half by means of an adapter. The adapter has a fastening pin which is held in place by means of an existing through-bore in the turbine casing half. For the purpose of mounting the mobile crane, the adapter has a baseplate. For rotational locking of the crane, a securing element is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Sezgin Cimen, Benjamin Runge, Thomas Meyer
  • Patent number: 11274566
    Abstract: A blade outer air seal for a gas turbine engine includes a platform having a leading edge and a trailing edge. A pair of circumferential edges connect the leading edge and the trailing edge. An end wall protrudes radially outward from the platform at the trailing edge. A first support rib connects one of the circumferential edges to the end wall and structurally supports the end wall. A first boss portion extends axially forward from the end wall and is disposed radially outward of the first support rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Christina G. Ciamarra, Anthony B. Swift
  • Patent number: 11156105
    Abstract: An airfoil vane assembly includes a vane piece defining a first vane platform, a second vane platform, and a hollow airfoil section joining the first vane platform and the second vane platform. The first vane platform defines a collar projection therefrom. A spar piece defines a spar platform and a spar extends from the spar platform into the hollow airfoil section. The spar piece includes a radial opening defined by first and second opposed faces. The radial opening is configured to receive the collar projection, and a groove in the spar platform opening to the first face. A seal is situated in the groove. The seal seals against the collar projection. A gas turbine engine and a method of assembling a vane are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert White, III
  • Patent number: 11073039
    Abstract: A turbine section of a gas turbine engine includes a vane assembly that redirects hot gases in the turbine section, a turbine shroud that extends around a turbine wheel to keep the hot gases from avoiding interaction with the turbine wheel, and a heat shield that provides parts of the vane assembly and the turbine shroud. The heat shield comprises ceramic matrix composite materials and is formed as a one piece component. The heat shield includes a vane portion that protects other vane assembly parts, a seal segment portion that protects other turbine shroud parts, and a forward turn-up and an aft turn-up. The forward turn-up and the aft turn-up couple the heat shield to other parts of the turbine section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Michael J. Abbott
  • Patent number: 10975708
    Abstract: A turbine assembly adapted for use in a gas turbine engine is disclosed in this paper. The turbine assembly includes a turbine vane comprising ceramic matrix composite materials configured for use in high temperature environments. The turbine assembly further includes a vane-stage support for holding the turbine vane and other components in place relative to a turbine case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Anthony G. Razzell, Roderick M. Townes, David J. Shepherd, Duncan Forbes
  • Patent number: 10975709
    Abstract: An airfoil assembly includes a vane that includes an outer platform, an inner platform, and an airfoil. The outer platform defines an outer boundary of a gas path. The inner platform is spaced apart axially from the outer platform relative to an axis and defines an inner boundary of the gas path. The airfoil extends axially between and interconnects the outer platform and the inner platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Inventors: Rachel Woodfield, Robert S. Bainbridge, Afzal Ali, Oliver D. A. O'Carroll, Michael J. Whittle
  • Patent number: 10954791
    Abstract: A blade removal device for removing a blade in a circumferential direction of a blade ring along a groove, the blade being engaged with the groove extending in the circumferential direction on an inner peripheral side of the blade ring, is provided with a towing part for towing the blade, a string member connecting the towing part and the blade, and a first turning part attached to the blade ring so as to be in contact with a portion of the string member between the towing part and the blade to change a direction of a towing force transmitted via the string member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI POWER, LTD.
    Inventors: Ryota Chaki, Tadakazu Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 10907506
    Abstract: A method of modifying a casing of a turbine engine for attaching stator blades within a row of stator blades to the casing, the method including the steps of: forming a circumferentially extending groove in an inboard face of the casing; providing a segmented ring insert that includes bore holes spaced in accordance with a bore hole pattern that corresponds to the row of stator blades; inserting the segmented ring insert into the groove; and securing the segmented ring insert to the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Reiff, Dorian Goericke
  • Patent number: 10859268
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to turbine vanes comprising ceramic matrix composite materials and vane ring assemblies including the same. The turbine vane may include mount extensions that extend outside a primary gas path to provide a point of coupling for attaching the turbine vane to a support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Inventor: Michael J. Whittle
  • Patent number: 10808706
    Abstract: A blowing device includes: an axial fan; and a fan shroud housing the axial fan. The fan shroud includes an air inlet part into which an air flow is introduced, the air inlet part having a shape corresponding to a peripheral shape of a heat exchanger, and an air outlet part from which the air flow introduced into the air inlet part flows out. The fan shroud further includes a passage formation part to define an air passage through which air introduced from the air inlet part flows to the air outlet part. The passage formation part has at least one rib projected toward the heat exchanger. The rib is defined within a range corresponding to a narrow portion where the air inlet part and a peripheral part of the axial fan are close to each other in a radial direction of the axial fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Fuminobu Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10808575
    Abstract: A turbine component assembly is disclosed, including a first component, a second component, and a circumferentially oriented flat spring. The first component is arranged to be disposed adjacent to a hot gas path, and includes a ceramic matrix composite composition. The second component is adjacent to the first component and arranged to be disposed distal from the hot gas path across the first component. The circumferentially oriented flat spring is disposed on and directly contacting the second component and directly contacting and supporting the first component as a compliant contact interface between the first component and the second component. The circumferentially oriented flat spring provides a radial spring compliance between the first component and the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Glenn Curtis Taxacher, John McConnell Delvaux, Matthew Troy Hafner
  • Patent number: 10787909
    Abstract: In an axial turbomachine low-pressure compressor, the compressor, or booster, includes a first vane with an intrados surface, a second vane with an extrados surface, an inter-vane passage with a guiding surface, which connects the intrados surface to the extrados surface delimiting an annular vein, and which has a bulge and a recess forming a so-called 3D contouring geometry, or non-axisymmetric surface. The guiding surface includes an axially symmetrical or substantially flat zone, which axially extends through the inter-vane passage so as to separate the recess from the bulge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: SAFRAN AERO BOOSTERS SA
    Inventor: Stéphane Hiernaux
  • Patent number: 10753231
    Abstract: A bushing apparatus includes: a housing with first and second ends, the housing having an outer bore passing therethrough from the first end to the second end, wherein the bore includes a reduced-diameter band located between the first and second ends; and a bushing received in the outer bore, the bushing having first and second ends and an inner bore passing therethrough from the first end to the second end of the bushing, wherein the bushing includes an outer surface having a reduced-diameter groove located between the first and second ends, wherein the band is received in the groove in a radially overlapping relationship, so as to block movement of the bushing relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rodolfo Mena-Dominguez, Ehecatl Tonatiuh Astorga Triay
  • Patent number: 10697326
    Abstract: A turbine component assembly is disclosed, including a first component, a second component, and a cantilever spring. The first component is arranged to be disposed adjacent to a hot gas path, and includes a ceramic matrix composite composition. The second component is adjacent to the first component and arranged to be disposed distal from the hot gas path across the first component. The cantilever spring is attached directly to the second component as a compliant contact interface between the first component and the second component. The cantilever spring provides a radial spring compliance between the first component and the second component. During operation, the cantilever spring directly contacts and supports the first component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Glenn Curtis Taxacher, John McConnell Delvaux, Matthew Troy Hafner
  • Patent number: 10662790
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vane assembly. An outer ring segment surrounds a rotor extending through an inner central portion of a casing. Vanes are fitted into the outer ring segment in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the rotor. A fixing portion is fitted into the outer ring segment to fix the vanes to the outer ring segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Doosan Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hye Ri Lee
  • Patent number: 10626742
    Abstract: An inner ring according to the invention for a guide vane cascade of a turbomachine has a radially outer inner ring surface as well as a plurality of bearing mounts for a respective guide vane plate of a guide vane. The bearing mounts each have an opening in the outer inner ring surface as well as a bottom face lying radially opposite the opening. At least two of the bearing mounts are separated from each other by a separating wall and are connected to each other in a region of their bottom face by a through-opening. A guide vane cascade according to the invention for a turbomachine has an inner ring according to the invention and a plurality of guide vanes inserted into the bearing mounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines AG
    Inventors: Lothar Albers, Georg Zotz, Vitalis Mairhanser
  • Patent number: 10465541
    Abstract: A method of assembling gas turbine engine front architecture includes positioning a first shroud and a first shroud portion radially relative to one another. Multiple vanes are arranged circumferentially between the first shroud and the first shroud portion. A second shroud portion is secured to the first shroud portion about the vanes. The first and second shroud portions provide a second shroud. The vanes are mechanically isolated from the first and second shrouds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Steven J. Feigleson
  • Patent number: 10337342
    Abstract: A stator assembly comprises an annular platform (1) defining a boundary of an annulus and a plurality of guide vanes (2) for arranging in a circumferential array on the annular platform (1). The platform (1) includes a circumferential array of slots each slot having, at a first end, walls converging (3) from an annulus facing side towards an opposite side of the platform and then extending parallel (4) towards a second end. One or more cooling holes (5) is arranged in a wall (3,4) of the slot. Each vane (2) includes a root portion (7) which converges in a first region (8) distal to the root end and then extends parallel towards the root end in a second region (9). The root portion (7) is configured to engage in a slot of the platform (1) with the first region (8) abutting a convergent wall portion (3) of the slot and the second region (9) spaced from a parallel wall (4) of the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Anthony J. Rawlinson
  • Patent number: 10253641
    Abstract: Flow path assemblies for gas turbine engines are provided. For example, a flow path assembly comprises an inner wall; a unitary outer wall; and a plurality of nozzle airfoils having an inner end radially opposite an outer end. The unitary outer wall defines a plurality of outer pockets each configured for receipt of the outer end of one of the nozzle airfoils, and the inner wall includes defines a plurality of inner pockets each configured for receipt of the inner end of one of the plurality of nozzle airfoils. A portion of each inner pocket is defined by a forward inner wall segment and an aft inner wall segment. In another embodiment, a flow path assembly comprises an inner wall defining a plurality of bayonet slots that each receive a bayonet included with each of a plurality of nozzle airfoils that are integral with a unitary outer wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jason David Shapiro, Donald Brett Desander, Edward Charles Vickers
  • Patent number: 10060263
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine component is described. The gas turbine engine component includes an inner diameter edge, an outer diameter edge, a trailing edge and a leading edge. The leading edge has a positive (aft) aerodynamic sweep across substantially an entire span of the leading edge. The gas turbine engine component has a camber angle greater than 50 degrees across substantially an entire span of the component. The gas turbine engine component may have asymmetrical tangential stacking of the component in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel K. Van Ness, Mark A. Stephens, Edward J. Gallagher, Joseph C. Straccia, Vikram A. Kumar
  • Patent number: 9951654
    Abstract: The present application relates to a stator blade sector configured to be fixed to a housing of an axial turbomachine, the sector having a plurality of blades with platforms juxtaposed, so as to describe an arc of a circle. At least one of the platforms comprises on its outer face a fixing screw and at least one other platform has no fixing screws, the platforms being fixed together at their adjacent edges. The application also relates to a stator or portion of stator having a housing forming a generally circular wall and blade sectors arranged along the wall. The housing includes several parts connected to each other by longitudinal flanges. Platforms with no fixing screws are located opposite the flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: SAFRAN AERO BOOSTERS SA
    Inventor: Jean-François Cortequisse
  • Patent number: 9926943
    Abstract: Disclosed is an axial blower that comprises a substantially circular cylindrical blower pipe wherein, in the blower pipe, a blower stator is provided that includes a central construction arranged in the blower pipe and a number of guide blades being disposed downstream of the blower rotor to the effect that they are, at their proximal ends, secured to the central construction and, at their distal ends, securely mounted to the inner side of the blower pipe, whereby the guide blades and the central construction are secured relative to the blower pipe. The central construction includes a number of separate stator segments that are mutually secured to each other; and wherein each of the guide blades is configured as an integral unit along with one of the stator segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: NOVENCO A/S
    Inventors: Martin Rasmussen, Andreas Berglund
  • Patent number: 9909431
    Abstract: An adjustable blade root spring device for turbine blade fixation in turbomachinery. The device is designed to be placed in a space in a rotor disk cavity adjacent to a tip of a blade root, where the device applies a radial outward force on the turbine blade to fix the blade position in the rotor disk. The device includes a wave spring with integral end blocks which is compressed by a bolt and a coil spring. When the wave spring is compressed in length, it increases in height and makes contact with the rotor disk and the turbine blade. The force of the wave spring on the turbine blade can be adjusted via the bolt, and the coil spring provides an increased compliance range. The body of the device has an oblong cross-sectional shape, thereby preventing rotation of the device in the space between the blade and the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Charalambos Polyzopoulos, Mohit Gupta, Robert Hudson, Erica Holden, David Myers
  • Patent number: 9896972
    Abstract: The invention relates to an external composite housing for a compressor of an axial turbomachine, the housing having a generally circular wall with a matrix and fiber reinforcement. The housing includes a circular wall with an internal surface having a continuous curve around the circumference of the wall. The wall includes flat facets that are flush with the internal curved surface of the wall. The facets are arranged in annular rows to receive annular rows of stator vanes. The facets are flat disks against which the vanes bear to optimize the orientation of the vanes, while reducing the concentrations of mechanical stresses at the platform/wall interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Safran Aero Boosters SA
    Inventors: Kris Hoes, Angela Durie, Alain Derclaye
  • Patent number: 9869328
    Abstract: A stator vane assembly is provided. The stator vane assembly may comprise a stator vane, an outer shroud, and a spring. A first end of the stator vane may be fixed to an inner diameter (ID) surface of a vane platform. A slot may be disposed in a surface of the outer shroud, wherein a portion of the stator vane is configured to be located within the slot. In various embodiments, the stator vane may be configured to translate in a radial direction in response to a force between the stator vane and a rotor. In various embodiments, the spring may be configured to be coupled to an outer diameter (OD) surface of the vane platform, wherein the spring is configured to bias the ID surface of the vane platform toward the outer shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: William R. Edwards
  • Patent number: 9869192
    Abstract: The present application relates to a method for assembling a stator stage of a turbomachine, the stage having an inner ring, an outer ring, and vanes extending radially between the inner ring and the outer ring. The method includes at least the following essential step: applying at least one inflatable bladder against at least one opening between a vane and one of the inner ring and the outer ring on that face of the ring which is opposite the face for application of a sealing material, so as to form one or more retention surfaces for the sealing material. The present application also relates to an assembly device designed for implementing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: SAFRAN AERO BOOSTERS SA
    Inventor: Georges Duchaine
  • Patent number: 9828866
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly includes at least one stationary nozzle and an outer ring having a predefined shape. The outer ring includes at least one groove defined therein configured to receive at least a portion of the at least one stationary nozzle. The nozzle assembly also includes an attachment member coupled between the stationary nozzle and the outer ring. The attachment member has a first configuration at a first nozzle assembly operating temperature a second configuration at a second nozzle assembly operating temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Orus Fitts, David Robert Schumacher, Laurence Scott Duclos, Anand Aravindrao Kulkarni, David Bruce Knorr
  • Patent number: 9777584
    Abstract: A method of assembling a gas turbine engine comprising the steps of providing a casing having an insertion aperture in its outer surface. A guide vane is inserted through the insertion aperture. The guide vane is secured to the outer surface of the casing such that the guide vane can be serviced from an outer part of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Michel Cadieux
  • Patent number: 9709072
    Abstract: An angular diffuser sector for a turbine engine compressor is provided. The sector includes an inner shroud; an outer shroud; a vane; a casing element mounted at least in part around one of the shrouds and having an open groove facing an axial end of the corresponding shroud; a wedge-forming fitting interposed between the casing element and the corresponding shroud, the wedge presenting a first surface that contacts with a bearing surface of the axial end of the corresponding shroud, and a second surface that is inclined relative to the first surface and that contacts with a corresponding sloping surface of the groove in the casing element; and a device that exerts an axial force on the wedge so as to keep its first surface in contact with the bearing surface and its second surface in contact with the sloping surface of the groove in the casing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Yvon Cloarec, Laurent Gilles Dezouche
  • Patent number: 9546559
    Abstract: A lock link for locking variable stage stator vanes in a compressor includes a substantially planar body portion having a slot formed on one edge and a narrow neck portion extending away from an opposite edge, the narrow neck portion adapted to seat in a corresponding slot in an adjacent lock link attached to an adjacent vane; and a profiled opening in the substantially planar body portion adapted to receive a key provided on a vane stem to prevent relative rotation between the vane and the lock link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Harry McFarland Jarrett, Jr., Jayakrishna Velampati, Andrew John Lammas, Laurie Ann Cribley, Saurabh Deshmukh
  • Patent number: 9506361
    Abstract: A gas turbine having an annular casing with a series of circumferentially spaced openings defined therethrough; a plurality of vanes extending radially inwardly though respective casing openings, an outer end of the vanes projecting radially outwardly from the casing through the respective openings and located within the respective openings by grommets, and an inner end of the vanes being mounted to an inner portion of the casing; a flexible, segmented strap extending around the annular casing, surrounding the projecting outer ends of the vanes; and a spring radially loading the flexible strap configured to apply a tension force to the flexible strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Bruce Fielding, Nathan Tomes, Thomas Veitch
  • Patent number: 9494053
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes inner and outer shrouds forming an annular gas path, and a plurality of struts connecting the inner shroud to the outer shroud. Airfoil shaped shields surround the struts, and each of the shields include a main body having an upstream leading edge defining a chordal axis extending in a downstream axial direction from the leading edge toward a downstream end of the shield. A trailing edge flap is located at the downstream end of each shield, the trailing edge flap including first and second span-wise portions. The first span-wise portion is oriented to direct flow at an angle relative to the chordal axis of the main body and the second span-wise portion is oriented to direct flow in a direction that is at a different angle than the angle of first span-wise portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: John A. Orosa
  • Patent number: 9388703
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided, which comprises an outlet guide vane provided downstream of a compressor; an outer casing supporting a radially outward part of the outlet guide vane; and an inner diffuser supporting a radially inward part. The outlet guide vane includes a radially inward inner flange; a projecting part projecting radially inward from the inner flange; and an engagement part protruding to one side in an axial direction of the projecting part. The inner diffuser includes a smaller-diameter part having a smaller outer diameter than the other part located upstream. The inner diffuser is provided with an engagement groove extending to one side in the axial direction from an outer peripheral surface of the smaller-diameter part or a region in the vicinity thereof. The engagement part is inserted into the engagement groove with a gap between the engagement part and groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takuya Ikeguchi, Yusuke Sakai, Koji Terauchi
  • Patent number: 9266602
    Abstract: An empennage (1.1) of a helicopter comprising a ducted counter-torque device with a multi-blade rotor (4) of rotor blades (3) and optional vertical tail fins (1.2). Flow-straightening stators (5) of stationary vanes are disposed substantially in a star configuration parallel to the rotor plane downstream from the rotor (4). A shroud (2.1) of the ducted counter-torque device is sheathed with a composite structure of an outer erosion protecting surface layer (7.1, 8.1) made of a hard plastic or a plastic composite material, and at least one succeeding layer (7.2, 8.2) of an elastomeric damping material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopters Deutschland
    Inventors: Wolfgang Kreitmair-Steck, Michael Hebensperger
  • Patent number: 9222363
    Abstract: A stator angular sector for a turbine engine compressor and including: an outer shroud and an inner shroud; and at least one vane extending radially between the shrouds and connected thereto at its radial ends. At one of its axial ends the outer shroud includes a cavity opening out to the axial end and extending between a radially-inner tongue of the outer shroud to which the radially-outer end of the vane is connected and a radially-outer tongue of the outer shroud carrying a mounting mechanism for mounting the stator angular sector to a casing of the engine. An abutment-forming insert is housed at least in part in the cavity, the abutment-forming insert configured to limit radial movements of the radially-inner tongue by contact and thus to modify vibratory behavior of the radially-inner tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventor: Yvon Cloarec
  • Patent number: 9145777
    Abstract: An article of manufacture has a first component configured for use with a turbomachine. The first component is configured for attachment to a second component, and reduces the possibility of attachment with an undesired third component by modification of a characteristic of the first component. This modification is matched by a complementary characteristic of the second component. The first component has a nominal airfoil profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in a scalable table selected from the group consisting of TABLES 1-11. Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z are non-dimensional values convertible to dimensional distances by multiplying by a number. X and Y are coordinates which, when connected by continuing arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each Z height. The airfoil profile sections at each Z height being joined with one another to form a complete airfoil shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael James Dutka, John Duong, Ya-Tien Chiu, Alexander David Shrum, Kelvin Rono Aaron, Christopher Edward LaMaster, San-Dar Gau, Franco Monteleone, Paul Griffin Delvernois, Matthew John McKeever, Govindarajan Rengarajan, Jeremy Peter Latimer, Marc Edward Blohm, Eric Richard Bonini, Venkata Siva Prasad Chaluvadi, Jamie Dean Lumpkin, Thomas Robbins Tipton
  • Patent number: 9097124
    Abstract: A stator vane assembly includes a vane having an inner end. In one example, the vane is aluminum. An inner shroud has an aperture receiving the inner end. A flexible material secures the inner end to the inner shroud. The material has an inner surface opposite the vane providing a seal land in one example. The inner shroud provides an arcuate inner shroud segment, which is constructed either cast aluminum or stamped sheet steel. An inner shroud segment has an arcuate wall providing multiple apertures, for example. First and second flanges are integral with and extending radially inwardly from a concave side of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David P. Dube, Michael E. McMahon, Steven J. Feigleson
  • Patent number: 9068471
    Abstract: The invention relates to a clearance control system and a method for adjusting a running clearance between a rotor having rotor blades of a turbomachine, and a casing that surrounds at least sections thereof. At least one adjusting gear unit, which can be coupled to at least one casing segment allows for movement of at least one segment radially in relation to the rotational axis of the rotor. An adjusting element can be arranged around the rotor and coupled to at least one adjusting gear unit and can be moved in relation to it for actuating the adjusting gear unit, whereby axial movement and/or pivoting of the adjusting element in relation to the rotor actuates adjustment of the running clearance, with each adjusting gear unit converting an at least predominantly axial movement of the adjusting element into at least predominantly radial movement of the assigned segment of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: MTU AERO ENGINES GMBH
    Inventor: Hermann Klingels
  • Patent number: 9062560
    Abstract: A variable stator vane assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a variable stator vane and a non-structural fairing on the variable stator vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Richard K. Hayford, David P. Dube
  • Patent number: 9051849
    Abstract: A stator assembly for a turbofan gas turbine engine is disclosed. The stator assembly is coupled to a shroud of the engine. The stator assembly includes an endless case fixedly coupled to the engine shroud. The case includes a forward portion, an aft portion and a central portion disposed therebetween. The case extends about an axis of the engine. The forward and aft portions of the case include rails that extend towards each other and form forward and aft pockets with the central portion respectfully. The stator assembly also includes a locking stator segment. The locking stator segment includes a shroud that includes a forward hook and a pair of aft hooks with a platform disposed therebetween. The forward and aft hooks are retained in the forward and aft pockets of the case respectfully.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Mark David Ring, Jonathan J. Earl
  • Patent number: 9039364
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor, a combustor section, and a turbine. The turbine includes an integrated case/stator segment that is comprised of a ceramic matrix composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ioannis Alvanos, Gabriel L. Suciu
  • Publication number: 20150132124
    Abstract: An inner ring of a fluid flow machine includes fixing rings and seal carriers split into at least two fixing ring segments and into at least two seal carrier segments, respectively. The fixing ring segments and the seal carrier segments are arranged with the respective end faces facing each other. A first fixing ring segment has a first ring segment shoulder and a second fixing ring segment has an offset second ring segment shoulder. A first seal carrier segment has a first carrier segment shoulder, and a second seal carrier segment has a second carrier segment shoulder, which is offset with respect to the first carrier segment shoulder. In a separation plane of the inner ring, the first carrier segment shoulder abuts the second ring segment shoulder at the end face. Also in the separation plane, the second carrier segment shoulder abuts the first ring segment shoulder at the end face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Lothar ALBERS, Georg Zotz, Rudolf Pilzweger, Hermann Becker
  • Publication number: 20150125290
    Abstract: A core ring for a torque converter comprising: an annular body portion including an inner concave surface, an outer convex surface, an inner circumferential edge, and an outer circumferential edge; a plurality of blade tab slots for receiving a plurality of blades; and at least one positioning element including material protruding axially inward from the inner concave surface to form a tip of the positioning element for aligning a stator. A method for installing a torque converter onto a transmission is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicants: Schaeffler Group USA, Inc., Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Aditya Dattawadkar
  • Publication number: 20150118041
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly includes at least one stationary nozzle and an outer ring having a predefined shape. The outer ring includes at least one groove defined therein configured to receive at least a portion of the at least one stationary nozzle. The nozzle assembly also includes an attachment member coupled between the stationary nozzle and the outer ring. The attachment member has a first configuration at a first nozzle assembly operating temperature a second configuration at a second nozzle assembly operating temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Orus Fitts, David Robert Schumacher, Laurence Scott Duclos, Anand Aravindrao Kulkarni, David Bruce Knorr
  • Publication number: 20150118040
    Abstract: A support ring for a row of vanes in an engine section of a gas turbine engine includes an annular main body portion for providing structural support for a row of vanes in the engine section, an aft hook, a forward wall, and a strong back plate. The aft hook extends from an aft side of the main body portion and is coupled to an outer engine casing for structurally supporting the support ring in the engine section. The forward wall extends generally radially outwardly from a forward side of the main body portion. The strong back plate spans between the forward wall and the aft hook and effects a reduction in dynamic displacement between the forward wall and the aft hook during operation of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Ching-Pang Lee, Mrinal Munshi, Adam C. Pela, Paul Bradley Davis, Matthew H. Lang
  • Publication number: 20150104303
    Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine having a housing, an impeller arranged in the housing interior having an impeller shaft and being mounted in a bearing block, and an intermediate element between the impeller and the bearing block. The housing includes at least one flow channel for feeding or discharging a fluid to or from the impeller, and the intermediate element includes a wall section that delimits a least a section of at least one of the flow channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Jan VELTHUIS