Abstract: A contoured turbine airfoil assembly including an end wall (30a) formed by platforms (30) located circumferentially adjacent to each other, and a row of airfoils (34a, 34b) integrally joined to the end wall (30a) and spaced laterally apart to define flow passages (46) therebetween for channeling gases in an axial direction. A trough (62) is defined between a pressure side ridge (48) and a suction side ridge (58) located forward of each pair of airfoils (34a, 34b). Each trough (62) has a direction of elongation aligned to direct flow into the flow passage (46) centrally between each pair of airfoils (34a, 34b).

Abstract: A shrouded turbine airfoil (10) with a leakage flow conditioner (12) configured to direct leakage flow to be aligned with main hot gas flow is disclosed. The leakage flow conditioner (12) may be positioned on a radially outer surface (18) of an outer shroud base (20) of the outer shroud (22) on a tip (24) of an airfoil (10). The leakage flow conditioner (12) may include a radially outer surface (28) that is positioned further radially inward than the radially outer surface (18) of the outer shroud base (20) creating a radially outward extending wall surface (30) that serves to redirect leakage flow. In at least one embodiment, the radially outward extending wall surface (30) may be aligned with a pressure side (38) of the shrouded turbine airfoil (10) to increase the efficiency of a turbine engine by redirecting leakage flow to be aligned with main hot gas flow to reduce aerodynamic loss upon re-introduction to the main gas flow.

Abstract: A turbine blade (10) includes a generally elongated airfoil (32) extending span-wise along a radial direction, and a circumferentially extending shroud (70) coupled to a radially outer tip (24) of the airfoil (32). The shroud (70) includes an upstream edge (72) and a downstream edge (74) spaced apart axially. The shroud (70) further includes a radially inner surface (76) adjoining the tip (24) of the airfoil (32) and a radially outer surface (78) generally opposite to the radially inner surface (76). The radially inner surface (76) and the radially outer surface (78) are connected at the upstream edge (72) and at the downstream edge (74). In circumferential cross-section, the shroud (70) has a shape of an aerodynamic lifting body (60, 62) defined by a contour of the radially inner surface (76) and that of the radially outer surface (78).

Abstract: A shrouded turbine airfoil (10) with a leakage flow conditioner (12) configured to direct leakage flow to be aligned with main hot gas flow is disclosed. The leakage flow conditioner (12) may be positioned on a radially outer surface (18) of an outer shroud base (20) of the outer shroud (22) on a tip (24) of an airfoil (10). The leakage flow conditioner (12) may include a radially outer surface (28) that is positioned further radially inward than the radially outer surface (18) of the outer shroud base (20) creating a radially outward extending wall surface (30) that serves to redirect leakage flow. In at least one embodiment, the radially outward extending wall surface (30) may be aligned with a pressure side (38) of the shrouded turbine airfoil (10) to increase the efficiency of a turbine engine by redirecting leakage flow to be aligned with main hot gas flow to reduce aerodynamic loss upon re-introduction to the main gas flow.

Abstract: A turbine airfoil assembly for installation in a gas turbine engine. The airfoil assembly includes an endwall and an airfoil extending radially outwardly from the endwall. The airfoil includes pressure and suction sidewalls defining chordally spaced apart leading and trailing edges of the airfoil. An airfoil mean line is defined located centrally between the pressure and suction sidewalls. An angle between the mean line and a line parallel to the engine axis at the leading and trailing edges defines gas flow entry angles, ?, and exit angles, ?. Airfoil inlet and exit angles are substantially in accordance with inlet angle values, ?, and exit angle values, ?, set forth in one of Tables 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Abstract: A contoured turbine airfoil assembly including an end wall (30a) formed by platforms (30) located circumferentially adjacent to each other, and a row of airfoils (34a, 34b) integrally joined to the end wall (30a) and spaced laterally apart to define flow passages (46) therebetween for channeling gases in an axial direction. A trough (62) is defined between a pressure side ridge (48) and a suction side ridge (58) located forward of each pair of airfoils (34a, 34b). Each trough (62) has a direction of elongation aligned to direct flow into the flow passage (46) centrally between each pair of airfoils (34a, 34b).

Abstract: A vane array adapted to be coupled to a vane carrier within a gas turbine engine is provided comprising: a plurality of elongated airfoils comprising at least a first airfoil and a second airfoil located adjacent to one another; a U-ring; first connector structure for coupling a radially inner end section of each of the first and second airfoils to the U-ring; second connector structure for coupling a radially outer end section of each of the first and second airfoils to the vane carrier; a platform extending between the first and second airfoils; and platform connector structure for coupling the platform to one of the U-ring and the vane carrier.

Abstract: A turbine airfoil assembly for installation in a gas turbine engine. The airfoil assembly includes an endwall and an airfoil extending radially outwardly from the endwall. The airfoil includes pressure and suction sidewalls defining chordally spaced apart leading and trailing edges of the airfoil. An airfoil mean line is defined located centrally between the pressure and suction sidewalls. An angle between the mean line and a line parallel to the engine axis at the leading and trailing edges defines gas flow entry angles, ?, and exit angles, ?. Airfoil inlet and exit angles are substantially in accordance with inlet angle values, ?, and exit angle values, ?, set forth in one of Tables 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Abstract: A vane array adapted to be coupled to a vane carrier within a gas turbine engine is provided comprising: a plurality of elongated airfoils comprising at least a first airfoil and a second airfoil located adjacent to one another; a U-ring; first connector structure for coupling a radially inner end section of each of the first and second airfoils to the U-ring; second connector structure for coupling a radially outer end section of each of the first and second airfoils to the vane carrier; a platform extending between the first and second airfoils; and platform connector structure for coupling the platform to one of the U-ring and the vane carrier.