Abstract: An arrangement (10) for delivering gases from combustors (15) to a first row of blades. The arrangement (10) includes at least an upstream flow path (60) including an aft first side wall (64) and a downstream flow path (62) including a forward second side wall (66). A convergence junction trailing edge (40) is defined at a downstream terminal edge (41) of the first side wall (64), and the second side wall (66) converges toward the first side wall (64) in the direction of the convergence junction trailing edge (40). An impingement sheet structure (78) is located between and provides impingement cooling air to the first and second side walls (64, 66). Openings (88) provide a cooling air passage between the first and second side walls (64, 66) and provide a flow of post impingement air into the gas path at the convergence junction trailing edge (40).

Abstract: A cooling arrangement (100), including: a substrate having a pocket (24) defined by a rib side surface (28) and a bottom surface (26); a feature (112) formed in the rib side surface; and an impingement plate (102). In an installed configuration (116) a resilience of the impingement plate enables an interference between the impingement plate and the feature that locks the impingement plate in an installed position (118). An elastic compression of the impingement plate from the installed configuration eliminates the interference.

Abstract: An arrangement (10) for delivering gases from combustors (15) to a first row of blades. The arrangement (10) includes at least an upstream flow path (60) including an aft first side wall (64) and a downstream flow path (62) including a forward second side wall (66). A convergence junction trailing edge (40) is defined at a downstream terminal edge (41) of the first side wall (64), and the second side wall (66) converges toward the first side wall (64) in the direction of the convergence junction trailing edge (40). An impingement sheet structure (78) is located between and provides impingement cooling air to the first and second side walls (64, 66). Openings (88) provide a cooling air passage between the first and second side walls (64, 66) and provide a flow of post impingement air into the gas path at the convergence junction trailing edge (40).

Abstract: A conduit through which hot combustion gases pass in a gas turbine engine. The conduit includes a wall structure having a central axis and defining an inner volume of the conduit for permitting hot combustion gases to pass through the conduit. The wall structure includes a forward end, an aft end axially spaced from the forward end, the aft end defining a combustion gas outlet for the hot combustion gases passing through the conduit, and a plurality of generally radially outwardly extending protuberances formed in the wall structure. The protuberances each include at least one cooling fluid passage formed therethrough for permitting cooling fluid to enter the inner volume. At least one of the protuberances is shaped so as to cause cooling fluid passing through it to diverge in a circumferential direction as it enters into the inner volume.

Abstract: A cooling arrangement (100), including: a substrate having a pocket (24) defined by a rib side surface (28) and a bottom surface (26); a feature (112) formed in the rib side surface; and an impingement plate (102). In an installed configuration (116) a resilience of the impingement plate enables an interference between the impingement plate and the feature that locks the impingement plate in an installed position (118). An elastic compression of the impingement plate from the installed configuration eliminates the interference.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a cooling flow from a compressor to a turbine in a gas turbine engine. First, second and third cooling air flows are provided from the compressor through respective ejectors as external bleed air flows to stages of the turbine. A first ejector combines a first bleed air flow extracted from the compressor with a lower pressure air flow extracted from the compressor to form the first cooling air flow. A second ejector combines a second bleed air flow extracted from the compressor with a secondary portion extracted from the first bleed air flow to form the second cooling air flow. A third ejector combines a third bleed air flow extracted from the compressor with a secondary portion extracted from the second bleed air flow to form the third cooling air flow.

Abstract: A midframe portion (213) of a gas turbine engine (210) is presented, and includes a compressor section (212) configured to discharge an air flow (211) directed in a radial direction from an outlet of the compressor section (212). Additionally, the midframe portion (213) includes a manifold (214) to directly couple the air flow (211) from the compressor section (212) outlet to an inlet of a respective combustor head (218) of the midframe portion (213).

Abstract: A casing for a can annular gas turbine engine, including: a compressed air section (40) spanning between a last row of compressor blades (26) and a first row of turbine blades (28), the compressed air section (40) having a plurality of openings (50) there through, wherein a single combustor/advanced duct assembly (64) extends through each opening (50); and one top hat (68) associated with each opening (50) configured to enclose the associated combustor/advanced duct assembly (64) and seal the opening (50). A volume enclosed by the compressed air section (40) is not greater than a volume of a frustum (54) defined at an upstream end (56) by an inner diameter of the casing at the last row of compressor blades (26) and at a downstream end (60) by an inner diameter of the casing at the first row of turbine blades (28).

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for delivering gases from a plurality of combustors of a can-annular gas turbine combustion engine to a first row of turbine blades including a first row of turbine blades. The arrangement includes a gas path cylinder, a cone and an integrated exit piece (IEP) for each combustor. Each IEP comprises an inlet chamber for receiving a gas flow from a respective combustor, and includes a connection segment. The IEPs are connected together to define an annular chamber extending circumferentially and concentric to an engine longitudinal axis, for delivering the gas flow to the first row of blades. A radiused joint extends radially inward from a radially outer side of the inlet chamber to an outer boundary of the annular chamber, and a flared fillet extends radially inward from a radially inner side of the inlet chamber to an inner boundary of the annular chamber.

Abstract: A midframe portion (313) of a gas turbine engine (310) is presented and includes a compressor section with a last stage blade to orient an air flow (311) at a first angle (372). The midframe portion (313) further includes a turbine section with a first stage blade to receive the air flow (311) oriented at a second angle (374). The midframe portion (313) further includes a manifold (314) to directly couple the air flow (311) from the compressor section to a combustor head (318) upstream of the turbine section. The combustor head (318) introduces an offset angle in the air flow (311) from the first angle (372) to the second angle (374) to discharge the air flow (311) from the combustor head (318) at the second angle (374). While introducing the offset angle, the combustor head (318) at least maintains or augments the first angle (372).

Abstract: A gas turbine combustor (26) disposed in a combustion air plenum (65) and a transition piece (28) for the combustor disposed in a separate cooling air plenum (58, 67). The combustion air plenum may receive combustion air (50) from a high-pressure compressor stage (22A). The cooling air plenum may receive cooling air (52) from an intermediate-pressure compressor stage (22B) at lower temperature and pressure than the combustion air. This cools the transition piece using less air than prior systems, thus making the gas turbine engine (20) more efficient and less expensive, because less expensive materials are needed and/or higher combustion temperatures are allowed. The cooling air may exit the cooling air plenum through holes (62) in a downstream portion (61) of the transition piece. An outer wall (72) on the transition piece may provide forced convection along the transition piece.

Abstract: A compressor airfoil tip clearance optimization system for reducing a gap between a tip of a compressor airfoil and a radially adjacent component of a turbine engine is disclosed. The turbine engine may include ID and OD flowpath boundaries configured to minimize compressor airfoil tip clearances during turbine engine operation in cooperation with one or more clearance reduction systems that are configured to move the rotor assembly axially to reduce tip clearance. The configurations of the ID and OD flowpath boundaries enhance the effectiveness of the axial movement of the rotor assembly, which includes movement of the ID flowpath boundary. During operation of the turbine engine, the rotor assembly may be moved axially to increase the efficiency of the turbine engine.

Abstract: A turbine engine including an intermediate space defined between outer and inner portions of the turbine engine. A flow energizer is provided including a flow body located within the intermediate space and including an inlet port, an outlet port and a flow passage extending within the flow body between the inlet and outlet ports. The inlet port receives a flow of a first medium located within the intermediate space and the flow body injects an energizing flow of a second medium to a portion of the first medium within the flow body to create an energized flow of a mixed medium from the outlet portion, the energized flow of mixed medium creates a flow of the first medium adjacent to the flow body within the intermediate space.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for delivering gases from a plurality of combustors of a can-annular gas turbine combustion engine to a first row of turbine blades including a first row of turbine blades. The arrangement includes a gas path cylinder, a cone and an integrated exit piece (IEP) for each combustor. Each IEP comprises an inlet chamber for receiving a gas flow from a respective combustor, and includes a connection segment. The IEPs are connected together to define an annular chamber extending circumferentially and concentric to an engine longitudinal axis, for delivering the gas flow to the first row of blades. A radiused joint extends radially inward from a radially outer side of the inlet chamber to an outer boundary of the annular chamber, and a flared fillet extends radially inward from a radially inner side of the inlet chamber to an inner boundary of the annular chamber.

Abstract: A strut cover for use in a gas turbine engine having structure defining an annular flow path for receiving exhaust gas from a turbine section of the engine. The strut cover is located downstream from a last row of blades of the turbine section and extends radially through the flow path between inner and outer walls. The strut cover includes an upstream section and a downstream section. The upstream section defines a leading edge for the strut cover and is supported on a pivot axis for pivotal movement about the pivot axis. The downstream section defines a trailing edge for the strut cover and includes an upstream end positioned adjacent to a downstream end of the upstream section. The downstream section is stationary relative to the inner and outer walls to define a predetermined flow angle for directing exhaust gases flowing from the upstream section and passing through the diffuser.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a gas turbine engine and a process for operating a gas turbine engine. A fluid structure receives compressed air from a compressor and extends toward a stationary blade ring in a turbine to discharge the compressed air directly against a surface of the blade ring such that the compressed air impinges on the blade ring surface. The compressed air then passes through at least one opening in the stationary blade ring and into cooling passages of a corresponding row of vanes.

Abstract: A turbine engine shutdown temperature control system configured to foster consistent air temperature within cavities surrounding compressor and turbine blade assemblies to eliminate turbine and compressor blade tip rub during warm restarts of gas turbine engines is disclosed. The turbine engine shutdown temperature control system may include one or more air amplifiers positioned in a turbine case. An exhaust outlet of the air amplifier may extend into a cavity created by a turbine case and may be configured to exhaust air in a generally circumferential direction to entrain air within the cavity to flow circumferentially to establish a consistent air temperature within the cavity thereby preventing uneven cooling of turbine engine components after shutdown and prevent damage to turbine components during a warm restart.

Abstract: A turbine engine including an intermediate space defined between outer and inner portions of the turbine engine. A flow energizer is provided including a flow body located within the intermediate space and including an inlet port, an outlet port and a flow passage extending within the flow body between the inlet and outlet ports. The inlet port receives a flow of a first medium located within the intermediate space and the flow body injects an energizing flow of a second medium to a portion of the first medium within the flow body to create an energized flow of a mixed medium from the outlet portion, the energized flow of mixed medium creates a flow of the first medium adjacent to the flow body within the intermediate space.

Abstract: A midframe portion (313) of a gas turbine engine (310) is presented and includes a compressor section with a last stage blade to orient an air flow (311) at a first angle (372). The midframe portion (313) further includes a turbine section with a first stage blade to receive the air flow (311) oriented at a second angle (374). The midframe portion (313) further includes a manifold (314) to directly couple the air flow (311) from the compressor section to a combustor head (318) upstream of the turbine section. The combustor head (318) introduces an offset angle in the air flow (311) from the first angle (372) to the second angle (374) to discharge the air flow (311) from the combustor head (318) at the second angle (374). While introducing the offset angle, the combustor head (318) at least maintains or augments the first angle (372).

Abstract: A midframe portion (213) of a gas turbine engine (210) is presented, and includes a compressor section (212) configured to discharge an air flow (211) directed in a radial direction from an outlet of the compressor section (212). Additionally, the midframe portion (213) includes a manifold (214) to directly couple the air flow (211) from the compressor section (212) outlet to an inlet of a respective combustor head (218) of the midframe portion (213).