Abstract: An electrode (54) in the tip (31) of a turbine or compressor blade (30), and a series of electrodes (68) in a shroud (36, 64) that surrounds a rotation path (33) of the blade tip. As the blade tip reaches each shroud electrode, a controller (74) activates an electrical potential between them that generates a plasma-induced gas flow (76) directed toward the pressure side (PS) of the airfoil. The plasma creates a seal between the blade tip and the shroud, and induces a gas flow that opposes a leakage gas flow (52) from the pressure side to the suction side (SS) of the blade over the blade tip (31).

Abstract: A cooling system for the fillet of a turbine blade is provided. The blade includes an airfoil transitioning to a platform having a flow path surface. The transition region is defined by a fillet. A cooling passage is formed in the platform and extends about at least a portion of the periphery of the airfoil. The cooling passage is located proximate to the flow path surface and is substantially aligned with at least a portion of the fillet. Coolant is delivered to the passage by a supply hole, which can reduce the temperature in the fillet region. As a result, thermal gradients in the fillet region can be minimized, which can reduce thermal stresses. An exhaust hole extends between the passage and the flow path surface of the platform. Thus, coolant discharged from the exhaust holes enters the flow path of the turbine.

Abstract: A fuel nozzle assembly for use in a combustor apparatus of a gas turbine engine. An outer housing of the fuel nozzle assembly includes an inner volume and provides a direct structural connection between a duct structure and a fuel manifold. The duct structure defines a flow passage for combustion gases flowing within the combustor apparatus. The fuel manifold defines a fuel supply channel therein in fluid communication with a source of fuel. A fuel injector of the fuel nozzle assembly is provided in the inner volume of the outer housing and defines a fuel passage therein. The fuel passage is in fluid communication with the fuel supply channel of the fuel manifold for distributing the fuel from the fuel supply channel into the flow passage of the duct structure.

Abstract: A fuel injector in a combustor apparatus of a gas turbine engine. An outer wall of the injector defines an interior volume in which an intermediate wall is disposed. A first gap is formed between the outer wall and the intermediate wall. The intermediate wall defines an internal volume in which an inner wall is disposed. A second gap is formed between the intermediate wall and the inner wall. The second gap receives cooling fluid that cools the injector. The cooling fluid provides convective cooling to the intermediate wall as it flows within the second gap. The cooling fluid also flows through apertures in the intermediate wall into the first gap where it provides impingement cooling to the outer wall and provides convective cooling to the outer wall. The inner wall defines a passageway that delivers fuel into a liner downstream from a main combustion zone.

Abstract: A gas turbine includes forward and aft rows of rotatable blades, a row of stationary vanes between the forward and aft rows of rotatable blades, an annular intermediate disc, and a seal housing apparatus. The forward and aft rows of rotatable blades are coupled to respective first and second portions of a disc/rotor assembly. The annular intermediate disc is coupled to the disc/rotor assembly so as to be rotatable with the disc/rotor assembly during operation of the gas turbine. The annular intermediate disc includes a forward side coupled to the first portion of the disc/rotor assembly and an aft side coupled to the second portion of the disc/rotor assembly. The seal housing apparatus is coupled to the annular intermediate disc so as to be rotatable with the annular intermediate disc and the disc/rotor assembly during operation of the gas turbine.

Abstract: A combustor assembly in a gas turbine engine. The combustor assembly includes a combustor device coupled to a main engine casing, a first fuel injection system, a transition duct, and an intermediate duct. The combustor device includes a flow sleeve for receiving pressurized air and a liner disposed radially inwardly from the flow sleeve. The first fuel injection system provides fuel that is ignited with the pressurized air creating first working gases. The intermediate duct is disposed between the liner and the transition duct and defines a path for the first working gases to flow from the liner to the transition duct. An intermediate duct inlet portion is associated with a liner outlet and allows movement between the intermediate duct and the liner. An intermediate duct outlet portion is associated with a transition duct inlet section and allows movement between the intermediate duct and the transition duct.

Abstract: A combustor apparatus for use in a gas turbine engine. The combustor apparatus includes a liner, a flow sleeve, and a fuel injection system. The liner includes an inner volume, wherein a portion of the inner volume defines a main combustion zone. The flow sleeve receives compressed air, is positioned radially outward from the liner, and includes a forward end and an aft end. The fuel injection system is coupled to the flow sleeve and provides fuel into the inner volume of the liner downstream from the main combustion zone. The fuel injection system includes a fuel manifold and a fuel dispensing structure. The fuel manifold is coupled to the flow sleeve and includes a cavity for receiving fuel. The fuel dispensing structure is associated with the cavity and distributes fuel from the cavity to the liner inner volume.

Abstract: A combustion apparatus in a gas turbine engine comprises a combustor shell for receiving air, a fuel injection system associated with the combustor shell, a first fuel supply structure, and a shield structure. The fuel supply structure is in fluid communication with a source of fuel for delivering fuel from the source of fuel to the fuel injection system and comprises a first fuel supply elements including a first section extending along a first path having a component in an axial direction and a second section extending from the first section along a second path having a component in a circumferential direction. The shield structure is associated with at least a portion of the second section of the first fuel supply element.

Abstract: An airfoil structure, shim and retention member combination is provided. The combination comprises an airfoil structure, a retention member and a shim. The airfoil structure may comprise a first recess. The retention member may comprising a second recess. The first and second recesses may define a cavity. The shim may comprise a main body and a plurality of first fins extending outwardly from a first side of the main body. The first fins may further extend transverse to a longitudinal axis of the main body. The shim may be positioned in the cavity such that the first fins extend in a direction substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the cavity.

Abstract: A system for supporting a plurality of fuel nozzles in a combustor includes a plurality of fuel nozzles coupled to a fuel nozzle support housing proximate an upstream end of each fuel nozzle, a plurality of swirler vanes rigidly coupled to respective fuel nozzles proximate an intermediate portion of the fuel nozzle, a plurality of shrouds rigidly coupled to respective swirler vanes, each shroud having an upstream end adjacent the intermediate portion of the fuel nozzle and a downstream end and a support plate rigidly coupled to the plurality of shrouds proximate an intermediate portion of each of the shrouds. The support plate has a perimeter approximately equal to an inside perimeter of combustor housing which allow the support plate to limit the movement and vibration of the fuel nozzles.

Abstract: A system for supporting a plurality of fuel nozzles in a combustor includes a plurality of fuel nozzles coupled to a fuel nozzle support housing proximate an upstream end of each fuel nozzle, a plurality of swirler vanes rigidly coupled to respective fuel nozzles proximate an intermediate portion of the fuel nozzle, a plurality of shrouds rigidly coupled to respective swirler vanes, each shroud having an upstream end adjacent the intermediate portion of the fuel nozzle and a downstream end and a support plate rigidly coupled to the plurality of shrouds proximate an intermediate portion of each of the shrouds. The support plate has a perimeter approximately equal to an inside perimeter of combustor housing which allow the support plate to limit the movement and vibration of the fuel nozzles.

Abstract: A device for sealing between and damping of adjacent rotor blade platforms is provided which includes a forward seal member, a compliant center seal member, an aft seal member, a first damper, and a second damper. The first damper is disposed between the forward and compliant center seal members, and the second damper is disposed between the compliant center and aft seal members. The compliant center seal member is disposed between the first and second dampers. The compliant center seal member accommodates misalignment between adjacent rotor blade platforms by deflecting in response to centrifugal forces acting on the dampers.

Abstract: In a gas turbine engine having a laybrinth seal between an annular rotor and stator therein, in which the stator is surmounted by a honeycomb structure and the rotor has a knife edge which is mounted to rotate in close annular proximity with said honeycomb structure, an improvement is provided wherein such labyrinth seal has a layer of abradeable coating atop the honeycomb structure for the rotor knife edge to rotate proximate thereto and to rub in, without substantially damaging the knife edge nor the honeycomb structure. In one embodiment the layer of abradeable coating is mounted on a metalic foil which is mounted in turn, atop the honeycomb structure. The abradeable coating thus provided, is more yieldable and less damaging to a rotor knife edge than is the honeycomb structure of the prior art, to better preserve rotor and stator and thus the labryrinth seal.

Abstract: A balance weight mechanism is attached to a tubular engine shaft for correcting unbalance in the engine. The tubular shaft includes a stiffener plate mounted therein transversely to the rotational axis of the shaft. The balance weight mechanism includes a balance weight arm and a fastener for releasably fastening an end of the arm to a generally central location on the stiffener plate where the axis of rotation of the shaft intersects the plate. Spline teeth on the balance weight arm face toward the stiffener plate and are aligned to intermesh with an arc of an annular spline ring on the plate for holding the arm in a desired angularly adjusted position extending outwardly radially from the axis of rotation of the shaft when the arm is fastened tightly against the plate.

Abstract: An annular combustor for a jet turbine engine of generally rectangular cr-section having an axially-projecting aft exhaust outlet is lined by a plurality of circumferentially-extending heat-insulating liner segments, preferably ceramic, spaced from the metal shell of the combustor by spring-like spacers. The liner segments have offset tabs at their edges to slidably mate with each other and with retaining clips adjacent to the exhaust outlet, thereby being slidably secured to accept expansion of the metal shell without placing appreciable stress on the liner segments. Arcuate, generally planer liner segments along the forward and aft walls of the combustor are keyed in place by a radially-inward flanged liner segment along the outer perimetrical wall of the shell.

Abstract: A balance weight supported by a spring clip is inserted inside the low turbine shaft of a jet engine at the proper position and frictionally engages an inner bulkhead in the form of an "anti-oval plug". The clip is provided with a threaded opening to receive the threaded end of an elongated rod whereby the clip is inserted within the shaft and installed at the desired location after which the rod is unscrewed from the clip and withdrawn, leaving the weight in place on the anti-oval plug.