Abstract: A turbomachine blade may include an airfoil and a shank coupled to the airfoil. The shank may include a cover plate having a first circumferential face and a second, opposing circumferential face. A radial cooling groove is positioned in the first circumferential face and is configured to allow a cooling fluid to pass from a first radial position to a second, different radial position relative to the platform. The radial cooling groove provides cover plate and shank cooling. In addition, the radial cooling groove may deliver fluid for purging gaps between blade platforms and cover plates, which prevents the ingestion of hot gas from the turbine flowpath.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a cooling supply circuit within a turbine wheel, which may include: a substantially axial passage configured to communicate air along an axial length of the turbine wheel; a substantially radial inlet positioned within the turbine wheel between a hollow interior of the turbine wheel and the substantially axial passage, the inlet being configured to direct a rotor purge air into the substantially axial passage; and a substantially radial outlet positioned within the turbine wheel between the substantially axial passage and a cooled component coupled to a radial exterior of the turbine wheel, the outlet being configured to direct the rotor purge air towards the cooled component, wherein the outlet is axially displaced from the inlet.

Abstract: A turbomachine blade may include an airfoil and a shank coupled to the airfoil. The shank may include a cover plate having a first circumferential face and a second, opposing circumferential face. A radial cooling groove is positioned in the first circumferential face and is configured to allow a cooling fluid to pass from a first radial position to a second, different radial position relative to the platform. The radial cooling groove provides cover plate and shank cooling. In addition, the radial cooling groove may deliver fluid for purging gaps between blade platforms and cover plates, which prevents the ingestion of hot gas from the turbine flowpath.

Abstract: A seal configuration includes a housing and a rotatable member rotationally mounted relative to the housing. The rotatable member has at least one portion defining an outer perimetrical face that is configured to contact the housing during operational conditions that cause a radial dimension of the at least one portion to increase. The at least one portion has opposing axial surfaces with each of the opposing axial surfaces being dimensionally axially nearer to the other of the opposing axial surfaces immediately radially inwardly of the outer perimetrical face than a furthest part of the outer perimetrical face.

Abstract: A seal configuration includes a housing and a rotatable member rotationally mounted relative to the housing. The rotatable member has at least one portion defining an outer perimetrical face that is configured to contact the housing during operational conditions that cause a radial dimension of the at least one portion to increase. The at least one portion has opposing axial surfaces with each of the opposing axial surfaces being dimensionally axially nearer to the other of the opposing axial surfaces immediately radially inwardly of the outer perimetrical face than a furthest part of the outer perimetrical face.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a cooling supply circuit within a turbine wheel, which may include: a substantially axial passage configured to communicate air along an axial length of the turbine wheel; a substantially radial inlet positioned within the turbine wheel between a hollow interior of the turbine wheel and the substantially axial passage, the inlet being configured to direct a rotor purge air into the substantially axial passage; and a substantially radial outlet positioned within the turbine wheel between the substantially axial passage and a cooled component coupled to a radial exterior of the turbine wheel, the outlet being configured to direct the rotor purge air towards the cooled component, wherein the outlet is axially displaced from the inlet.

Abstract: A seal configuration includes a housing and a rotatable member rotationally mounted relative to the housing. The rotatable member has at least one portion defining an outer perimetrical face that is configured to contact the housing during operational conditions that cause a radial dimension of the at least one portion to increase. The at least one portion has opposing axial surfaces with each of the opposing axial surfaces being dimensionally axially nearer to the other of the opposing axial surfaces immediately radially inwardly of the outer perimetrical face than a furthest part of the outer perimetrical face.

Abstract: A compressor rotor includes a rotor body mounting a disk supporting an array of blades on a radially outer surface of the disk in a primary flow path. A radially inner portion of the disk is formed with an annular array of radially extending vanes adapted to move cooling air flowing in a secondary flow path from a radially-inward direction to an axial direction at a substantially center portion of said disk. Some of said radially-extending vanes have relatively longer radial lengths and some of the radially extending vanes having relatively shorter radial lengths to thereby provide a sufficient flow area while also lessening the formation of vortices along the vanes.

Abstract: A compressor having a purge circuit. In one embodiment, the compressor includes: a rotor having a plurality of stages, each of the plurality of stages including a set of radially extending rotor wheels; a working fluid supply path for providing working fluid to each of the plurality of stages for compression by each set of radially extending rotor wheels; a purge circuit for diverting a first portion of the working fluid from an upstream portion of the working fluid supply path to at least one downstream stage of the plurality of stages; and a substantially axial bypass path bypassing the at least one downstream stage, the substantially axial bypass path for diverting a second portion of the working fluid around the at least one downstream stage.

Abstract: A seal configuration includes a housing and a rotatable member rotationally mounted relative to the housing. The rotatable member has at least one portion defining an outer perimetrical face that is configured to contact the housing during operational conditions that cause a radial dimension of the at least one portion to increase. The at least one portion has opposing axial surfaces with each of the opposing axial surfaces being dimensionally axially nearer to the other of the opposing axial surfaces immediately radially inwardly of the outer perimetrical face than a furthest part of the outer perimetrical face.

Abstract: A compressor rotor includes a rotor body mounting a disk supporting an array of blades on a radially outer surface of the disk in a primary flow path. A radially inner portion of the disk is formed with an annular array of radially extending vanes adapted to move cooling air flowing in a secondary flow path from a radially-inward direction to an axial direction at a substantially center portion of said disk. Some of said radially-extending vanes have relatively longer radial lengths and some of the radially extending vanes having relatively shorter radial lengths to thereby provide a sufficient flow area while also lessening the formation of vortices along the vanes.

Abstract: A compressor having a purge circuit. In one embodiment, the compressor includes: a rotor having a plurality of stages, each of the plurality of stages including a set of radially extending rotor wheels; a working fluid supply path for providing working fluid to each of the plurality of stages for compression by each set of radially extending rotor wheels; a purge circuit for diverting a first portion of the working fluid from an upstream portion of the working fluid supply path to at least one downstream stage of the plurality of stages; and a substantially axial bypass path bypassing the at least one downstream stage, the substantially axial bypass path for diverting a second portion of the working fluid around the at least one downstream stage.

Abstract: A system for providing compliant rotating seals including a rotating portion that has one or more teeth extending radially from it, and a stationary portion that has a plurality of bristles extending radially from it. The one or more teeth rotatively engage the plurality of bristles creating a tortuous path between them that resists a leakage of gas or fluid through them.

Abstract: A system for providing air from a multi-stage to a turbine includes a turbine having a high pressure input port and a low pressure input port. The system also includes a compressor having at least one high pressure extraction air output and at least one low pressure extraction air output. A valve is fluidly connected to the at least one high pressure extraction air output, at least one low pressure extraction air output and low pressure input port of the turbine. The valve is selectively operated to fluidly connect the at least one low pressure extraction air output with the low pressure input port during normal operating conditions and fluidly connect the at least one high pressure extraction air output and the low pressure input port during a turn down condition or below design temperature operation to enhance turbine engine performance.

Abstract: A system for providing compliant rotating seals including a rotating portion that has one or more teeth extending radially from it, and a stationary portion that has a plurality of bristles extending radially from it. The one or more teeth rotatively engage the plurality of bristles creating a tortuous path between them that resists a leakage of gas or fluid through them.

Abstract: A system for providing air from a multi-stage to a turbine includes a turbine having a high pressure input port and a low pressure input port. The system also includes a compressor having at least one high pressure extraction air output and at least one low pressure extraction air output. A valve is fluidly connected to the at least one high pressure extraction air output, at least one low pressure extraction air output and low pressure input port of the turbine. The valve is selectively operated to fluidly connect the at least one low pressure extraction air output with the low pressure input port during normal operating conditions and fluidly connect the at least one high pressure extraction air output and the low pressure input port during a turn down condition or below design temperature operation to enhance turbine engine performance.