Abstract: A stator stage (10) of a turbine engine includes a circumferential row of flow directing structures (12), each including: an inner endwall (14) and an outer endwall (16) spaced apart radially, and a pressure sidewall (18) and a suction sidewall (20) extending radially between the inner endwall (14) and the outer endwall (16) and spaced apart circumferentially. The inner and outer endwalls (14, 16) and the pressure and suction sidewalls (18, 20) define therewithin a duct (22) for directing flow of a hot gas. Circumferentially adjacent flow directing structures (12a, 12b) mate along a respective split-line (24) extending along an interface between the pressure sidewall (18) of a first flow directing structure (12a) and the suction sidewall (20) of a second circumferentially adjacent flow directing structure (12b).

Abstract: A rotor stage (10) of a turbine engine includes a circumferential row of rotor segments (12), each including: first and second endwalls (14, 16) spaced apart radially, and a first and second sidewalls (18, 20) extending radially between the first and second endwalls (14, 16) and spaced apart circumferentially. The first and second endwalls (14, 16) and the first and second sidewalls (18, 20) define therewithin a flow passage (22) for hot gas. Circumferentially adjacent segments (12a, 12b) mate along a respective split-line (24) extending along an interface between the first sidewall (18) of a first segment (12a) and the second sidewall (20) of a second circumferentially adjacent segment (12b). A composite airfoil structure (26) is thereby defined having a pressure sidewall (18) formed by the first sidewall (18) of the segment (12a) and a suction sidewall (20) formed by the second sidewall (20) of the second segment (12b).

Abstract: An airfoil (10) includes at least one internal cooling channel (A-F) extending in the radial direction and adjoined on opposite sides by an airfoil pressure sidewall (16) and an airfoil suction sidewall (18). An internal surface (16a) of the airfoil pressure sidewall (16) and an internal surface (18a) of the airfoil suction sidewall (18) define heat transfer surfaces in relation to a coolant flowing through the internal cooling channel (A-F). A flow splitter feature (90) is located in a flow path of the coolant in the internal cooling channel (A-F) between the pressure and suction sidewalls (16, 18). The flow splitter feature (90) is effective to create a flow separation region downstream of the flow splitter feature (90), whereby coolant flow velocity is locally increased along the internal surfaces (16a, 18a) of the pressure and suction sidewalls (16, 18).

Abstract: A turbine airfoil (10) includes a flow displacement element (26) occupying a space between a pair of adjacent partition walls (24) in an interior portion (11) of a generally hollow airfoil body (12). The flow displacement element (26) includes an elongated main body (28) extending lengthwise in a radial direction and a pair of connector ribs (32, 34) respectively connecting the main body (28) to pressure and suction sides (16, 18) of the airfoil (10). A pair of adjacent radial flow passes (43-44, 45-46) of symmetrically opposed flow cross-sections are defined on chordally opposite sides of the flow displacement element (26). The radial flow passes (43-44, 45-46) conduct cooling fluid in opposite radial directions and are connected in series via a chordal passage (50a, 50c) defined in the interior portion (11) between the flow displacement element (26) and a radial end face (52) of the airfoil body (12), to form a serpentine cooling path (60a, 60b).

Abstract: Clevis-type pin attachment mounts for ceramic-matric-composite (CMC) blades (50) accommodate varying thermal expansion rates between ceramic blades and the mating engine rotor disc (46). A two-dimensional array of apertures (124, 126, 128, and 130) the CMC blade shank (70) receives of rows of load-carrying pins (132, 134, 136, and 138). Tensile loads applied to the pin and aperture array are distributed within the blade shank, so that applied tensile load stress is split between successive rows of apertures and pins, so that each row of apertures carries its own tensile load plus aggregate tensile load of all other rows of apertures that are closer to the blade tip. Axial gaps (GA) between tips of load-carrying pins and partial-depth apertures in clevis attachment pieces (100, 102) provide compressive loading on the blade shank (70).

Abstract: An airfoil (10) includes at least one internal cooling channel (A-F) extending in the radial direction and adjoined on opposite sides by an airfoil pressure sidewall (16) and an airfoil suction sidewall (18). An internal surface (16a) of the airfoil pressure sidewall (16) and an internal surface (18a) of the airfoil suction sidewall (18) define heat transfer surfaces in relation to a coolant flowing through the internal cooling channel (A-F). A flow splitter feature (90) is located in a flow path of the coolant in the internal cooling channel (A-F) between the pressure and suction sidewalls (16, 18). The flow splitter feature (90) is effective to create a flow separation region downstream of the flow splitter feature (90), whereby coolant flow velocity is locally increased along the internal surfaces (16a, 18a) of the pressure and suction sidewalls (16, 18).

Abstract: Composite metallic-ceramic construction blades for gas turbine engine compressor or turbine sections. A ceramic splice component, such as a squealer or other blade tip, or leading edge, mechanically interlocks with a metallic blade body, including a superalloy blade body. Respective interlocking mechanical joint portions of the ceramic splice component and metallic blade body are subsequently held in an interlocked position by a separately applied and independent metallic retainer member. Methods for manufacture of such composite blades are also useful for repair or retrofitting of non-composite, metallic blades.

Abstract: Methods for manufacture of composite construction blades (30) for gas turbine engine compressor or turbine sections. A splice component (42), such as a squealer or other blade tip (40), or leading edge (184), or repair splice mechanically interlocks with a metallic blade body (38), including a superalloy blade body. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 the respective interlocking mechanical joints ramped, opposed surfaces (44, 46, and 56) are subsequently held in an interlocked position by a separately formed and applied, independent metallic retainer member (50). The retainer member (50) is external the mechanical joint portion ramped, opposed surfaces (44, 46 and 56) and is formed by a sequential-layer material addition, additive manufacturing method. The methods are also useful for repair or retrofitting of non-composite, metallic blades end caps, leading edges, or other damaged structure.

Abstract: A turbine airfoil (10) includes a flow displacement element (26) occupying a space between a pair of adjacent partition walls (24) in an interior portion (11) of a generally hollow airfoil body (12). The flow displacement element (26) includes an elongated main body (28) extending lengthwise in a radial direction and a pair of connector ribs (32, 34) respectively connecting the main body (28) to pressure and suction sides (16, 18) of the airfoil (10). A pair of adjacent radial flow passes (43-44, 45-46) of symmetrically opposed flow cross-sections are defined on chordally opposite sides of the flow displacement element (26). The radial flow passes (43-44, 45-46) conduct cooling fluid in opposite radial directions and are connected in series via a chordal passage (50a, 50c) defined in the interior portion (11) between the flow displacement element (26) and a radial end face (52) of the airfoil body (12), to form a serpentine cooling path (60a, 60b).

Abstract: A shell air recirculation system for use in a gas turbine engine includes one or more outlet ports located at a bottom wall section of an engine casing wall and one or more inlet ports located at a top wall section of the engine casing wall. The system further includes a piping system that provides fluid communication between the outlet port(s) and the inlet port(s), a blower for extracting air from a combustor shell through the outlet port(s) and for conveying the extracted air to the inlet port(s), and a valve system for selectively allowing and preventing air from passing through the piping system. The system operates during less than full load operation of the engine to circulate air within the combustor shell but is not operational during full load operation of the engine.

Abstract: A turbine engine heating system configured to heat 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 heating system may include a heating air extraction system configured to withdraw air from the turbine engine and to pass that air thru a heating element configured to increase a temperature of the air supplied by the heating air extraction system. The air may then be passed to a heating air supply system via an air movement device. The heating air supply system may be in communication with a turbine cylinder cavity of the turbine engine positioned radially outward from at least one turbine assembly. The heated air may be passed into the turbine cylinder cavity to reduce the cooling rate of the turbine vane carriers after shutdown and before a warm restart to limit tip rubbing.

Abstract: A turbine engine shutdown temperature control system configured to limit thermal gradients from being created within an outer casing surrounding a turbine blade assembly during shutdown of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. By reducing thermal gradients caused by hot air buoyancy within the mid-region cavities in the outer casing, arched and sway-back bending of the outer casing is prevented, thereby reducing the likelihood of blade tip rub, and potential blade damage, during a warm restart of the gas turbine engine. The turbine engine shutdown temperature control system may operate during the shutdown process where the rotor is still powered by combustion gases or during turning gear system operation after shutdown of the gas turbine engine, or both, to allow the outer casing to uniformly, from top to bottom, cool down.

Abstract: During full load operation of gas turbine engine operation, a valve system is maintained in a closed position to substantially prevent air from passing through a piping system of a shell air recirculation system. Upon initiation of a turn down operation, which is implemented to transition the engine to a turning gear state or a shut down state, the valve system is opened to allow air to pass through the piping system. A blower is operated to extract air through at least one outlet port of the shell air recirculation system from an interior volume of an engine casing portion associated with the combustion section, to convey the extracted air through the piping system, and to inject the air into the interior volume of the engine casing portion through at least one inlet port of the shell air recirculation system to circulate air within the engine casing portion.

Abstract: A shell air recirculation system for use in a gas turbine engine includes one or more outlet ports located at a bottom wall section of an engine casing wall and one or more inlet ports located at a top wall section of the engine casing wall. The system further includes a piping system that provides fluid communication between the outlet port(s) and the inlet port(s), a blower for extracting air from a combustor shell through the outlet port(s) and for conveying the extracted air to the inlet port(s), and a valve system for selectively allowing and preventing air from passing through the piping system. The system operates during less than full load operation of the engine to circulate air within the combustor shell but is not operational during full load operation of the engine.

Abstract: During full load operation of gas turbine engine operation, a valve system is maintained in a closed position to substantially prevent air from passing through a piping system of a shell air recirculation system. Upon initiation of a turn down operation, which is implemented to transition the engine to a turning gear state or a shut down state, the valve system is opened to allow air to pass through the piping system. A blower is operated to extract air through at least one outlet port of the shell air recirculation system from an interior volume of an engine casing portion associated with the combustion section, to convey the extracted air through the piping system, and to inject the air into the interior volume of the engine casing portion through at least one inlet port of the shell air recirculation system to circulate air within the engine casing portion.