Abstract: A power generation system (10). Stationary and rotatable blades (34, 37) are positioned about a rotor (8) to receive exhaust gas (46) from a combustor (6) and to impart an axial velocity component. A section of ductwork (48) is positioned to receive the exhaust gas and has a central transition portion (80t) into which the rotor extends. A spiral portion (80s) of the ductwork comprises a helically shaped flow section (80) extending outwardly from the central portion to provide a helical section of the flow path to carry the exhaust gas away from the central portion. A portion of the flow path along the helically shaped flow section may have an area in cross section which increases as a function of position along the flow path. The spiral portion is positioned to redirect the exhaust in a direction orthogonal to the rotor.

Abstract: A turbine airfoil usable in a turbine engine and having at least one cooling system with an efficient trip strip is disclosed At least a portion of the cooling system may include one or more cooling channels having one or more trip strips protruding from an inner surface forming the cooling channel. The trip strip may have improved operating characteristics including enhanced heat transfer capabilities and a substantial reduction in pressure drop typically associated with conventional trip strips In at least one embodiment, the trip strip may have a cross-sectional area with a first section of an upstream surface of the trip strip being positioned nonparallel and nonorthogonal to a surface forming the cooling system channel extending upstream from the at least one trip strip and a concave shaped downstream surface of the at least one trip strip that enables separated flow to reattach to the cooling fluid flow.

Abstract: An arrangement to control vibrations in a gas turbine exhaust diffuser is provided. The arrangement includes a protrusion coupled to a turbine exhaust cylinder strut for controlling shock induced oscillations in a gas turbine diffuser. The controlled shock induced oscillations minimize pressure fluctuations in the gas turbine exhaust diffuser such that an unsteadiness of the fluid flow surrounding the turbine exhaust cylinder strut is reduced. A method to fluid flow induced vibrations in a gas turbine diffuser is also provided.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine can-annular combustion arrangement (10), including: an axial compressor (82) operable to rotate in a rotation direction (60); a diffuser (100, 110) configured to receive compressed air (16) from the axial compressor; a plenum (22) configured to receive the compressed air from the diffuser; a plurality of combustor cans (12) each having a combustor inlet (38) in fluid communication with the plenum, wherein each combustor can is tangentially oriented so that a respective combustor inlet is circumferentially offset from a respective combustor outlet in a direction opposite the rotation direction; and an airflow guiding arrangement (80) configured to impart circumferential motion to the compressed air in the plenum in the direction opposite the rotation direction.

Abstract: An arrangement to minimize vibrations in a gas turbine exhaust diffuser is provided. The arrangement includes a projection coupled to an inner cylindrical surface or the outer cylindrical surface of a fluid flow path of the gas turbine exhaust diffuser. The projection minimizes pressure oscillations in the gas turbine exhaust diffuser such that an unsteadiness of the fluid flow surrounding the second tangential strut is reduced. A method to minimize pressure oscillations in a gas turbine diffuser is also provided.

Abstract: A turbine engine temperature control system configured to limit thermal gradients from being created within an outer casing surrounding a turbine airfoil assembly during shutdown of a gas turbine engine and for preheating an engine during a cold startup 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. The turbine engine temperature control system may also be used for cold startup conditions to heat engine components such that gaps between turbine airfoil tips and adjacent blade rings can be made larger from thermal expansion, thereby reducing the risk of damage. The turbine engine temperature control system may operate during turning gear system operation after shutdown of the gas turbine engine or during a cold startup.

Abstract: A compressor inlet manifold for directing air from a radial airflow inlet into an axial compressor inlet of a compressor of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The compressor inlet manifold provides air flow to the compressor with reduced distortion to the compressor which enables the required design surge margin to be reduced, thereby increasing gas turbine engine efficiency. The improved air flow has reduced distortion, turbulence and unsteadiness. The compressor inlet manifold body may have at least one annular opening extending axially downstream from an upstream wall. Air flow into the compressor inlet manifold may be conditioned with one or more of a flow improvement projection extending radially inward relative to other aspects of a compressor inlet outer wall, a conically shaped inner sidewall, and a baffle positioned at an acute angle relative to an axis aligned with a radially inward air flow.

Abstract: A cooling system is provided for a transition (420) of a gas turbine engine (410). The cooling system includes a cowling (460) configured to receive an air flow (111) from an outlet of a compressor section of the gas turbine engine (410). The cowling (460) is positioned adjacent to a region of the transition (420) to cool the transition region upon circulation of the air flow within the cowling (460). The cooling system further includes a manifold (121) to directly couple the air flow (111) from the compressor section outlet to an inlet (462) of the cowling (460). The cowling (460) is configured to circulate the air flow (111) within an interior space (426) of the cowling (460) that extends radially outward from an inner diameter (423) of the cowling to an outer diameter (424) of the cowling at an outer surface.

Abstract: A can-annular gas turbine engine combustion arrangement (10), including: a combustor can (12) comprising a combustor inlet (38) and a combustor outlet circumferentially and axially offset from the combustor inlet; an outer casing (24) defining a plenum (22) in which the combustor can is disposed; and baffles (70) configured to divide the plenum into radial sectors (72) and configured to inhibit circumferential motion of compressed air (16) within the plenum.

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 turbine airfoil usable in a turbine engine and having at least one cooling system with an efficient trip strip is disclosed At least a portion of the cooling system may include one or more cooling channels having one or more trip strips protruding from an inner surface forming the cooling channel. The trip strip may have improved operating characteristics including enhanced heat transfer capabilities and a substantial reduction in pressure drop typically associated with conventional trip strips In at least one embodiment, the trip strip may have a cross-sectional area with a first section of an upstream surface of the trip strip being positioned nonparallel and nonorthogonal to a surface forming the cooling system channel extending upstream from the at least one trip strip and a concave shaped downstream surface of the at least one trip strip that enables separated flow to reattach to the cooling fluid flow.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine can-annular combustion arrangement (10), including: an axial compressor (82) operable to rotate in a rotation direction (60); a diffuser (100, 110) configured to receive compressed air (16) from the axial compressor; a plenum (22) configured to receive the compressed air from the diffuser; a plurality of combustor cans (12) each having a combustor inlet (38) in fluid communication with the plenum, wherein each combustor can is tangentially oriented so that a respective combustor inlet is circumferentially offset from a respective combustor outlet in a direction opposite the rotation direction; and an airflow guiding arrangement (80) configured to impart circumferential motion to the compressed air in the plenum in the direction opposite the rotation direction.

Abstract: A can-annular gas turbine engine combustion arrangement (10), including: a combustor can (12) comprising a combustor inlet (38) and a combustor outlet circumferentially and axially offset from the combustor inlet; an outer casing (24) defining a plenum (22) in which the combustor can is disposed; and baffles (70) configured to divide the plenum into radial sectors (72) and configured to inhibit circumferential motion of compressed air (16) within the plenum.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine compressor has a compressor case comprising spaced apart inner and outer walls. An axial rotor is positioned within the outer wall. A bearing structure supports the axial rotor for rotation. A plurality of inlet guide vanes are coupled to the outer wall of the compressor case and radially extend inwardly, wherein each of at least a sub-set of said inlet guide vanes comprises a radial bore. Nested tie rods are received within a respective one of the inlet guide vane radial bores. Each tie rod comprises an outward end attached to the compressor case outer wall and an inward end attached to the compressor case inner wall.

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 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 temperature control system configured to limit thermal gradients from being created within an outer casing surrounding a turbine airfoil assembly during shutdown of a gas turbine engine and for preheating an engine during a cold startup 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. The turbine engine temperature control system may also be used for cold startup conditions to heat engine components such that gaps between turbine airfoil tips and adjacent blade rings can be made larger from thermal expansion, thereby reducing the risk of damage. The turbine engine temperature control system may operate during turning gear system operation after shutdown of the gas turbine engine or during a cold startup.

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 compressor inlet manifold for directing air from a radial airflow inlet into an axial compressor inlet of a compressor of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The compressor inlet manifold provides air flow to the compressor with reduced distortion to the compressor which enables the required design surge margin to be reduced, thereby increasing gas turbine engine efficiency. The improved air flow has reduced distortion, turbulence and unsteadiness. The compressor inlet manifold body may have at least one annular opening extending axially downstream from an upstream wall. Air flow into the compressor inlet manifold may be conditioned with one or more of a flow improvement projection extending radially inward relative to other aspects of a compressor inlet outer wall, a conically shaped inner sidewall, and a baffle positioned at an acute angle relative to an axis aligned with a radially inward air flow.

Abstract: A midframe portion (113) of a gas turbine engine (110) is provided, including a compressor section (112) with a last stage blade (124). The compressor section (112) is configured to introduce a radial velocity component into an air flow (111) such that the air flow is discharged from the compressor section (112) at a mixed direction based on a combined longitudinal velocity component and radial velocity component. The midframe portion (113) further includes a manifold (121) to directly couple the air flow from an outlet of the compressor section (112) to an inlet of a respective combustor head (118) of the gas turbine engine (110).