Abstract: A cooled shroud assembly includes an angled slot and a plurality of dilution jet openings. The shroud forward cavity is modified such that at least one recirculation zone is produced. The angled slot forces an axial change in momentum of the hot gas flow and increases radial and axial pressure variation attenuation. The cooled shroud assembly isolates the shroud structure and seals from the hot flow path and a cooling flow from the dilution jet openings dilutes the hot gas flow. A series of recirculation zones shields the shroud carrier and high pressure seals from the hot gas flow.

Abstract: Cooling air to the blades and disks of a gas turbine may be modulated to provide a variable turbine cooling flow. A bellows may be extended by providing a high pressure compressor discharge flow to an interior of the bellows. The bellows may be compressed when the interior of the bellows communicates with ambient pressure air. The extension/compression of the bellows moves an arm over orifices in a cooling air flow path. The pressure inside of the bellows is metered to move the arm over at least one orifice, thereby restricting cooling air flow when the engine is running at low power. The pressure inside of the bellows is metered to move the arm to uncover all of the slots to provide maximum cooling flow when the engine is running at high power. The resulting variable cooling flow system results in less need for cooling air at low powers, thus reducing engine fuel consumption.

Abstract: A robust multiple-walled, multi-pass, high cooling effectiveness cooled turbine vane or blade designed for ease of manufacturability, minimizes cooling flows on highly loaded turbine rotors. The inventive vane or blade design allows the turbine inlet temperature to increase over current technology levels while simultaneously reducing turbine cooling to low levels. The invention comprises a complex multi-wall cooling system, which meets the inherent conflict to maximize the flow area of the cooling passages while retaining the required section thickness to meet the structural requirements. Independent cooling circuits for the vane or blade's pressure and suction surfaces allow the cooling of the airfoil surfaces to be tailored to specific head load distributions (that is, the pressure surface circuit is an independent forward flowing serpentine while the suction surface is an independent rearward flowing serpentine).

Abstract: A method and apparatus to reduce the average and maximum temperatures to which the nozzles in the hot-section of gas-turbine engine are subjected is described. The method relates to the circumferential alignment of fuel nozzles and downstream turbine nozzles in a gas turbine engine. This situates the hot-streak emerging from each fuel nozzle in between the like-numbered turbine nozzle airfoils. The most severe operating condition for reducing the durability of nozzle airfoils is the one generating hot operating temperature conditions. By identifying the temperature profile passing through downstream nozzle airfoils, airfoils in static stages can be selectively spaced around the circumference of the ring attached to the casing of the gas turbine engine to avoid high temperature exposure to the airfoils. This method and apparatus mitigates the worst oxidation and thermo-mechanical fatigue damage in the airfoils by allowing the hot gas regions to pass through the path in between two adjacent airfoils.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to reduce the average and maximum temperatures to which the nozzles in the hot-section of gas-turbine engine are subjected is described. The method relates to the circumferential alignment of fuel nozzles and downstream turbine nozzles in a gas turbine engine. This situates the hot-streak emerging from each fuel nozzle in between the like-numbered turbine nozzle airfoils. The most severe operating condition for reducing the durability of nozzle airfoils is the one generating hot operating temperature conditions. By identifying the temperature profile passing through downstream nozzle airfoils, airfoils in static stages can be selectively spaced around the circumference of the ring attached to the casing of the gas turbine engine to avoid high temperature exposure to the airfoils. This method and apparatus mitigates the worst oxidation and thermo-mechanical fatigue damage in the airfoils by allowing the hot gas regions to pass through the path in between two adjacent airfoils.

Abstract: A supplemental air cooling system for use in gas turbine engines to inhibit the ingestion of hot flow path gases into circumferential locations of turbine disk cavities is provided. The supplemental air cooling is provided through a simple set of cooling air holes located on each side of the turbine nozzle airfoil trailing edges, and proximately placed to be below the turbine nozzle structural element flow discouragers. Turbine disk cavity cooling purge air entering the disk cavity through the cooling air holes produces dynamic pressure cooling air jets which force the incoming hot ingestion air to turn circumferentially and go back out in the flow path before it enters the turbine disk cavity. The result is a decrease in hot gas ingestion, a reduction in disk rotor and static structural metal temperatures, a reduction in the amount of required cooling air flow, and enhanced performance of the gas turbine engine by virtue of improved specific fuel consumption.

Abstract: A supplemental air cooling system for use in gas turbine engines to inhibit the ingestion of hot flow path gases into circumferential locations of turbine disk cavities is provided. The supplemental air cooling is provided through a simple set of cooling air holes located on each side of the turbine nozzle airfoil trailing edges, and proximately placed to be below the turbine nozzle structural element flow discouragers. Turbine disk cavity cooling purge air entering the disk cavity through the cooling air holes produces dynamic pressure cooling air jets which force the incoming hot ingestion air to turn circumferentially and go back out in the flow path before it enters the turbine disk cavity. The result is a decrease in hot gas ingestion, a reduction in disk rotor and static structural metal temperatures, a reduction in the amount of required cooling air flow, and enhanced performance of the gas turbine engine by virtue of improved specific fuel consumption.

Abstract: A method for making a bimetallic ring seal having a nickel core covered by a first layer of platinum having a inner dense portion and a second outer portion both of which plastically deform in the presence of a load. The method includes the step of applying a porous layer of platinum over the dense layer by electroless plating in a platinum bath comprising 0.8-1.2 gram/liter platinum as diammine dinitrite salt Pt(NH3)2(NO2)2, 50-100 milliliter/liter of 25% ammonium hydroxide NH4OH; and 0.3-1.5 gram/liter hydrazine hydrate N2H4—H2O, at a temperature in the range of 75-90° C. and at a plating rate in the range of 0.5-3.0 micron/hour and then plastically deforming the ring seal under load.

Abstract: A gas turbine vane or blade having a novel internal structure that allows for cooling under diverse pressure ratios. The vane has an air inlet passage that communicates with an inner cooling cavity positioned between the air passage and the vane's trailing edge. Disposed within this cavity are deflectors, turning members, ribs, and deflecting pins arranged so as to direct the cooling air through the cavity in a manner that minimizes pressure loss. Thus maintaining the velocity and flow of the cooling air.