Abstract: A rotary machine, such as a turbomachine of a gas turbine engine, for example, including a rotor and a rotor seal assembly. The rotor is rotatable about a rotational axis and has a rotor seal face. The rotor seal assembly includes a seal body, one or more primary fluid conduits formed in the seal body, and a retraction assembly. The seal body has a seal face and is positionable to form a fluid-bearing gap between the seal face of the seal body and the rotor seal face. The one or more primary fluid conduits are fluidly connected to the fluid-bearing gap to supply a fluid to the fluid-bearing gap. The retraction assembly is connected to the seal body to move the seal body in a retraction direction away from the rotor seal face.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gas turbine engine defining a radial direction, a circumferential direction, an axial centerline along a longitudinal direction, and wherein the gas turbine engine defines an upstream end and a downstream end along the longitudinal direction. The gas turbine engine includes a first turbine rotor comprising an inner shroud, an outer shroud outward of the inner shroud in the radial direction, at least one connecting airfoil coupling the inner shroud and the outer shroud at least partially along the radial direction, and an outer band outward of the outer shroud in the radial direction and extended at least partially in the circumferential direction, and a plurality of connecting members couples the outer shroud and the outer band.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gas turbine engine defining a radial direction, a circumferential direction, an axial centerline along a longitudinal direction, and wherein the gas turbine engine defines an upstream end and a downstream end along the longitudinal direction, and wherein the gas turbine engine defines a core flowpath extended generally along the longitudinal direction. The gas turbine engine includes a turbine frame defined around the axial centerline, the turbine frame comprising a first bearing surface disposed inward along the radial direction. The gas turbine engine further includes a turbine rotor assembly including a bearing assembly coupled to the first bearing surface of the turbine frame and the turbine rotor assembly. The turbine rotor assembly further includes a first turbine rotor disposed upstream of the turbine frame and a second turbine rotor disposed downstream of the turbine frame.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gas turbine engine defining a radial direction, a circumferential direction, an axial centerline along a longitudinal direction, and wherein the gas turbine engine defines an upstream end and a downstream end along the longitudinal direction, and wherein the gas turbine engine defines a core flowpath extended generally along the longitudinal direction. The gas turbine engine includes a turbine frame defined around the axial centerline, the turbine frame comprising a first bearing surface disposed inward along the radial direction. The gas turbine engine further includes a turbine rotor assembly including a bearing assembly coupled to the first bearing surface of the turbine frame and the turbine rotor assembly. The turbine rotor assembly further includes a first turbine rotor disposed upstream of the turbine frame and a second turbine rotor disposed downstream of the turbine frame.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gas turbine engine defining a radial direction, a circumferential direction, an axial centerline along a longitudinal direction, and wherein the gas turbine engine defines an upstream end and a downstream end along the longitudinal direction. The gas turbine engine includes a first turbine rotor comprising an inner shroud, an outer shroud outward of the inner shroud in the radial direction, at least one connecting airfoil coupling the inner shroud and the outer shroud at least partially along the radial direction, and an outer band outward of the outer shroud in the radial direction and extended at least partially in the circumferential direction, and a plurality of connecting members couples the outer shroud and the outer band.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing dynamic loading of a gas turbine engine is provided. The gas turbine engine includes a rotor shaft assembly including a rotor shaft, a bearing assembly, a mounting race, and a support frame, the mounting race including a spherical surface. The method includes supporting the rotor shaft on the gas turbine engine support frame with the bearing assembly, the rotor shaft including a yield portion configured to permit bending of the rotor shaft during an imbalance operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing dynamic loading of a gas turbine engine is provided. The gas turbine engine includes a rotor shaft assembly including a rotor shaft, a bearing assembly, a mounting race, and a support frame, the mounting race including a spherical surface. The method includes supporting the rotor shaft on the gas turbine engine support frame with the bearing assembly, the rotor shaft including a yield portion configured to permit bending of the rotor shaft during an imbalance operation.

Abstract: A plurality of rotors are individually measured for determining relative eccentricity between forward and aft annular mounting ends thereof. The measured rotor eccentricities are stacked analytically to minimize eccentricity from a centerline axis. The rotors are then assembled axially end-to-end to correspond with the stacked measured eccentricities thereof.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for connecting the aft end of an air duct to the compressor rear shaft in a gas turbine engine includes a retaining ring disposed in the central bore of the compressor rear shaft. The retaining ring has a first set of tabs extending axially therefrom, and the air duct has a second set of tabs extending axially from its aft end. The aft end of the air duct is disposed in the bore and positioned relative to the retaining ring so that the first set of tabs intermeshes with the second set of tabs.

Abstract: A balancing assembly for a gas turbine hollow drive shaft is disclosed. The balance assembly includes an expandable balance weight carrier and a device for expanding the carrier inside the hollow drive shaft. In a preferred embodiment the carrier comprises a split ring with a plurality of apertures at which balance weights can be received. Combinations of balance weights can be located around the carrier ring to establish an imbalance correction on the carrier. The carrier can then be positioned inside the shaft and expanded against the shaft with the imbalance correction directed opposite the shaft imbalance.

Abstract: A rotor disk assembly includes rotor disks and structural spacer arms adapted to transmit axial loads and bending moments between adjacent disks. The spacer arms include cooling fins for convective cooling of the spacer arms. The spacer arm is preferably a self supporting wheel structure. The cooling fins are preferably circumferentially continuous and extend radially into a relatively cooler rotor bore cavity in which the disk hubs are supported. The cooling fins can be positioned on the spacer arms to reduce thermal distortion of the spacer arms, and thereby reduce bending stresses transmitted to the disks. The spacer arm includes a body section adjacent a relatively higher temperature seal cavity, which can be purged by cooling air from the relatively lower temperature rotor bore cavity.

Abstract: A circumferential element discourages the flow of hot gases exiting from a labyrinth or other type of seal in a gas turbine engine. This seal exit flow discourager may be integrally incorporated in the honeycombed seal surface of a labyrinth seal or in the ring supporting the honeycombed seal surface. The seal exit flow discourager has a generally radial surface upon which impinges the jet of hot gases exiting from the labyrinth seal. This surface prevents the exiting hot gases from impinging directly on the low-pressure turbine shaft. At the same time low-temperature air from the compressor is flowing through an annular passageway located between the labyrinth seal and the low-pressure turbine shaft. The seal exit flow discourager diverts the hot gases exiting from the labyrinth seal into the stream of cooling air, thereby causing turbulent mixing of the hot gases and cool air.

Abstract: A balancing assembly for a gas turbine hollow drive shaft is disclosed. The balance assembly includes an expandable balance weight carrier and means for expanding the carrier inside the hollow drive shaft. In a preferred embodiment the carrier comprises a split ring with a plurality of apertures at which balance weights can be received. Combinations of balance weights can be located around the carrier ring to establish an imbalance correction on the carrier. The carrier can then be positioned inside the shaft and expanded against the shaft with the imbalance correction directed opposite the shaft imbalance.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine having an outer annular turbine rotor, which is counterrotatable relative to an inner annular turbine rotor, includes attachment structure for attaching turbine blades in circumferential rows to the inner rotor. The attachment structure includes first and second male members of hook-like configurations spaced axially along and circumferentially extending about the rotor, and first and second grooves defined by flanges attached to the rotor and axially spaced along and circumferentially extending about the rotor. The grooves open in a common axial direction for receiving in mated relation respectively and concurrently the hook-like configured first and second male members. The attachment structure also includes several different locking arrangements for locking the male members in mated relation with the grooves to thereby restrain the turbine blade against radial and axial movements relative to the rotor.