Abstract: A secondary flow, turbine cooling air system for the uniform cooling of high pressure turbine module components such as the turbine shroud, turbine blade tips, turbine nozzle, transion liner, and turbine bearing support housing in a recuperated gas turbine engine is provided. The secondary flow turbine cooling system provides uniform cooling air having a similar pressure and temperature in a recuperated gas turbine engine as the compressor discharge air of a non-recuperated gas turbine engine. A method for uniform cooling of high pressure turbine module components using the secondary flow turbine cooling air system is also provided.

Abstract: A turbine section of an engine that includes a shaft, a plurality of blades extending radially relative to the shaft, a bearing assembly, a flowpath housing, and a shroud is provided. The bearing assembly is mounted to the shaft adjacent to the plurality of blades. The flowpath housing is coupled to the bearing assembly and includes an inner cylinder, an outer cylinder, and a strut. The inner and outer cylinders each include a strut attachment point between which the strut is coupled, and the outer cylinder includes an outer surface. The shroud is disposed concentric to the outer cylinder and has an inner surface including a groove formed therein that is substantially aligned with the outer cylinder strut attachment point. The groove has a depth that provides and maintains a gap between the outer cylinder outer surface and the shroud inner surface when the flowpath housing is exposed to heat and the strut radially expands.

Abstract: A recuperator and turbine support adapter for securing a recuperator to a combustor case is provided. The recuperator and turbine support adapter comprises an outer strutted body, an inner strutted body and a thermal spring. The thermal spring allows for thermal expansion of the recuperator and turbine support adapter while alleviating any stress or fatigue damage to the adapter. Each of the outer strutted bodies further comprises an outer ring and an inner ring connected by a plurality of struts. The recuperator and turbine support adapter also provides a means of directing the flow of cold compressed air to the recuperator and the return of the recuperator heated air to the combustor/turbine module.