Circumferentially Spaced Nozzle Or Stator Segments Patents (Class 415/139)
-
Publication number: 20110236184Abstract: An axial compressor for a gas turbine having passive radial gap control is provided. The axial compressor includes a guide vane support on which guide vanes are fastened so as to be arranged in a ring, wherein the vane tips of the guide vanes lie opposite a wall section. Thermal insulation is attached to the wall section in the section lying opposite the vane tips in order to equalize the expansion behavior of the guide vane support and the wall section, which by themselves react thermally in different manners, wherein the terminal insulation is matched in the heat input delay effect thereof to the wall section and to the guide vane support in such a way that the thermal expansion behavior of the guide vane support and the wall section is at least equalized over time during transient operation of the axial compressor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2009Publication date: September 29, 2011Inventors: Francois Benkler, Karl Klein, Torsten Matthias, Achim Schirrmacher, Oliver Schneider, Vadim Shevchenko
-
Patent number: 8021103Abstract: A pressure activated flow path seal for a steam turbine is disclosed. In one embodiment a gap closure component is located about a rotary component and the stationary component of the steam turbine. A pressure differential activates the gap closure component to seal or reduce the radial clearance of a steam leakage path between the rotary component and the stationary component.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2008Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Fred Thomas Willett, Jr.
-
Patent number: 8011879Abstract: A transition channel between a first turbine section and a second turbine section for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The channel includes a first radially external annular wall including ring sector elements housed inside an annular ring and orifices for injecting a fluid into the channel in order to re-energize the boundary layer thereof, a second radially internal annular wall, and a fluid supply device arranged between the space outside the ring and the injection orifices.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2007Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: SNECMAInventors: Jean-Michel Guimbard, Philippe Jean-Pierre Pabion, Eric Schwartz, Jean-Luc Soupizon
-
Patent number: 7997856Abstract: A stator heat shield (6) for a gas turbine (1) includes an outside (11) which in the installed state faces a hot gas path (9) of the gas turbine (1), and an inside (12) facing away from the outside (11). A plurality of ribs (13) are formed on the inside (12) and extend axially in the installed state with regard to an axis of rotation (8) of a rotor (3) of the gas turbine (1) and, in the circumferential direction, are spaced a distance apart from one another. At least one baffle plate (14) is arranged on the inside (12) and is in contact with the ribs (13). At least one groove (16) is designed in an end face (15) bordering the stator heat shield (6) in the circumferential direction, into which at least one sealing element (18) can be inserted. A plurality of bores (19) are included, each opening at a distance from the groove (16) in the direction of the outside (11) at the inside (12) at one end and on the end face (15) at the other end and arranged a distance apart from one another in the axial direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2009Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.Inventors: Alexander Khanin, Edouard Sloutski, Sergey Vorontsov, Anton Sumin
-
Patent number: 7967555Abstract: A process for casting a turbine engine component is provided. The process comprises the steps of placing a refractory core assembly comprising two intersecting plates in a die, encapsulating the refractory core assembly in a wax pattern having the form of the turbine engine component, forming a ceramic shell mold about the wax pattern, removing the wax pattern, and pouring molten material into the ceramic shell mold to form the turbine engine component.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2006Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Ronald R. Gagnon, Jr., John R. Farris, Eric A. Hudson
-
Publication number: 20110135450Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed herein in which a heat-transfer fluid can be directed through a gap defined between a fillet and a chamfer. The apparatus includes a first member having a body portion and a flange portion projecting from the body portion. The flange portion extends along an endless path encircling an axis to define a receiving aperture. A fillet is defined at a junction of the body portion and an inner surface of the flange portion. The apparatus also includes a second member having a plug portion receivable in the receiving aperture. The plug portion includes a first surface operable to abut the body portion and limit movement of the plug portion into the receiving aperture. The plug portion also includes a second surface slidably engageable with the inner surface of the flange portion to guide movement of the plug portion into the receiving aperture along the axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2009Publication date: June 9, 2011Inventor: MARK OWEN CASWELL
-
Patent number: 7922444Abstract: A shroud rail for retaining a feather seal in a vane shroud of a gas turbine engine comprises a slot for, receiving the feather seal, and a chamfer rail pocket for lightening the shroud rail. The slot traverses the vane shroud and includes a slot base extending from a leading edge to a trailing edge of the shroud rail, and a slot wall extending generally perpendicularly from the slot base. The chamfer rail pocket comprises a pocket wall extending along the slot wall, and a chamfer wall extending from the pocket wall at an angle oblique to the slot base.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2007Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventor: Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley
-
Patent number: 7887286Abstract: A sector of a compressor guide vanes assembly or a sector of a turbomachine nozzle assembly. It comprises an inner ring sector (4), an outer ring sector (6) and a multitude of blades (8) connecting the inner ring sector (4) to the outer ring sector (6). The outer ring sector (6) or the inner ring sector (4) comprises radial cuts (10) situated between two consecutive blades (8) in such a way as to split them into the same number of elementary sectors as there are blades. Housings (14) are provided, secant to the radial cuts (10), damping inserts (16) being positioned in said housings.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2007Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: SnecmaInventors: Olivier Abgrall, Laurent Gilles Dezouche, Francois Maurice Garcin, Jean-Pierre Francois Lombard
-
Patent number: 7857579Abstract: A sealing element for sealing a component gap with respect to a flow, in particular for use in a fluid-flow machine, specifically in a turbomachine is provided. In addition a fluid-flow machine is provided including such a sealing element for sealing a component gap. The sealing element includes a hollow profile enclosing a cavity. Arranged in the hollow profile are a first opening and a second opening, which are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the hollow profile. The first opening is formed as an inlet opening for a cooling fluid into the cavity of the hollow profile, the second opening is formed as an outlet opening for the cooling fluid from the cavity of the hollow profile. With the sealing element arranged in a fluid-flow machine, the sealing element can consequently be internally cooled by means of the cooling fluid. Furthermore, the sealing element uses the pressure gradient occurring in the flow in the direction of flow to form a stable cooling fluid flow.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2007Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.Inventors: Nicolas Johnson Campino, Jonas Hurter, Markus Stemann, Sergey Trifonov, Alexander Zagorskiy
-
Patent number: 7836702Abstract: An assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a combustor and a vane assembly disposed downstream thereof. A portion of an outer platform of the vane assembly defines an axial sliding joint connection with the combustor, and includes a plurality of depressions located in an outer circumferential surface thereof opposite the combustor. The depressions are disposed in regions of expected higher thermal growth about the circumference of the outer platform such that thermal growth of the entire outer platform is substantially uniform circumferentially therearound.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2006Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.Inventors: Nicolas Grivas, Bhawan B. Patel, Oleg Morenko, Eric Durocher
-
Patent number: 7805924Abstract: The present invention provides a mixer assembly including a mixer and a plurality of scoops attached around a circumference of the mixer element via a combination of sliding brackets and fixed brackets. The sliding brackets provide attachment and allow relative movement between the plurality of scoops and the mixer element while the fixed brackets provide only attachment between the mixer element and the plurality of scoops. The first sliding bracket includes a first flange that is fixedly mounted to the mixer element and a second flange that is biased against a surface of the scoop. A second sliding bracket is fixedly mounted to the mixer element and adjustably mounted to the scoop. The second sliding bracket includes an attachment hole and the scoop includes an adjustment slot. A fastener assembly including a spacer is received within the adjustment hole and the adjustment slot to allow relative movement between the mixer element and the scoop.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2006Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Adeyemi E. Alade, Paul W. Palmer
-
Patent number: 7798768Abstract: A turbine vane ID support system usable to support the ID of a turbine vane and including a transition seal system and a turbine vane ID forward rail seal system. The transition seal system may seal the turbine vane ID support body to a transition, and the turbine vane ID forward rail seal system may seal the turbine vane ID support body to a turbine vane. Use of the transition seal system and the turbine vane ID forward rail seal system eliminates the problems inherent with conventional seals used to seal transitions directly to turbine vanes. The turbine vane ID support system may also be configured such that the turbine vane ID support system may be removed to facilitate removal of turbine vanes and blades for repair or replacement.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2006Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventors: John Strain, Yevgeniy Shteyman, Robert W. Spitzer
-
Patent number: 7766609Abstract: A float wall heat shield for use on an endwall of a stator vane used in a gas turbine engine. The heat shield includes an attachment extending from a center of the heat shield to secure the shield to the vane. A plurality of ribs formed on the inside surface of the shield forms cooling channels extending in the streamwise direction. The leading edge of the shield curves downward over the leading edge of the endwall and forms a cooling air inlet. The trailing edge of the shield forms a cooling air exit extending in a straight direction to provide purge air for a rim cavity of an adjacent rotor blade assembly. The heat shield includes pressure and suction sides that conform to an outline of the airfoil of adjacent vanes, and forms cooling air exit gaps so that the cooling air passing through the channels can discharge to prevent inflow of the hot gas flow. The heat shield eliminates the need for film cooling holes.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2007Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.Inventor: George Liang
-
Patent number: 7762766Abstract: A support for the first row turbine vanes (12) in a gas turbine engine, the support including a support framework (18). The support framework (18) includes an outer vane carrier (34), and an inner vane carrier (36) connected to the outer vane carrier (34) by a plurality of struts (44, 46). The outer vane carrier (34) is mounted to an inner casing (16) of the engine and the struts (44, 46) support the inner vane carrier (36) in cantilevered relation to the outer vane carrier (34). An aft outer flange (94) of each first row vane (12) is supported on the outer vane carrier (34) and a forward inner flange (114) of the vane (12) is support on the inner vane carrier (36).Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2006Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventors: Yevgeniy Shteyman, John Strain, William R. Ryan, Robert W. Spitzer
-
Patent number: 7762087Abstract: A mid-turbine frame connected to at least one mount of a gas turbine engine transfers a first load from a first bearing and a second load from a second bearing to the mount. The mid-turbine frame includes a load transfer unit, a torque box rotatably positioned within the load transfer unit, and a plurality of struts. The load transfer unit has a first locking element and combines the first load and the second load into a combined load. The torque box has a second locking element that is engagable with the first locking element of the load transfer unit. The plurality of struts are connected between the torque box and the mount, and transfer the combined load from the torque box to the mount. The first locking element and the second locking element are at least one of a rib or a groove.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2006Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Nagendra Somanath, Keshava B. Kumar, William A. Sowa, Christopher Dye
-
Publication number: 20100080692Abstract: A fairing is disclosed, comprising a surface capable of bounding a fluid on the surface and a seal located at an edge portion on the fairing wherein the seal has at least one support flange and a contact face capable of engaging with an adjacent component to facilitate reducing a leakage of the fluid. A stator assembly is disclosed comprising a vane, a first fairing having a first seal and a second fairing having a second seal, wherein the first seal engages with an adjacent component to facilitate reducing leakage of a fluid in the stator assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2008Publication date: April 1, 2010Inventors: Courtney James Tudor, Scott Alan Garten, Eli B. Kalaani, Samir Mahendra Mehta, Steven Edward Dinser
-
Patent number: 7686577Abstract: A ceramic ring segment for a turbine engine that may be used as a replacement for one or more metal components. The ceramic ring segment may be formed from a plurality of ceramic plates, such as ceramic matrix composite plates, that are joined together using a strengthening mechanism to reinforce the ceramic plates while permitting the resulting ceramic article to be used as a replacement for components for turbine systems that are typically metal, thereby taking advantage of the properties provided by ceramic materials. The strengthening mechanism may include a ceramic matrix composite overwrap or plurality of overwraps designed to help prevent delamination of the ceramic plates when the ceramic article is in use by placing the plates in compression.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2006Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventors: Jay A. Morrison, David C. Radonovich, Anthony L. Schiavo, Gary B. Merrill, Malberto F. Gonzalez
-
Publication number: 20100074729Abstract: A stack of substantially parallel ceramic plates (22) separated and interconnected by ceramic spacers (26, 27) forming a seal structure (20) with a length (L), a width (W), and a thickness (T). The spacers are narrower in width than the plates, and may be laterally offset from spacers in adjacent rows to form a space (28) in a row that aligns with a spacer in another adjacent row. An adjacent plate bends into the space when the seal structure is compressed in thickness. The spacers may have gaps (60, 62) forming a stepped or labyrinthine cooling flow path (66) within the seal structure. The spacers of each row may vary in lateral separation, thus providing a range of compressibility that varies along the width of the seal structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2009Publication date: March 25, 2010Applicant: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.Inventors: Gary B. Merrill, Jay A. Morrison
-
Patent number: 7625174Abstract: A method for assembling a gas turbine engine is provided. The method comprises coupling a first turbine nozzle within the engine, coupling a second turbine nozzle circumferentially adjacent the first turbine nozzle such that a gap is defined between the first and second turbine nozzles and providing at least one spline seal including a substantially planar body. The method also comprises forming at least one catch to extend outward from the body portion of the at least one spline seal, and inserting the at least one spline seal into a slot defined in at least one of the first and second turbine nozzles to facilitate reducing leakage through said gap, such that a portion of the at least one spline seal is received within a recess defined within the turbine nozzle slot to facilitate retaining the at least one spline seal within the turbine nozzle slot.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2005Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Vincent Marion Drerup, Harold Ray Hansel, Ching-Pang Lee
-
Patent number: 7575415Abstract: A method for assembling a gas turbine engine is provided. The method comprises coupling a first turbine nozzle within the engine, coupling a second turbine nozzle circumferentially adjacent the first turbine nozzle such that a gap is defined between the first and second turbine nozzles and providing at least one spline seal including a substantially planar body. The method also comprises forming at least one retainer tab to extend outward from the body portion of the at least one spline seal, and inserting the at least one spline seal into a slot defined in at least one of the first and second turbine nozzles to facilitate reducing leakage through the gap, such that the at least one retainer tab facilitates retaining the retainer tab within the turbine nozzle slot.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2005Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Vincent Marion Drerup, Harold Ray Hansel, James Anthony Ketzer, Ching-Pang Lee
-
Patent number: 7562880Abstract: A seal usable between two thermally movable components to prevent fluids from mixing. For instance, the seal may be used to seal thermally movable components of a turbine engine that may include, but are not limited to, leading edge shrouds, isolation rings, ring segments, and vane segments. The seal may be formed from a body having a cross-section generally orthogonal to a longitudinal axis and include a first side, a second side generally opposite to the first side, a first end, and a second end generally opposite to the first end. A compliant material may be coupled to the first or second end, or both, and may absorb thermal expansion of the two thermally movable components. The seal may reduce leakage flow paths between the seal and the thermally movable components.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2004Date of Patent: July 21, 2009Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventors: Hubertus Edward Paprotna, David A. Little
-
Patent number: 7553128Abstract: A blade outer air seal (BOAS) has a body having an inner (ID) face and an outer (OD) face, first and second circumferential ends, and fore and aft longitudinal ends. The BOAS has one or more mounting hooks extending from the body. The OD face comprises a plurality of transversely elongate protuberances. The protuberances include rearwardly divergent first protuberances and forwardly divergent second protuberances.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2006Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: William Abdel-Messeh, Jesse R. Christophel
-
Patent number: 7527472Abstract: A conformal seal (20) for sealing air flow between a cooling airflow path and a hot gas flow path within a combustion turbine engine. The conformal seal (20) may be fitted within cooperating side slots of adjacent vane segments (10) within the combustion turbine engine. The conformal seal (20) may include an elongated metallic substrate (22, 40) forming an upper surface and a lower surface. A conformal coating (26, 44) may be deposited over one or both surfaces of the substrate (22, 40). The conformal coating (26, 44) may be deposited to a depth so that a point contact between the conformal coating (26, 44) and respective interior walls of the side slots wears the conformal coating (26, 44) to establish surface area contact there between. The surface area contact improves a sealing function between the conformal coating (26, 44) and the respective interior walls during operation of the combustion turbine engine.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2006Date of Patent: May 5, 2009Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventor: David B. Allen
-
Patent number: 7524163Abstract: A turbine nozzle guide vane 10 with passages 28 leading from a hollow core 32 to respective seal strip slots 20, to deliver cooling air to abutment faces 18 on each end of the vane 10.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2006Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Rolls-Royce plcInventors: Kevin P Self, Mark J Simms
-
Publication number: 20090016873Abstract: Systems involving feather seals are provided. A representative vane assembly for a gas turbine engine includes: a first mounting platform having a first slot; a first airfoil extending from the first mounting platform; and a feather seal having opposing faces, a first side extending between the faces, and a first tab, the first tab extending outwardly beyond the first side; the first slot being sized and shaped to receive the feather seal including the first tab.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2007Publication date: January 15, 2009Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORP.Inventors: Joseph W. Bridges, JR., Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley
-
Patent number: 7445425Abstract: A seal arrangement 32 between a turbine shroud seal segments 38,40 in a gas turbine engine. The arrangement 32 comprises facing slots 34, 36 provided respectively in the segments 38,40 with offset spaces 42, 44 provided between the segments 38,40. A strip 46 is cemented into the slot 36 such that the flow path 50 passes through the space 42, around the free end of the strip 46, and out through the offset space 44, thereby providing a longer flow path.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2005Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: Rolls-Royce plcInventors: Paul William Ferra, Timothy John Scanlon
-
Publication number: 20080159850Abstract: A blade outer air seal system includes a body that extends between two circumferential sides, a leading edge and a trailing edge, and a radially inner side and a radially outer side. An attachment section associated with the body and includes at least one engagement surface that is transverse to the radially outer side.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2007Publication date: July 3, 2008Inventors: Susan M. Tholen, Paul M. Lutjen
-
Patent number: 7338253Abstract: A sealing arrangement for the post impingement cavity of a stator shroud segment is provided that includes a resilient seal to reduce air leakage and improve turbine energy efficiency. The stator shroud segment includes an outer shroud having a leading edge groove and a trailing edge groove; and a plurality of inner shrouds, each having a leading edge hook and a trailing edge hook. The leading and trailing hooks of each of the inner shrouds are respectively engaged with the leading and trailing edge grooves of the outer shroud so as to connect the inner shroud to the outer shroud. The resilient shaped seal is located at a trailing edge of the respectively engaged inner and outer shrouds at an interface of the inner shroud and the outer shroud. In an example embodiment, a sealing groove is defined in the outer shroud for receiving the aft resilient seal.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2005Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Tagir Robert Nigmatulin
-
Publication number: 20070280820Abstract: A method facilitates the assembly of a turbine engine. The method includes providing a shroud support block having a forward end and an aft end, coupling a forward end of a shroud to the shroud support block using a forward fastener, and coupling an aft end of the shroud to the shroud support block using an aft fastener. The method also includes installing a locking pin through the aft fastener to retain the aft fastener, and staking the locking pin in the shroud support block, such that the locking pin is securely coupled to the shroud support block.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2006Publication date: December 6, 2007Inventors: Herbert Chidsey Roberts, Kevin Leon Bruce, Gerald Kent Blow, Ronald Ralph Cairo
-
Patent number: 7293957Abstract: A vane assembly for a gas turbine engine is disclosed having lower thermally induced stresses resulting in improved component durability. The stresses in the vane assembly airfoils are lowered by increasing the flexibility of the vane platform and reducing its resistance to thermal deflection. This is accomplished by placing an opening along the innermost vane assembly rail that reduces the effective stiffness of the platform, thereby lowering the operating stresses in the airfoils of the vane assembly. A removable seal is then placed in the opening in order to prevent undesired leakages, while maintaining the benefit of the increased platform flexibility.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2007Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: Power Systems Mfg., LLCInventors: Charlie Ellis, David Parker, J. Page Strohl, David Medrano
-
Patent number: 7238003Abstract: A simplified vane mounting arrangement by which a vane ring can be pre-assembled to an inner support ring before being installed in an outer casing.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2004Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.Inventors: Remy Synnott, Nicolas Grivas, Alan Juneau, David Glasspoole
-
Patent number: 7229245Abstract: A vane assembly for a gas turbine engine is disclosed having lower thermally induced stresses resulting in improved component durability. The stresses in the vane assembly airfoils are lowered by increasing the flexibility of the vane platform and reducing their resistance to thermal deflection. This is accomplished by placing an opening along the vane assembly rail that reduces the effective stiffness of the platform, thereby lowering the operating stresses in the airfoils of the vane assembly. A removable seal is then placed in the opening in order to prevent undesired leakages, while maintaining the benefit of the increased platform flexibility.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2004Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: Power Systems Mfg., LLCInventors: Charles A. Ellis, David Parker, J. Page Strohl, David Medrano
-
Patent number: 7217081Abstract: A seal for sealing a seal groove in a shroud of a turbine vane. The seal may include a cooling system configured to pass cooling fluids through a cooling fluid supply port in a shroud, through a cooling system in which the cooling fluids contact the shroud and the seal, and exhaust the fluids through a gap between adjacent turbine vanes. The seal may include an elongated cooling channel for channeling cooling fluids from a supply to an exhaust channel at a first end. The cooling system may remove heat from the turbine vane shroud, the seal, and other related components, thereby reducing the likelihood of premature failure.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2004Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.Inventors: Michael Scheurlen, Xubin E. Gu
-
Patent number: 7201559Abstract: A stationary ring assembly forming a rotor shroud for a gas turbine including a plurality of segments having adjacent side faces that are placed end to end with sealing means interposed therebetween. The sealing means include at least one axial sealing strip and at least one radial sealing strip respectively received in axial slots and in radial slots formed facing one another in the adjacent side faces of the segments. At least one end of each radial slot opens out into the corresponding axial slot, each axial slot of a segment presents a depth that is greater than the depth of the corresponding radial slot, and the axial sealing strip presents a width that is greater than the width of the radial strip.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2005Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: SnecmaInventors: Alain Gendraud, Delphine Roussin-Moynier
-
Patent number: 7189057Abstract: A turbine shroud segment attachment with a casing (1) and several shroud segments (2) arranged in the casing (1), wherein the individual shroud segments (2) are located in the casing (1) with a circumferential clearance (3) between the individual shroud segments (2), in that the clearance (3) is reduced to zero at a given temperature difference between the casing (1) and the shroud segments (2), and in that the shroud segments (2) are retained on the casing (1) by way of an elastically deformable locating arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2003Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deurschland Ltd & Co KGInventors: Stuart Lee, Harald Schiebold
-
Patent number: 7175387Abstract: A seal arrangement for reducing the seal gaps within a rotary flow machine, preferably an axial turbomachine, has rotor blades and guide vanes, which are respectively arranged in at least one rotor blade row and guide vane row and have respective blade/vane roots (2,3) which protrude into fastening contours within the rotor blade and guide vane rows. A sealing element (4) of plastically deformable material is provided between at least two adjacent blade/vane roots (2,3) along a rotor blade row or guide vane row or between a blade/vane root (2,3) of a rotor blade or guide vane and a rotary flow machine component directly adjoining the blade/vane root.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2004Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.Inventors: Erhard Kreis, Markus Oehl, Ulrich Rathmann
-
Patent number: 7172388Abstract: A spring seal for sealing a gap defined between first and second gas turbine engine components. The spring seal has a grasping portion for graspingly receiving a portion of the first component, and a spring loading portion adapted to extend between the first and second gas turbine engine components for spring loading the first and second gas turbine engine components relative to one another.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2004Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.Inventor: Remy Synnott
-
Patent number: 7168914Abstract: The gas turbine stationary blade comprises a stationary blade section provided therein with a passage for cooling air, an inner shroud for supporting the stationary blade section on the side of a discharge port of the cooling air, and a plurality of segments each of which includes at least one stationary blade section and at least one inner shroud. A flow passage is pulled out from the discharge port of the cooling air, and the flow passage is introduced to a front edge corner section of the inner shroud and is extended rearward along a side edge of the inner shroud.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2005Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Shigehiro Shiozaki, Masamitsu Kuwabara, Yasuoki Tomita
-
Patent number: 7160078Abstract: A mechanical arrangement for protection against catastrophic nozzle failures includes a turbine nozzle segment including an inner platform rail, a turbine nozzle inner support ring in part in axial registration with the rail on one side, an inner retainer segment secured to the inner support ring and in part in axially spaced registration relative to the rail on an axial side of the rail opposite from the support ring, a first inclined conical surface on the inner retainer segment, and a second inclined conical surface on the inner platform rail of the turbine nozzle, the second inclined conical surface opposing the first inclined conical surface, so as to bind the inner platform rail to the turbine nozzle between the inner retainer segment and the inner support ring, resulting in a wedge lock that prevents the inner platform from being lost downstream into rotating hardware of the turbine.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2004Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Walter Coign, David John Humanchuk, Leslie Tucker
-
Patent number: 7128522Abstract: A gas turbine engine expansion joint comprises first and second members having confronting faces defining a gap therebetween. At room temperature, the gap varies in accordance with the temperature distribution profile of the first and second members during normal engine operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2003Date of Patent: October 31, 2006Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.Inventor: Martin Jutras
-
Patent number: 7114920Abstract: Random air flow leakage between a shroud assembly and a stator vane assembly into the gas path of a gas turbine engine due to manufacturing tolerance stack-up is reduced by providing notches to inhibit interference caused by misalignment and/or mismatch of adjacent segments.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2004Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.Inventor: Remy Synnott
-
Patent number: 7101147Abstract: A sealing arrangement that can be employed to maintain a seal in any suitable pressure vessel including but not limited to a gas turbine engine. The sealing arrangement is forg sealing a leakage gap between at least two relatively moveable parts that are adjacent to each other in a flow path between a region of high fluid pressure and a region of low fluid pressure. The sealing arrangement comprises at least two resilient sealing strips, each strip having a portion formed along at least part of its width to locate in a groove provided along adjacent faces of the relatively moveable parts. The remaining portion of each of the sealing strips has a substantially flat surface which, in operation, abuts a corresponding flat surface of an adjacent sealing strip, thereby forming a seal.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2004Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLCInventor: Julian G. Balsdon
-
Patent number: 7063503Abstract: A cooled turbine shroud assembly includes a first cooling path and a second cooling path adapted to provide shroud impingement air at different pressures to enhance efficiency. The cooling air is preferably acquired from a common source of secondary air. In one aspect the assembly, a shroud support supports a shroud ring and the cooling paths are separated in part by a flexible seal.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2004Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.Inventor: David Meisels
-
Patent number: 7033138Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a ring segment of a gas turbine in which the temperature is maintained low, damage due to high temperature oxidation is prevented, and high temperature deformation is prevented.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2002Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Yasuoki Tomita, Osamu Isumi, Shinichi Inoue, Friedrich Soechting, Vincent Laurello, Hiroshige Matsuoka
-
Patent number: 7029228Abstract: A turbine nozzle includes, in an exemplary embodiment, an outer band portion, an inner band portion at least one nozzle vane extending between the inner band portion and the outer band portion, and at least one cooling channel extending axially at least partially through at least one of the outer band portion and the inner band portion. The at least one nozzle vane, the inner band portion, and the outer band portion define a flowpath for flowing hot gases of combustion. Each cooling channel includes at least one inlet with each inlet isolated from the flowing hot gases of combustion.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2003Date of Patent: April 18, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Sze Bun Brian Chan, John Ellington Greene, Linda Jean Farral
-
Patent number: 6997673Abstract: A turbine shroud assembly includes forward and aft hangers, an axisymmetric plenum assembly, ceramic shroud segments, ceramic spacers, and forward and aft rope seals. The plenum assembly supplies impingement cooling to the shroud and the hangers. The impingement cooling to the forward and aft hangers is controlled independently to improve blade tip clearance. The rope seals are radially inward from the hangers and reduce cooling flow leakage. The turbine shroud assembly can operate in a higher temperature environment using less cooling flow than the prior art.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2003Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.Inventors: Mark C. Morris, Steve H. Halfmann, Craig A. Wilson, Shawn J. Pollock, Carl A. Larson
-
Patent number: 6971844Abstract: Spline seals are provided in registering end faces of upper and lower diaphragm segments in a steam turbine at each of the horizontal joints. The diaphragm segments each include inner and outer semi-annular rings with circumferentially spaced partitions extending therebetween. The registering end faces of each of the inner and outer semi-annular rings of the segments are spanned by spline seals which may comprise a sheet metal plate, a sheet metal body having reversely-curved ends, a solid body having bulbous ends or a sheet metal plate covered by a metallic or ceramic woven cloth. Leakage paths, both in axial and radial directions, are minimized or precluded.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Steven Sebastian Burdgick
-
Patent number: 6918743Abstract: A static shroud for ducting an axial gas flow past an array of blades rotating about an axis, made of a sheet of metal bent to form a contiguous shroud body having a substantially uniform sheet thickness and a uniform axial profile, initiating with an upstream flange flowing into a tip clearance portion and terminating in a downstream flange.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2002Date of Patent: July 19, 2005Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Ccorp.Inventors: Eugene Gekht, Franco Di Paola
-
Patent number: 6910854Abstract: A vane cluster for a turbine engine compressor or turbine includes a shroud 12 with a nonlinear slot 26 extending therethrough to divide the shroud into thermally independent shroud segments 24. The slot is bordered by matching nonlinear surfaces 28 that are easy and inexpensive to produce with conventional wire EDM equipment. The nonlinear profile of the slots effectively resists fluid leakage.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2002Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventor: Frederick R. Joslin
-
Patent number: 6893215Abstract: The division wall is made up of a plurality of division wall sections forming a passage wall of high temperature gas which are connected in the direction of arrangement of blades to form a wall surface having a roughly circular cross section as a whole, a gas flow restricting structure for preventing high temperature gas from passing through a gap formed at a connecting portion between the division wall sections in the flow direction of the high temperature gas from the opening on the upstream side of the high temperature gas in the gap, or a gas flow restricting structure for preventing the high temperature gas from being embraced in the gap, for example, a sealing member formed into a prism having a T-shape cross section as a whole composed of a plane portion as a sealing portion and a projected portion for filling the gap is provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2001Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Masamitsu Kuwabara, Yoshiyuki Morii, Yasuoki Tomita, Shunsuke Torii, Shigehiro Shiozaki, Kotaro Ohshima, Tatsuaki Fujikawa, Ryotaro Magoshi, Shinichi Inoue