Having Specific Vane Mounting Means Patents (Class 415/209.3)
  • Publication number: 20090022580
    Abstract: A vane ring assembly which includes a lower vane ring (23), an upper vane ring (31), one or more guide vanes (80) positioned at least partially between the vane rings, and a plurality of spacers (49, 50 or 59) positioned between the lower and upper vane rings (23, 31) for maintaining a distance between the lower and upper vane rings, the vane ring assembly being retained in a turbine housing (102) by a retaining ring (400) which is located in a groove (510) in the turbine housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Dwayne Hall
  • Publication number: 20090004000
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a turbomachine stator forming a stator vane ring or upstream guide vane element comprising a plurality of vanes placed radially between a first inner ring and a second outer ring, the two rings being concentric, the second ring having a cylindrical outer surface portion. The stator is characterized in that, on said outer surface portion, at least one vibration-damping laminate is attached, the laminate comprising at least one layer of viscoelastic material in contact with said surface portion and one counterlayer of rigid material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventors: Stephane Jean Joseph BAUMHAUER, Jerome Alain Dupeux, Francois Maurice Garcin, Jean-Pierre Francois Lombard
  • Patent number: 7458772
    Abstract: A guide vane ring of a turbomachine, in particular of an axial-throughflow turbine, includes a vane group (6) having a plurality of vanes (2). The vane group (6) has a vane root (11) which has two flanges (12, 13). The vane group (6) is fastened to a vane carrier by means of the flanges (12, 13). In order to reduce stresses in the vanes (2) which occur during deformations of the vane carrier, one flange (13) has on a front end portion (14) and on a rear end portion (15), radially on the inside and radially on the outside, in each case a contact zone (18) which bears against the vane carrier. The other flange (12) has on one end portion (15), radially on the inside, a contact zone (18) which bears against the vane carrier, and is spaced apart from the vane carrier radially on the outside. Moreover, this flange (12) has on the other end portion (14), radially on the outside, a contact zone (18) which bears against the vane carrier, and is spaced apart from the vane carrier radially on the inside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Bruno Benedetti, Andreas Boegli, Christopher Hulme, James Ritchie, Patrick Wolfgang Schnedler
  • Publication number: 20080260529
    Abstract: A steam turbine includes a turbine casing, a turbine rotor disposed in the turbine casing, a plurality of turbine stages, a cylinder substantially coaxial with the turbine casing, and a fixing partition plate having an outer edge fixed to the turbine casing and an inner edge fixed to an outer circumferential portion of the cylinder. In a turbine nozzle support holder of such the steam turbine, the turbine stages each includes turbine movable blades disposed circumferentially around the turbine rotor and turbine nozzles paired with the turbine movable blades and disposed upstream of the turbine movable blades. The turbine nozzles of the turbine stages are arranged inside the cylinder in an axial direction and are engaged with and fixed to the cylinder. The fixing partition plate is disposed downstream of the center of the cylinder in the axial direction to separate an upstream atmosphere and a downstream atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kawakami
  • Patent number: 7427187
    Abstract: A steam turbine nozzle singlet having a blade or airfoil between inner and outer sidewalls is provided. The sidewalls include steps or flanges which are received in complementary recesses in the rings enabling axially short low heat input welds e.g., e-beam welds. These complementary steps and recesses mechanically interlock the singlet between the rings preventing displacement of the singlet in the event of weld failure. The low heat input welds minimize or eliminate distortion of the nozzle flow path. Additional features on the singlets, provide a datum for milling machines to form singlets of different sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Steven Sebastian Burdgick, Thomas William Crall, Thomas Patrick Russo
  • Publication number: 20080213091
    Abstract: A steam turbine (10), especially in the form of a double-flow low-pressure steam turbine, includes a rotor (11) which is rotatably mounted around an axis (21) and which is concentrically enclosed with a spacing by an inner casing (13), forming annular steam passages (28, 29), and which has a multiplicity of rotor blades (12) which project into the steam passages (28, 29), wherein the inner casing (13) supports a multiplicity of stator blades (12) which project into the steam passages (28, 29) and which, for feeding steam to the steam passages (28, 29), has an inlet duct (15) which is directed around the axis (21) and tapers in the flow cross section. With such a steam turbine, the production is simplified by the inner casing (13) being formed as a welded construction, in which blade carriers (14), which delimit the steam passages (28, 29) and are produced as cast parts, are welded to additional forged or rolled steel elements (20) for fastening the stator blades (12?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Heinrich Lageder, Lucjan Lukasik, Ralf Greim, Thomas Schreier, Michael Fischer
  • Publication number: 20080209726
    Abstract: An undersize repair region of a gas turbine engine stationary shroud is repaired with a sufficient mass of a repair material. The repair region includes a protruding portion that is undersized, and the repair includes machining of the protruding portion, grooving the resulting rub surface, inserting a replacement element, applying a brazing repair material, and brazing the article to form a repaired article. The repair material preferably includes a first fraction of a first powder of a first alloy component, and a second fraction of a second powder of a second alloy component. The first alloy component and the second alloy component have different solidus temperatures. The repair material is placed in the repair region. The repair material and the repair region are heated to melt the repair material but not the repair region, and thereafter the repair material and the repair region are cooled to solidify the repair material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: John Matthew Powers
  • Patent number: 7419352
    Abstract: A method for assembling a gas turbine engine is provided. The method includes providing a turbine nozzle including an outer band and an inner band, wherein each band includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a body extending therebetween. At least one of the outer band and the inner band has at least one radial tab extending outward therefrom. The method also includes coupling at least one seal between at least one of the radial tabs extending from the outer band and the inner band and a respective leading edge of the outer and inner band. The method also includes positioning at least one non-planar seal support against at least one portion of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joseph M. Guentert, Ching-Pang Lee
  • Publication number: 20080199312
    Abstract: A guide vane arrangement of a turbomachine includes a casing, at least one guide vane carrier connected to the casing and having a first carrying portion and a second carrying portion spaced apart axially from the first carrying portion, a plurality of guide vanes connected to the guide vane carrier and arranged next to each other in a circumferential direction, and at least one securing element connected to the guide vane carrier and configured to provide an axial fixing of at least one of the guide vanes. Each guide vane has a platform including a first locking portion and a second locking portion spaced apart axially from the first locking portion, wherein each of the first and second locking portions and the respective first and second carrying portion are adapted to provide an axially pluggable and a radially positive fastening between the guide vane carrier and the respective guide vane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Alexander Chekanov, Alexander Khanin
  • Publication number: 20080193290
    Abstract: Embodiments for a compressor stator vane assembly in a gas turbine engine are disclosed. In an embodiment of the present invention a stator vane assembly is provided having a plurality of vanes each with an attachment and channels machined into the forward and aft walls of the attachment. A forward hook ring segment is pressfit into the channel in the forward wall of the attachment and an aft hook ring is pressfit into the channel in the aft wall of the attachment. The hook ring segments join a plurality of vanes together so as to provide a uniform engagement of mounting slots in the compressor case. Such an arrangement increases the contact area between the hook rings and the compressor case such that damping of individual vane vibrations are improved and operating stresses are reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: Power Systems Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: James G. Brackett, Charles Ellis, Michael Davis McGhee, J. Page Strohl
  • Patent number: 7396206
    Abstract: A gas turbine has at least one guide blade ring, whose guide vanes are axially and radially fixed via detachable locking elements. A shell ring is configured as a freely machinable component having projections bearing a stop surface and mating surfaces. A holding piece is provided for each guide vane, which engages into corresponding recesses on an upstream shell ring. The holding pieces are held in a position determined by the locking elements, via spring clips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Humhauser
  • Patent number: 7393179
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for permitting free rotation of turbine nozzle vanes, while minimizing or eliminating leakage on the vane side-walls. The device incorporates a plurality of nozzle vanes arranged around the circumference of a radial or mixed inflow turbine. Each of the nozzles is individually attached to a rod positioned perpendicular to the flow direction. The nozzle rods in the circumferential array protrude through a movable annular back-wall, and are rotated by a linkage or gear. Between discrete movements of the vane mechanism, a bellows device is used to provide pressure-actuated force in the movable back-wall, thereby clamping the nozzle between the two surfaces. Prior to rotating the nozzles, pressure within the bellows interior is decreased via venting to cause a retraction of the back wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Brayton Energy, LLC
    Inventors: James B. Kesseli, Ward H. Robinson, Antoine H. Corbeil
  • Publication number: 20080148737
    Abstract: A turbine static structure having reduced leakage air is disclosed. A static structure turbine support ring having few segments is disclosed in which the segments have improved thermal expansion capability with reduced air leakage. A plurality of radially extending slots are placed in the segments to reduce stiffness. In order to minimize air leakage through the support ring, generally circumferential slots are placed in the ring and connect with the generally radially extending slots. Positioned in each of the generally radially extending slots and generally circumferential slots, and in contact with each other, are two sheet metal plates. The plates are staked to the support ring structure so as to provide a seal member, yet compensate for thermal growth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Power Systems Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Charlie Ellis, J. Page Strohl, Matt Thomas
  • Publication number: 20080145206
    Abstract: A system for passively controlling a variable position guide vane in a turbo-machine. The system includes a shaft rotatable about an axis with an airfoil connected thereto. The shaft is biased toward a closed position, but will open in response to fluid flowing through a flowpath. The guide vane can then be locked in an open position at a desired operating condition of the turbo-machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventor: Kerry Jon Lighty
  • Publication number: 20080141531
    Abstract: A method of assembling a stator apparatus includes providing a first vane having an airfoil section located between a first platform section and a second platform section, positioning a first shroud ring adjacent to the first vane, welding the first platform section of the first vane to the first shroud ring relative to a first edge of the of the first platform section of the first vane, and welding the first platform section of the first vane to the first shroud ring relative to a second edge of the of the first platform section. The second edge is located opposite the first edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jose Paulino, Mark Rogers, Charles H. Warner, Steven D. Jenkel, Kurt R. Heinemann, Steven R. Chabot, Chester D. Blackman, Paul S. Bean
  • Publication number: 20080145218
    Abstract: A method of assembling a turbine includes positioning a turbine nozzle against a forward inner nozzle support extending from a rotor assembly, and coupling a cover to the forward inner nozzle support. The method also includes inserting a tab that extends from the cover within at least one aperture defined in the turbine nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: John Alan Manteiga, Clive Andrew Morgan, John Christopher Brauer, Todd Stephen Heffron
  • Publication number: 20080131267
    Abstract: There is provided a turbocharger with a variable nozzle assembly having a plurality of cambered vanes positioned annularly around a turbine wheel, each vane (20) being pivotable around a pivot point (Pp) and being configured to have a leading edge (Ple) and a trailing edge (Pte) connected by an outer airfoil surface (2) and an inner airfoil surface (4), said outer airfoil surface (2) being substantially convex and said inner airfoil surface (4) having a convex section at the leading edge (Ple) which has a local extreme (Pex) of curvature and transitions into a concave section towards the trailing edge (Pte). The positions of the pivot point (Pp) and the local extreme (Pex) are set such that, even when the vanes are placed in a closed position, the exhaust gas stream exercises a positive torque on the vanes which tends to open the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Philippe Renaud, Denis Tisserant
  • Publication number: 20080112805
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of free turbines mounted on a gas turbine engine. It provides a fastener device for fastening a free turbine stator on a gas generator casing that shares a common axis with the turbine stator, the fastener device comprising a flange carrying a plurality of assembly parts providing a first releasable connection between the turbine stator and the gas generator casing, the flange providing first centering of the turbine stator on the casing. The fastener device further comprises a second releasable connection between the turbine stator and the gas generator casing that is axially offset from the flange towards the gas generator and that provides second centering of the turbine stator on the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventors: Michel Gilbert Roland Brault, Francois Gallet
  • Publication number: 20080112804
    Abstract: A ceramic matrix composite nozzle assembly. The ceramic matrix composite nozzle assembly may include a ceramic matrix composite vane, a number of metallic components positioned about the ceramic matrix composite vane, and a number of metallic seals positioned between the ceramic matrix composite vane and one or more of the metallic components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nitin Bhate, Thomas Allen Wells, Ian Francis Prentice, John Greene
  • Publication number: 20080101927
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: John Strain, Yevgeniy Shteyman, Robert W. Sptizer
  • Patent number: 7344355
    Abstract: A variable stator vane assembly 10 where two downwardly inclined engagement faces 30 are provided on the top of the stator vane upper stem 14, extending for part of the width thereof. A pair of projections 36 with inwardly inclined surfaces 38 are provided on the underside of the lever arm 16. The surfaces 38 are only engageable with the faces 30 in one axial alignment, and otherwise the lever arm 16 will be raised relative to the stator vane 12 to clearly indicate incorrect mounting thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Johnathan Harvey Wilshaw
  • Publication number: 20080063520
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine rotor stack includes one or more longitudinally outwardly concave spacers. Outboard surfaces of the spacers may be in close facing proximity to inboard tips of vane airfoils. The airfoils have dihedral and sweep.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: P. William Baumann, Om Parkash Sharma, Charles R. LeJambre, Sanjay S. Hingorani
  • Publication number: 20080063522
    Abstract: A support element 22 is fitted between adjacent vanes 8, 14 in a gas turbine engine, in order to suppress vibrations in the vanes 8, 14. The support element 22 comprises a body portion 24 and pad portions 38, 40 which contact the vanes 8, 14 over a wide area to restrain displacement of the vanes 8, 14 while minimising overstressing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Duncan E. Ashley
  • Publication number: 20080063521
    Abstract: A method for repairing or replacing a mechanically retained vane is provided. The method comprises the steps of forming an oversized cavity in an outer base, inserting a flared end of a vane in the oversized cavity, and inserting a wedge for mechanically retaining the flared end of the vane in the oversized cavity. The wedge has a first surface with a constant pitch angle to match the outer base cavity and a second surface with a variable pitch angle to match the vane tip dovetail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: William Bogue, Bruce A. McCollum
  • Publication number: 20080019836
    Abstract: A damping arrangement for guide vanes, in particular for guide vanes of a gas turbine or an aircraft engine, is disclosed. Referring to this damping arrangement, the radially external ends of the guide vanes of a guide vane grid or a guide vane ring are mounted to a housing. The radially internal ends of the guide vanes form an inner shroud. At least one seal bearing is mounted to the inner shroud of the guide vanes. At least one spring element is installed between the inner shroud of the guide vanes and the, or each, seal bearing. The, or each, spring element is configured as a leaf spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventors: Carsten Butz, Werner Humhauser, Patrick Wackers, Walter Waschka, Moritz Wirth
  • Publication number: 20070297900
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventors: Olivier ABGRALL, Laurent Gilles DEZOUCHE, Francois Maurice GARCIN, Jean-Pierre Francois LOMBARD
  • Patent number: 7306428
    Abstract: A gas turbine with several shroud segments (1) which enclose rotor blades (3) of a turbine wheel (5) as a seal, with the shroud segments (1) having at least a front and a rear attachment at the radially outward area of stator vane segments (7, 12), and with each of the stator vane segments (7, 12) being located at their radially inner area on a control ring (9, 10), wherein the stator vane segments (7, 12) are located on the control ring (9, 10) in a radially adjustable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventors: Harald Schiebold, Olaf Mistareck, Thomas Wunderlich
  • Patent number: 7303371
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas turbine. The aim of the invention is to provide an axial sealing between a vane ring and a moving blade ring, which has an excellent sealing effect, is easy to install and inexpensive to produce. For this purpose, a sealing element is used that extends across at least a fourth of the hot gas channel circumference. Preferably, said sealing element extends across approximately half the circumference and is inserted in grooves of the vane support and the vane platforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Iris Oltmanns, legal representative, Peter Tiemann, legally incapacitated
  • Patent number: 7300246
    Abstract: A unitary component for retaining a vane ring in a gas turbine engine comprises a retaining plate portion to restrain axial vane movement, a retaining ring portion to restrain circumferential vane movement, and a baffle portion to split a cooling air flow between the vane and an adjacent rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Eric Durocher, John Walter Pietrobon
  • Patent number: 7290983
    Abstract: A turbine and a method for dismantling a blade of a turbine. A turbine includes a rotor that extends in an axial direction and an accessible combustion chamber, which communicates with an annular hot-gas conduit, in which a plurality of blades that form a blade row is arranged. Each blade has a blade root that is fixed to the internal housing and a blade head that lies opposite the root and faces the rotor, the head being fixed to a fixing ring of the turbine that encircles the rotor. To reduce the down time of a turbine during repair, inspection and/or maintenance work, the blade root and/or the blade head can be fixed by means of a manually detachable clamping device. The clamping device is released from the blade and locked in a parking position beyond a displacement path used for removing the blade through the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter Tiemann
  • Patent number: 7290982
    Abstract: The distributor sectors (25) of a turbomachine are secured adjacent to a casing (31) with sealing sectors (32) alternating with them in the axial direction. The distributor sectors (25) are provided with force resistant faces (37; 39) through which forces exerted on the distributor sectors are transmitted to the casing. The inner surface of the casing (31) is smoother and is not fitted with any hooks; consequently, this casing (31) is less complicated to make and is less mechanically stressed to retain the 10 distributor sectors, and the distributor sectors may be installed by a purely axial movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Snecma Moteurs
    Inventors: Patrick J. Girard, Sebastien A. Imbourg, Philippe J. Pabion, Jean-Luc Soupizon
  • Patent number: 7258525
    Abstract: An arrangement for detachably fixing a guide blade segment that forms part of a transition channel of an aircraft gas turbine comprises high-pressure and low-pressure turbines. The arrangement has a groove-hook-type connection in the front area of the outer platform of the guide blade segment for its radial fixation and at least one pin that penetrates the hook-groove-type connection for securing it against rotation of the guide blade segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventor: Alexander Boeck
  • Patent number: 7249462
    Abstract: The gas turbine comprises an annular combustion chamber having inner and outer walls made of ceramic matrix composite material, and a high pressure turbine nozzle secured to a downstream end of the combustion chamber and comprising a plurality of stationary airfoils extending between the inner and outer walls of an annular flow path through the nozzle for the gas stream coming from the combustion chamber. The turbine nozzle is made of ceramic matrix composite material and it is connected to the downstream end of the combustion chamber by brazing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Snecma
    Inventors: Caroline Aumont, Eric Conete, Mario De Sousa, Didier Hernandez, Georges Habarou
  • Patent number: 7246995
    Abstract: A seal usable to seal a transition in a can-annular combustion system of a turbine engine to a turbine vane assembly to direct exhaust gases through the turbine vane assembly. The seal may be formed from an elongated body extending along an outer edge of the transition and having first and second edges. The first edge of the seal may be attached to the transition, and the elongated body may extend away from the transition edge and contact a portion of the turbine vane assembly. The elongated body may flex during use without yielding or otherwise deforming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventor: James Michael Zborovsky
  • Patent number: 7223066
    Abstract: A variable vane arrangement (36) for a compressor (26) of a gas turbine engine (10) comprises a plurality of circumferentially arranged vanes (38), a plurality of operating levers (64) and a control ring (66). Each vane (38) is pivotally mounted to a casing (30) of the compressor (26). Each operating lever (64) is pivotally mounted at a first end (68) to the control ring (66) and is mounted at second end (70) to a respective one of the vanes (38). The second end (70) of each operating lever (64) comprises a multi-sided aperture (72) and each vane (38) has a multi-sided spindle (60) which locates in the multi-sided aperture (72) of the respective operating lever (64). Each operating lever (64) has a drive member (74) located in the multi-sided aperture (72) and around the multi-sided spindle (60) of the respective vane (38). Each drive member (74) engages the respective multi-sided aperture (72) and the respective multi-sided spindle (60) to transmit drive from the operating lever (64) to the vane (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Christopher I Rockley
  • Patent number: 7210901
    Abstract: The retaining hooks (32) of a flange (22) of straightening sectors (20), bearing fixed blades in a turbomachine, are advantageously placed on an end plate (30) distinct from the casing (21) but assembled on the latter. In this way, these hooks no longer constitute weak points in the casing, as if they were all in one piece with it, assembly of the sectors (20) is facilitated, and the assembly is more rigid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Snecma Moteurs
    Inventors: Sebastien Imbourg, Philippe Pabion, Jean-Luc Soupizon
  • Patent number: 7201563
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying floors and carpets using a louvered grille with a shrouded floor drying fan for generating a pressurized air stream within a vertical cylindrical shroud that is spaced two to five inches away from the floor on a set of legs such that an opening is formed between the shroud and the floor. The air stream is directed along the cylindrical shroud vertically toward the floor. By means of the louvered grille at least a peripheral portion of the air stream is exhausted from the shroud in a substantially laminar flow at an angle that is inclined from the vertical and the air stream is exhausted radially into ambient air as a substantially laminar air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Studebaker Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy Studebaker
  • Patent number: 7195453
    Abstract: A stator blade segment for a compressor includes an inner ring segment and an outer ring segment and a plurality of stator blades extending radially between the inner and outer ring segments, the stator blade secured to the outer ring at a shank portion of the blade and loosely held in a slot in the inner ring segment at a tip portion of the blade, the slot formed to substantially match a cross-sectional profile of the tip portion of the blade but sized to create a clearance between the tip portion and the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nicholas Francis Martin, John David Memmer, Ronald Stuart Denmark
  • Patent number: 7179052
    Abstract: A nozzle diaphragm assembly includes a diaphragm outer ring having a groove opened toward an inner diameter side to be continuous in an inner peripheral direction; a diaphragm inner ring having a groove opened toward an outer diameter side to be continuous in an outer peripheral direction; and a nozzle blade having a diaphragm outer ring insertion portion on one end and a diaphragm inner ring insertion portion on the other end, in which the groove opened toward the inner diameter side of the diaphragm outer ring and the diaphragm outer ring insertion portion are shaped to be fitted to each other, and in which the groove opened toward the outer diameter side of the diaphragm inner ring and the diaphragm inner ring insertion portion are shaped to be fitted to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takashi Sasaki, Yuji Nakama, Kenichi Imai
  • Patent number: 7144218
    Abstract: An anti-rotation lock for preventing circumferential movement of a stator segment in relation to a split case to which it is mounted is disclosed. A racetrack shaped pocket, disposed within the case and proximate the stator segment, is suitably sized to receive a lug and a spring pin. The lug is received in the pocket and protrudes radially inward from the case and is engagable by the stator segment, thus preventing circumferential movement with respect to the case. The spring pin is received adjacent to the lug and compressively retains the lug in the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: David P. Dube, Richard K. Hayford
  • Patent number: 7140835
    Abstract: A turbine nozzle includes a hollow vane joined to opposite inner and outer bands. The inner band includes a forward lip under the leading edge of the vane, an aft lip under the trailing edge of the vane, and a mounting flange spaced therebetween. An impingement bore extends obliquely and aft from the base of the mounting flange under a corner of the inner band toward the aft lip for impingement cooling thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ching-Pang Lee, Baolan Shi, Wenfeng Lu, Joseph Michael Guentert, Steven Robert Brassfield
  • Patent number: 7121789
    Abstract: An arrangement 22 for mounting a non-rotating component 28 of a gas turbine engine 10, defining a portion of a gas path of the gas turbine engine 10 comprising: a non-rotating component 28 having an opening 23 to a receptacle 25; and a fastener 30 for retaining the non-rotating component 28, comprising a neck portion 34 and a head portion 32, wherein the neck portion 34 of the fastener 30 extends through the opening 23 in the non-rotating component 28 and the head portion 32 is retained, at least partially, within the receptacle 25.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: William Richards
  • Patent number: 7114920
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Remy Synnott
  • Patent number: 7112042
    Abstract: A turbine nozzle support structure supports a ceramic turbine nozzle provided with a flange and disposed at the inlet of a turbine on a nozzle support. Force-multiplying mechanism presses the flange of the turbine nozzle against a nozzle support to support the turbine nozzle on the nozzle support. The force-multiplying mechanisms includes a pressing member having a spring holding part, a fulcrum part and a pressing part, a spring for applying resilient force to the spring holding part, and a fulcrum supporting member having a bearing part for supporting the fulcrum part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuo Tatsumi, Yoshihiro Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 7101150
    Abstract: A vane assembly for a gas turbine is described wherein the vane assembly comprises a first vane and a second vane connected together by a plurality of flanges, at least one fastener, and at least one spring plate. The fastener and hole diameters in the respective flanges are sized such that the first vane and second vane are essentially pinned together along their inner flanges and allowed to adjust due to thermal growth along their outer flanges, while maintaining a constant seal along both inner and outer platform edges. The thermal growth along the outer flanges is made possible by oversized flange holes relative to the diameter of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Power Systems MFG, LLC
    Inventors: Gary Bash, J. Page Strohl
  • Patent number: 7094026
    Abstract: Arcuate seal layers conforming with one another are disposed between inner retainer segments and inner rails of nozzle segments of a gas turbine. The layers are secured to the aft axial face of the segments and project radially outwardly to seal against the forward axial faces of the rails. The rear axial faces of the rails have chordal seals for sealing against the forward axial faces of the support rings. The seal layers have radial cuts misaligned with one another in an axial direction to preclude leakage flows through gaps formed by the cuts. Arcuate spacers are staggered circumferentially with the arcuate retainer segments whereby an intermediate pressure plenum is formed between the finger seals and chordal seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Walter Coign, David John Humanchuk, Gregory Thomas Foster, Kevin Lee Worley
  • Patent number: 7094025
    Abstract: Nozzle segments are secured to a retention ring against circumferential rotation by anti-rotation pins extending generally axially between the outer bands of the nozzle segments and the retention ring. Retention plate segments overlie the ends of the pins, preventing axial removal thereof. To remove a selected nozzle segment, inner diameter retention plate segments and selected retention plate segments are removed, the latter exposing the ends of the pins for axial withdrawal. Upon removal of a predetermined number of pins, the nozzle segments adjacent the selected segment are displaced away from the latter segment to open a gap between the selected segment and adjacent segments whereby the selected segment can be removed in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brian Peter Arness, John Ellington Greene, Linda Jean Farral, Sze Bun Brian Chan
  • Patent number: 7086831
    Abstract: A vane mounting arrangement 21, 31 is provided in which a vane 22, 32 is secured through a mounting end 23, 33 within an aperture 25, 35 formed in a mounting platform 24, 34. An expandable or expansive member 26, 36 is located between the mounting end 33 and the aperture 35 in order to create compressive engagement between the mounting end 33 and the aperture 25, 35 of the platform 24, 34. The member 26, 36 is hollow with a fluid within a cavity 27, 37 in order to create the desired pressurised location by selective expansion. Thus, the assembly 21, 31 through the expandable members 26, 36 achieves a seal along with vibration decoupling and appropriate presentation of the vane 22, 32 relative to the platform 24, 34.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Cedric B Harper
  • Patent number: 7070387
    Abstract: A housing including an outer casing provided with bearer hooks for stator rings and sealing rings. The hooks are discontinuous angularly and joined to a casing by tenon and mortise assemblies. The hooks and the casing may therefore be made in different materials, the hook material having good resistance to heating and the other material lending itself better to machining and forming. Ventilation, clearance piloting and heat protection are facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Snecma Moteurs
    Inventors: Francois Crozet, Daniel Didier, Christian Ducrocq, Sebastien Imbourg, Laurent Palmisano, Jean-Marc Rongvaux, Andrë Verbrugge
  • Patent number: RE39479
    Abstract: A turbine nozzle includes a plurality of vanes joined at opposite ends to outer and inner bands. The inner band has a forward hook which is segmented to reduce thermal mismatch. And, in additional embodiments the vane includes an impingement baffle having preferential cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Judd Dodge Tressler, Glenn H. Nichols