Vane Fixed Between Radially Separate Surfaces Patents (Class 415/209.4)
  • Patent number: 11814973
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture to provide damping of an airfoil are disclosed. An example airfoil is disposed in a flow path, the airfoil including a shell defining an exterior surface of the airfoil and forming a cavity in an interior surface of the airfoil, and a lattice damper disposed in the cavity, the lattice damper to reduce vibrational loads exerted on the airfoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Li Zheng, Changjie Sun, Nicholas J. Kray
  • Patent number: 11725535
    Abstract: A vane assembly for a gas turbine engine is disclosed in this paper. The vane assembly includes an inner platform, an outer platform, and a ceramic-containing airfoil. The ceramic-containing airfoil extends between the inner platform and the outer platform. A reinforcement spar extends between the inner platform and the outer platform through a hollow core of the ceramic-containing airfoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Ted J. Freeman, Bruce E. Varney, David J. Thomas, Jeffrey A. Walston
  • Patent number: 11608747
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed. A split shroud for an inner shroud of a gas turbine engine includes: at least one forward shroud segment and at least one aft shroud segment to couple to the at least one forward shroud segment, the at least one forward shroud segment and the at least one aft shroud segment forming a split line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ravindra Shankar Ganiger, Sam J. Stoughton, Kevin Lee Kirkeng, Jacob P. Miller, Reddi Hari Prasad Reddy Mylapalli, Paul Trimby, Jaeyong Kim
  • Patent number: 11572796
    Abstract: A multi-material vane includes an airfoil extending longitudinally between a leading edge and a trailing edge. The airfoil extends spanwise between an inner end and an outer end. The airfoil extends laterally between a first side and a second side. The airfoil includes a base section, a first side section, a second side section and a sheath. The base section extends along the span line between the inner end and the outer end. The base section is laterally between the first side section and the second side section. The first side section is connected to the base section and partially forms the first side of the airfoil. The second side section is connected to the base section and partially forms the second side of the airfoil. The sheath at least partially forming an edge of the airfoil. The edge is the leading edge or the trailing edge of the airfoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Arun K. Theertham, Andrew Pope
  • Patent number: 11384652
    Abstract: A steam turbine includes a casing which is dividable and of which both ends are open, and a bundle accommodated in the casing. The bundle includes a rotor, a plurality of diaphragms which can be divided, a bundle casing to which the diaphragm is fixed inside thereof, and a bearing portion fixed to an inside of the bundle casing on an outside of the diaphragm, and a seal portion fixed to the inside of the bundle casing between the diaphragm and the bearing portion. The bundle casing can be attached and detached to and from the casing in a state of holding the rotor, the diaphragm, the bearing portion, and the seal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES COMPRESSOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuichi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 11286799
    Abstract: Flow path assemblies for gas turbine engines are provided. For example, a flow path assembly comprises an inner wall; a unitary outer wall; and a plurality of nozzle airfoils having an inner end radially opposite an outer end. The unitary outer wall defines a plurality of outer pockets each configured for receipt of the outer end of one of the nozzle airfoils, and the inner wall includes defines a plurality of inner pockets each configured for receipt of the inner end of one of the plurality of nozzle airfoils. A portion of each inner pocket is defined by a forward inner wall segment and an aft inner wall segment. In another embodiment, a flow path assembly comprises an inner wall defining a plurality of bayonet slots that each receive a bayonet included with each of a plurality of nozzle airfoils that are integral with a unitary outer wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jason David Shapiro, Donald Brett Desander, Edward Charles Vickers
  • Patent number: 11261748
    Abstract: An airfoil vane assembly includes a vane piece defining a first vane platform, a second vane platform, and a hollow airfoil section joining the first vane platform and the second vane platform. The first vane platform defines a collar projection therefrom. A spar piece defines a spar platform and a spar extends from the spar platform into the hollow airfoil section. The spar platform includes a radial opening defined by first and second axial faces. The radial opening is configured to receive the collar projection, and a groove in the first axial face. A seal is situated in the groove. The seal seals against the collar projection and a biasing member is configured to bias the seal towards the collar projection. A method of assembling a vane is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert White, III
  • Patent number: 11248705
    Abstract: A flexible seal is used to seal between two adjacent gas turbine components. The flexible seal includes at least one metal ply having a forward end, an aft end axially separated from the forward end, and an intermediate portion between the forward end and the aft end. The intermediate portion defines a continuous curve in the circumferential direction, such that the aft end is circumferentially, and optionally radially, offset from the forward end. A plurality of relief cuts is defined through the at least one metal ply between the forward end and the aft end to increase flexibility and improve sealing in seal slots that are radially offset from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Neelesh Nandkumar Sarawate, Christopher Walter Falcone
  • Patent number: 11156127
    Abstract: The invention relates to a positioning element for a guide vane arrangement of a guide vane stage of a gas turbine, with at least one base section curved in the peripheral direction; a plurality of uptake openings arranged next to each other in the peripheral direction on the base section, whose aperture axis runs substantially in the radial direction and which are designed to take up a respective radially inner guide vane section; a coupling section provided on the base section, which is or can be coupled to a seal carrier of a seal arrangement. According to the invention, it is proposed that at least one recess is provided in the base section, which is arranged between two neighboring uptake openings and runs from inside to outside at least in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines AG
    Inventors: Lothar Albers, Alexander Boeck
  • Patent number: 11047248
    Abstract: A flexible seal for sealing between two adjacent gas turbine components includes a forward end, an aft end axially separated from the forward end, and an intermediate portion between the forward end and the aft end. The intermediate portion defines a continuous curve in the circumferential direction, such that the aft end is circumferentially offset from the forward end. In other cases, the forward and aft ends are axially, radially, and circumferentially offset from one another. A method of sealing using the flexible seal includes inserting, in an axial direction, the aft end of the flexible seal into a recess defined by respective seal slots of two adjacent gas turbine components; and pushing the flexible seal in an axial direction through the recess until the forward end is disposed within the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Neelesh Nandkumar Sarawate, Jonathan Dwight Berry, Russell Pierson DeForest, Kevin Weston McMahan, Victor John Morgan, Ibrahim Sezer, Deepak Trivedi
  • Patent number: 11028709
    Abstract: An airfoil and shroud assembly includes an airfoil including a root end, a free end and a tenon extending from the free end, the tenon including a base and an externally threaded stud extending from the base. A shroud includes an opening configured to receive the base of the tenon. A nut is configured to be threadably coupled to the externally threaded stud on the tenon on the airfoil to couple the shroud to the airfoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vasantharuban Subramanian, Ronald Denmark, Prem Navin Dhayanandam, Richard Gutta, Sanjeev Kumar Jha
  • Patent number: 11008880
    Abstract: A turbine assembly adapted for use in a gas turbine engine is disclosed in this paper. The turbine assembly includes a turbine vane comprising ceramic matrix composite materials configured for use in high temperature environments. The turbine assembly further includes a vane-stage support for holding the turbine vane and other components in place relative to a turbine case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Anthony G. Razzell, Roderick M. Townes, David J. Shepherd, Duncan Forbes
  • Patent number: 10975706
    Abstract: A stator vane may comprise an airfoil extending between a first platform and a second platform, the airfoil including a core extending relatively orthogonal to the first platform and the second platform, at least one of the first platform or second platform comprising a frustic load transmission feature, wherein the frustic load transmission feature comprises at least a first angular surface disposed proximate a platform edge, wherein the first angular surface is defined by a non-orthogonal angle ? with respect to an outer platform surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Bryan H. Farrar, Andrew J. Lazur, Howard J. Liles, Bryan P. Dube
  • Patent number: 10941668
    Abstract: Assembly (2) comprising an annular turbine distributor (3) for turbomachinery (1), an annular structural element (4) of the turbomachinery (1), coaxial with the distributor (3) and at least one device (5) for attaching the annular distributor (3) with the annular structural element (4), characterised in that: —the annular distributor (3) is crossed by at least two axial passages, and —the or each attachment device (5) comprises: at least two pins (15), rigidly connected to the annular structural element (4) and passing through one of said passages of the distributor (3), a first transverse stop (16) for stopping the distributor (3) axially and passing through two consecutive pins (15), and two second stops (17) rigidly connected to the structural element (4) to retain, in the pins (15), the first transverse stop (16) for stopping the distributor (3) radially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Axel Sylvain Loïc Thomas, Maurice Guy Judet, Gabrijel Radeljak
  • Patent number: 10890076
    Abstract: A turbine vane assembly adapted for use in a gas turbine engine includes a turbine vane and a spar support. The turbine vane comprises ceramic matrix composite materials and is shaped to include an airfoil configured to direct the flow of hot gases through a primary gas path of the turbine vane assembly. The spar support comprises metallic materials and is configured to support other components of the turbine vane assembly relative to an associated turbine case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Inventor: Michael J. Whittle
  • Patent number: 10633988
    Abstract: A stator assembly for a gas turbine engine includes an annular outer shroud, an annular inner shroud radially spaced from the outer shroud and a plurality of stator vanes extending from the outer shroud to the inner shroud. A volume of potting is located at the inner shroud and at the outer shroud to retain the plurality of stator vanes thereat. A stator and case assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a case defining a working fluid flowpath for the gas turbine engine and a stator assembly located at the case. The stator assembly includes an annular outer shroud secured to the case, an annular inner shroud secured to the case and a plurality of stator vanes extending from the outer to the inner shroud. A volume of potting is located at the inner shroud and at the outer shroud to retain the plurality of stator vanes thereat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul W. Baumann, Colin G. Amadon, Steven J. Ford
  • Patent number: 10633991
    Abstract: A nozzle box assembly includes steam inlets, a torus part, and a steam path ring. Working steam is supplied through the steam inlets. The torus part is connected to the steam inlets so as to form an annular steam path and having an opening portion, in which a part of the annular steam path is opened. The steam path ring is connected to the opening portion so as to provide a path, which is connected to a stage, and provided with a plurality of vanes. The steam path ring is directly connected to the opening portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Doosan Heavy Industries Construction Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Dongwoo Kang, Dong Il Kim, Haesang Jeong, Cheolhong Kim
  • Patent number: 10612386
    Abstract: According to one aspect, an airfoil assembly for a gas turbine engine comprises a first end wall, a second end wall, an airfoil and a sheath. The first end wall has surfaces defining a first recess, and the second end wall has surfaces defining a second recess. The airfoil includes a first portion disposed in the first recess, a second portion disposed in the second recess, and a leading edge disposed between the first and second portions. The sheath is in contact with the first and second portions of the airfoil covering the leading edge between the surfaces defining the first and second recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher D. Hall, Daniel E. Molnar
  • Patent number: 10563542
    Abstract: A retention device includes a retention block including an opening extending through the retention block in a first direction. A tab also extends from the retention block in the first direction. A fastener extends through the opening and includes a head configured to engage the retention block. A clinch nut is coupled to the fastener with an interface surface of the clinch nut configured to engage the tab of the retention block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Clark, Brian C. McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 10557364
    Abstract: An inner shroud segment may include an inner housing and an outer housing. The inner housing may have a radial curve centered relative to an axis with a radial wall and a bottom wall that define a first channel. The outer housing may have a first axial wall, a first circumferential wall, and a second axial wall that define a second channel. The outer housing may also be disposed within the first channel with the radial wall of the inner housing contacting the first axial wall, the first circumferential wall, and/or the second axial wall. A compliant material may be disposed within the second channel and coupled to the radial wall and the first axial wall, the first circumferential wall, and/or the second axial wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Colin Amadon, Thomas Freeman
  • Patent number: 10532518
    Abstract: A metallic/composite joint may comprise a composite member having a flared end or an angled end, a liner perimetrically surrounding the composite member, and a metallic member perimetrically surrounding the liner. A first side of the liner contacts the composite member and a second side of the liner contacts the metallic member. The liner perimetrically surrounds at least a portion of the flared end. A through-thickness compressive stiffness of the liner may be less than a similar stiffness of the composite member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Mark R Gurvich, Rony Giovanni Ganis, Virginia H Faustino
  • Patent number: 10215192
    Abstract: A stator assembly (10) usable in a gas turbine engine (12) and configured to restrain inner and outer endwalls (14, 16) to limit deflection and prevent clearance loss relative to adjacent blade rotor disks (18) is disclosed. The stator assembly (10) may be formed from a plurality of stator vanes (20) with inner and outer endwalls (14, 16) that are coupled together with a first radially outer tie bar (22). In at least one embodiment, first and second radially outer tie bars (22, 24) may form first and second stator vane segments (26, 28) that together form the circumferentially extending stator assembly (10). The inner and outer endwalls (14, 16) may be coupled together with one or more circumferentially extending alignment pins (30) that limit deflection. The stator assembly (10) may include one more deformable seals (52) extending radially inward from the inner endwall (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Elliot Griffin
  • Patent number: 9963986
    Abstract: A coupling support member including a pair of divided pieces is placed between an end portion of a guide vane and an attachment flange, and the pair of divided pieces is joined to the vane end portion from both sides in the vane thickness direction. A linear protrusion is formed on one of joint surfaces of the vane end portion. A groove engaged with the linear protrusion is formed in one of respective joint surfaces of the pair of divided pieces. The vane end portion is fastened between the pair of divided pieces. It is possible to obtain a high structural strength while contributing to a reduction in weight of a jet engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: IHI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yagi, Tadahiro Ishigure, Takaomi Inada, Takeshi Murooka, Hideo Morita, Tatsuhito Honda
  • Patent number: 9963984
    Abstract: A guide vane for use in a gas turbine engine fan section has an airfoil extending between a radially inner platform and a radially outer platform. The radially inner platform has a radially outwardly facing surface from which the airfoil extends and a radially inwardly facing underside. The airfoil has a trailing edge extending to a leading edge. The underside is attached to a mount bracket and a main rib extending from the underside of the platform adjacent the trailing edge and in a direction generally towards the leading edge, and merging into a top surface on the mount bracket. A pair of shoulders is formed on each of two circumferential sides of the rib. Each of the shoulders is spaced from each other at a point on the shoulders connected into the top surface of the mount bracket. The shoulders extend circumferentially toward each other and the under surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas B. Hyatt, Carl Brian Klinetob, Jason Leroux
  • Patent number: 9879540
    Abstract: Compressor stators (22) for gas turbine engines (10) are disclosed. An exemplary compressor stator (22) comprises a circumferential array of stator vanes (28) and a shroud (24, 26) for supporting the stator vanes (28). The shroud (24, 26) has a circumferentially extending inner endwall (30, 32) exposed to an annular gas path (20) of the compressor (14). The endwall (30, 32) has a circumferentially uniform axial cross-sectional profile (42). The axial cross-sectional profile (42) comprises at least one deviation (48, 50) from a nominal axial cross-sectional profile (44) defining an overall shape of the annular gas path (20). The at least one deviation comprises a concave deviation (48) and a convex deviation (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Yau-Wai Li, Karan Anand, Peter Townsend
  • Patent number: 9863321
    Abstract: A gas turbine device includes an inlet casing and a stator diaphragm provided inside the inlet casing. The stator diaphragm has an integral inner stator shroud and an outer stator shroud and a plurality of stator vanes provided in a circumferential arrangement between the inner stator shroud and the outer stator shroud. A plurality of key slots is provided in a circumferential arrangement on the stator diaphragm and a corresponding plurality of key slots is provided in a circumferential arrangement on the inlet casing. The key slots provided on the stator diaphragm are aligned with the plurality of key slots provided on the inlet casing. A key is inserted into each of the plurality of key slots provided to prevent rotation of the stator diaphragm with respect to the inlet casing. The stator diaphragm is secured in an axial direction by a stator shear ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Elliott Company
    Inventors: Ronald John Josefczyk, Carl John Schuster
  • Patent number: 9822652
    Abstract: A supporting structure for a gas turbine engine comprises an inner ring, an outer ring, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced, load carrying radial elements connecting the inner and outer rings, said radial elements being configured to transfer loads between the inner ring and the outer ring, wherein a gas channel for a primary axial gas flow is defined between the inner and outer rings, wherein the supporting structure has an inlet side for primary gas flow entrance and an outlet side for primary gas outflow, wherein the radial elements have an airfoil shape with a leading edge directed towards the inlet side, a trailing edge directed towards the outlet side, and two opposite sides connecting the leading edge and the trailing edge, and wherein at least a first of said radial elements is connected to an adjacent part of the supporting structure via a weld joint that extends across the leading edge and circumferentially at least partly around the first radial element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: GKN Aerospace Sweden AB
    Inventors: Roger Sjoqvist, Hakan Jakobsson, Dan Gustafsson
  • Patent number: 9810434
    Abstract: A transition duct system (10) for delivering hot-temperature gases from a plurality of combustors in a combustion turbine engine is provided. The system includes an exit piece (16) for each combustor. The exit piece may include an arcuate connecting segment (36). An arcuate ceramic liner (60) may be inwardly disposed onto a metal outer shell (38) along the arcuate connecting segment of the exit piece. Structural arrangements are provided to securely attach the ceramic liner in the presence of substantial flow path pressurization. Cost-effective serviceability of the transition duct systems is realizable since the liner can be readily removed and replaced as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventor: David J. Wiebe
  • Patent number: 9447693
    Abstract: A compliant assembly includes an airfoil and a platform section from which the airfoil extends. The platform section includes a compliant attachment that is configured to secure the platform section to another structure different than the airfoil. The compliant attachment includes a compliant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William R. Edwards, David P. Dube, Richard K. Hayford
  • Patent number: 9366186
    Abstract: A turbojet includes an intermediate casing outer shroud connected to a front suspension and a primary structure connected to a rear suspension; the shroud and the primary structure are held in a coaxial relationship by arms with at least some of the arms being shaped and/or arranged to deform in response to thrust from the turbojet by creating a deforming torque between the shroud and the primary structure in opposition to opposing stress generated by the thrust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventor: Francois Robert Bellabal
  • Patent number: 9243509
    Abstract: The present application thus provides a stator vane assembly for a turbine engine. The stator vane assembly may include a casing slot and a number of ring segments positioned within the casing slot. Each of the ring segments may include a first end and a second end. The first end and the second end may have a stepped configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Michael T. Hudson
  • Patent number: 9175574
    Abstract: An energy converting machine includes a guide vane. The guide vane includes a guide vane body for guiding a streaming fluid. The guide vane body has a pressure surface and a suction surface, a trailing edge and a leading edge, and a winglet for reducing leakage of the streaming fluid from the pressure surface to the suction surface. The winglet is arranged at a longitudinal end of the guide vane body. The winglet extents from the trailing edge to the leading edge and is arranged at the pressure surface. The winglet is free of protrusions beyond the leading edge and beyond the trailing edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Trevor Milne
  • Patent number: 9169736
    Abstract: A stator joint for a gas turbine engine has a center axis, and a shroud having a radial wall facing substantially radially with respect to the center axis. A slot wall defines in-part a slot in the shroud. A relief wall defines a relief area of the slot. The relief wall extends between the radial wall and the slot wall. A vane has an airfoil and a lug extending into the slot. A flowable attachment material is disposed in the relief area for engagement of the vane to the shroud. A vane assembly and a gas turbine engine are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Richard K. Hayford, Glen E. Potter
  • Patent number: 9109448
    Abstract: A vane assembly for a gas turbine engine includes an annular shroud having openings therein and a plurality of vanes extending radially from the shroud and each having an extremity received within one of the openings. A grommet is positioned within each opening for shielding the vane extremity from the annular shroud. The grommet includes an annular protrusion for providing sealing between the opening and the vane extremity, and an annular restraint element adjacent the protrusion for retaining the vane in place relative to the shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Richard Ivakitch, Andreas Eleftheriou
  • Patent number: 9039364
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor, a combustor section, and a turbine. The turbine includes an integrated case/stator segment that is comprised of a ceramic matrix composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ioannis Alvanos, Gabriel L. Suciu
  • Publication number: 20150125291
    Abstract: A turbine engine assembly, with an axis, includes a vane arrangement segment, a mounting bracket and a strut. The vane arrangement segment includes a first platform segment, a second platform segment and a guide vane that extends radially between and is connected to the first and the second platform segments. The mounting bracket is connected to the vane arrangement segment. The strut extends radially through the first platform segment, the second platform segment and the guide vane, and is engaged with the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket attaches the vane arrangement segment to the strut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Jaisukhlal V. Chokshi
  • Patent number: 9022733
    Abstract: A turbine nozzle element including an inner annular platform sector, an outer annular platform sector, and at least one vane extending between the platform sectors and connected to both of them. The nozzle element includes a single piece of composite material including fiber reinforcement densified by a matrix that is at least partially ceramic, and the fiber reinforcement includes a fiber structure that is woven by three-dimensional or multi-layer weaving, and that presents continuity throughout the volume of the nozzle element and throughout the periphery of the vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignees: SNECMA, SNECMA Propulsion Solide
    Inventors: Dominique Coupe, Guillaume Jean-Claude Robert Renon
  • Patent number: 9011085
    Abstract: A Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMC) airfoil for a gas turbine engine includes at least one CMC ply which defines a suction side, an outer platform, a pressure side and an inner platform with a continuous “I”-shaped fiber geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Ioannis Alvanos
  • Patent number: 9003812
    Abstract: A supporting structure for a gas turbine engine includes at least one annular member, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced elements that extend in a radial direction of the annular member and that are connected to the annular member. At least one of the circumferentially spaced elements has an airfoil shape in cross section. The annular member includes at least two substantially flat panel segments that are arranged side by side in a circumferential direction of the annular member. The panel segments are connected to each other in a connection region that extends along facing end parts of the two panel segments. The airfoil shaped element is connected to the annular member at the connection region. A mean camber line of the airfoil shaped element at least along a portion of its length is inclined in relation to an axial direction of the annular member, and the connection region at least along a portion of its length is inclined in relation to the axial direction of the annular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: GKN Aerospace Sweden AB
    Inventor: Roger Sjöqvist
  • Patent number: 8979490
    Abstract: A fan inlet diffuser housing system includes an air cycle machine, a housing coupled to the air cycle machine, an inlet fan disposed on the air cycle machine and configured to pass inlet air into the fan inlet diffuser housing, a center tube disposed in the housing, a diffuser cone disposed around the center tube, an inboard strut supporting the inner tube within the diffuser cone, and an outboard strut supporting the inner tube within the diffuser cone, the outboard strut being integral with the diffuser cone, wherein the inboard strut is coupled to the inner tube with a first plurality of mechanical fasteners, and the outboard strut is coupled to the inner tube with a second plurality of mechanical fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Craig M. Beers, Seth E. Rosen
  • Patent number: 8956111
    Abstract: A rigid mechanical self-centering assembly for a component mounted relative to an opening. Variable radii cylindrical components are accommodated by virtue of variable-length, rigid, structural stays, and flexible mounts with curved faces for flush abuttal to said component, such as a motor or pump. A high efficiency assembly for electrical components is achieved by use of nonferrous materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Inventor: Lucien Eddisford
  • Patent number: 8956112
    Abstract: A CMC turbine stator blade 1 includes a blade 2 which is formed of a ceramic matrix composite material, and a band 11 which is formed of a ceramic matrix composite material or a metallic material and supports the blade 2. The blade 2 includes a first fitting portion 5 to which the band 11 is fitted at the outside thereof. The band 11 includes a second fitting portion 12 to which the first fitting portion 5 is fitted at the inside thereof. The CMC turbine stator blade 1 includes fixing means 6 which sandwiches the second fitting portion 12 from both sides in the height direction of the blade so that the blade 1 and the band 11 are fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Yosuke Tanahashi, Akira Takahashi, Hiroyuki Yagi
  • Patent number: 8951010
    Abstract: An inner shroud assembly includes an aft core segment mountable to a forward core segment to support a multiple of vanes for rotational movement relative thereto. A shroud backing plate segment engageable with the aft core segment and at least one fastener which passes through the shroud backing plate, the aft core segment and the forward core segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel W. Major, John C. Ditomasso, Nathan F. Champion
  • Patent number: 8944752
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a turbomachine rectifier comprising a plurality of stator vanes (5) connecting an inner collar (4) to an outer collar (3), each of said vanes (5) comprising a blade (11) and a blade-head platform (10), comprising an intermediate piece (6) arranged between the inner collar (4) and the outer collar (3) and fastened to the outer collar (3), said intermediate piece (6) comprising openings (14) for the passage of the vane blades (11) and said vane platforms (10) resting, on one side, on the outer collar (3) and, on the other side, on the intermediate piece (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Techspace Aero S.A.
    Inventor: Hervé Grelin
  • Patent number: 8944753
    Abstract: A turbine exhaust case comprises inner and outer annular shrouds defining therebetween an annular hot gaspath. A circumferential array of exhaust struts extends across the gaspath. The exhaust struts are mounted at one radial end thereof on a flexible strut mounting structure. The flexible strut mounting structure is radially deflectable relative to the outer and inner shrouds to accommodate thermal expansion of the exhaust struts during engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Richard Bouchard, Daniel Trottier, Gaetan Girard
  • Publication number: 20150027131
    Abstract: An axial compressor includes: a rotor as a rotational shaft; a plurality of rotor blades mounted on the rotor; a compressor casing that covers the rotor and the rotor blades; a plurality of stator vanes mounted on the compressor casing. The rotor blades and the stator vanes are each disposed in a circumferential direction of the rotational shaft to form a rotor-blade cascade and a stator-vane cascade, respectively. The rotor-blade cascade and the stator-vane cascade are arranged in plural rows, respectively, in an axial direction of the rotational shaft. The stator vane has a dovetail as a base for supporting a vane section. The compressor casing has a dovetail groove formed therein. The dovetail groove extends in the circumferential direction of the rotational shaft to receive the dovetail inserted therein to fix the stator vanes. Two or more stator vanes, the stator vanes belonging to stator-vane cascades different from each other, are fixed in the dovetail groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Hiroki TAKEDA, Yasuo TAKAHASHI, Chihiro MYOREN
  • Patent number: 8926262
    Abstract: A CMC turbine stator blade 1 includes a blade 2 of a ceramic matrix composite material formed or a metallic material, and a band 5 formed of a ceramic matrix composite material and supporting the blade 2. The blade 2 includes a first fitting portion 3 to which the band 5 is fitted outside. The band 5 includes a second fitting portion 7 to which the first fitting portion 3 is fitted inside. A flexible wire 8 is disposed between the fitting portions 3, 7 to fix the blade 2 and the band 5. A first groove 3a in the outer peripheral surface of the first fitting portion 3 extends in the front-to-rear direction of the blade 2. A second groove 7a in the inner peripheral surface of the second fitting portion 7a extends along the first groove 3a. The wire 8 is disposed between the grooves 3a,7a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Yosuke Tanahashi, Akira Takahashi, Hiroyuki Yagi
  • Patent number: 8920117
    Abstract: A vane structure of a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of vanes extending radially between outer and inner shrouds. At least the outer shroud is formed substantially from a single-piece annular skin of sheet metal. A plurality of reinforcing plates are placed against and are affixed to an outer surface of the skin of the outer shroud in respective joining locations where a radial outer end of each of the respective vanes joins the skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Richard Bouchard, Douglas MacCaul, Daniel Trottier
  • Patent number: 8905711
    Abstract: A vane structure for a gas turbine engine according includes a multiple of CMC airfoil sections integrated between a CMC outer ring and a CMC inner ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Ioannis Alvanos, Brian D. Merry, Christopher M. Dye
  • Patent number: 8894361
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine compressor has a compressor case comprising spaced apart inner and outer walls. An axial rotor is positioned within the outer wall. A bearing structure supports the axial rotor for rotation. A plurality of inlet guide vanes are coupled to the outer wall of the compressor case and radially extend inwardly, wherein each of at least a sub-set of said inlet guide vanes comprises a radial bore. Nested tie rods are received within a respective one of the inlet guide vane radial bores. Each tie rod comprises an outward end attached to the compressor case outer wall and an inward end attached to the compressor case inner wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose L. Rodriguez, Joseph L. Evins