Fixed Between Radially Separate Surfaces Patents (Class 415/210.1)
  • Patent number: 7052234
    Abstract: A collar seal is configured for a turbine nozzle vane. The seal includes a retainer having a circumferential airfoil contour conforming with the airfoil contour of the vane. A flexible leaf is surrounded by the retainer and fixedly joined thereto. A woven sheath encases the leaf and is fixedly joined to the retainer. In an exemplary embodiment, the collar seal surrounds one end of a ceramic turbine vane mounted in a metal supporting band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Allen Wells, Mark Eugene Noe, David Edward Bulman, Nitin Bhate
  • Patent number: 7001147
    Abstract: A turbine nozzle includes airfoil and sidewall surfaces. The airfoil and sidewall surfaces have profiles substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in Tables I–IV for the pressure and suction sides of the airfoil, and the outer and inner sidewall surfaces, respectively. The X, Y and Z values are distances in inches. The X and Y values for the airfoil, when connected by smooth continuing arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z. The profile sections at the Z distances are joined smoothly with one another to form a complete airfoil shape. The X, Y and Z values of Tables III and IV define the outer and inner sidewall surfaces, respectively, of the gas flowpath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Stewart Phillips, Raymond Allan Wedlake, Randall Douglas Gill
  • Patent number: 6994520
    Abstract: First stage nozzle airfoils have internal core profiles substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in Table I wherein X, Y and Z values are in inches. The X and Y values are distances which, when connected by smooth continuing arcs, define internal core profile sections at each radial distance Z. The profile sections at each distance Z are joined smoothly to one another to form a complete internal core profile. The X, Y and Z distances may be scalable as a function of the same constant or number to provide a scaled-up or scaled-down internal core profile. The nominal internal core profile given by the X, Y and Z distances lies within an envelope of ±0.030 inches in directions normal to any internal core surface location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David John Humanchuk, Curtis John Jacks, Robert W. Coign
  • Patent number: 6979173
    Abstract: A turbine blade or vane includes an inner contour profile which is matched to the contour profile of the outer transition region, so that a substantially uniform blade or vane wall thickness is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter Tiemann
  • Patent number: 6921246
    Abstract: A method facilitates assembling a turbine nozzle for a gas turbine engine. The method includes providing a turbine nozzle including a plurality of airfoil vanes that extend between an inner band and an outer band, and forming a compound radii fillet that extends between a first of the airfoil vanes and the outer band, such that at least a second of the airfoil vanes is coupled to the outer band only by a single radii fillet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gulcharan S. Brainch, William Miller, Richard W. Albrecht, David B. Stewart, Todd Stephen Heffron
  • Patent number: 6913442
    Abstract: An internal coating on an internal passage wall exposed at a passage opening through an article external surface is protected from removal during repair of the article, including removal of at least a portion of an external coating, by a masking assembly disposed about the passage opening. The masking assembly comprises a masking member and a substantially flexible seal, substantially inert to a coating removal medium for the external coating. The masking member is shaped for disposition about the passage opening across a gap between the external surface and the masking member. The substantially flexible seal is disposed across the gap substantially to seal the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nripendra Nath Das, Stephen Joseph Ferrigno, Jim Dean Reeves, Michael Glenn Gordon
  • Patent number: 6910854
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Frederick R. Joslin
  • Patent number: 6905308
    Abstract: A method is provided for repairing a turbine nozzle segment having at least one vane disposed between outer and inner bands. The method includes separating the inner band from the nozzle segment, and joining the inner band to a newly manufactured replacement casting having an outer band and a vane. The replacement casting includes an airfoil stub. The airfoil stub is received in a recess formed in the inner band. Joining is completed by joining the airfoil stub to the inner band. The replacement casting may be modified from a newly manufactured singlet casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Philip Hagle, Brian Alan Norton, James Walter Caddell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6866477
    Abstract: The third stage nozzle has an airfoil profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in Table I wherein X and Y values are in inches and define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z and Z are non-dimensional values within a range from 0.1 to 0.9 convertible to Z distances in inches by multiplying the Z values of Table I within the range by a height of the airfoil in inches. The profile sections at the Z distances are joined smoothly with one another to form the nozzle airfoil shape. The X and Y distances may be scalable to provide a scaled-up or scaled-down airfoil for the nozzle. The nominal airfoil given by the X, Y and Z distances lies within an envelope of ±0.160 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brian Peter Arness, Robert Romany By, Gunnar Leif Siden, Poornathresan Krishnakumar, Bruce Loren Smith, Peter Christopher Selent
  • Publication number: 20040141839
    Abstract: A guide vane 1, such as may be used in a guide vane stage of a compressor (not shown), the guide vane comprising a main body 2 and a mounting base 4. In one aspect of the invention, at least part 22 of the mounting base 4 is aerofoil shaped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Kevin J. Weaver
  • Publication number: 20040096322
    Abstract: A method for repairing a turbine nozzle segment having at least one vane disposed between outer and inner bands includes separating the inner band from the nozzle segment, and joining the inner band to a newly manufactured replacement casting having an outer band and at least one vane. The replacement casting includes a mounting platform formed on one end of the vane and a boss formed on the mounting platform. A collar is joined to the inner band and has a slot formed therein. The boss is then inserted into the slot, and the mounting platform is received in a recess formed in the inner band. Joining is completed by joining the boss to the collar and the mounting platform to the inner band. The thickness of the collar is tapered in an axial direction, and a relief is formed in the collar to provide assembly clearance with adjacent components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Walter Caddell, Matthew Nicklus Miller, Brian Alan Norton
  • Publication number: 20040096323
    Abstract: A method is provided for repairing a turbine nozzle segment having at least one vane disposed between outer and inner bands. The method includes separating the inner band from the nozzle segment, and joining the inner band to a newly manufactured replacement casting having an outer band and a vane. The replacement casting includes an airfoil stub. The airfoil stub is received in a recess formed in the inner band. Joining is completed by joining the airfoil stub to the inner band. The replacement casting may be modified from a newly manufactured singlet casting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Philip Hagle, Brian Alan Norton, James Walter Caddell,
  • Patent number: 6736599
    Abstract: The first stage nozzles have airfoil profiles substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth Table 1. The X and Y values are in inches and the Z value is non-dimensional along the nozzle-stacking axis coincident with a turbine radius and convertible to a Z distance in inches from the turbine axis by multiplying the Z value by the height of the airfoil and adding the root radius to the result. The X and Y distances may be scalable as a function of the same constant or number to provide a scaled up or scaled down airfoil section for the nozzle. The nominal airfoil given by the X, Y and Z distances lies within an envelope of ±0.160 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Curtis John Jacks, Craig Allen Bielek, Robert Walter Coign, Randall Gill
  • Publication number: 20040081548
    Abstract: A flow directing device of a gas turbine engine, comprising: an airfoil having a leading edge, trailing edge, suction side and pressure side; a wall abutting the airfoil; and a fillet between the airfoil and wall. The fillet has an enlarged section at the leading edge, along the suction and pressure sides, and towards the trailing edge. The device could be part of a vane segment. In addition to eliminating a horseshoe vortex, the device also reduces heat load on the airfoil by directing the cooler gas from the proximal end of the airfoil to the hotter gas at the medial section of the airfoil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Gary A. Zess, Joel Wagner
  • Patent number: 6722848
    Abstract: Nozzles for a turbine have dovetail-shaped bases for reception in corresponding dovetail-shaped grooves in the carrier halves of a turbine. The nozzles at each of the horizontal joint faces of each carrier half have notches formed along their bases including an abutment face. Key slots are formed in the horizontal joint faces and receive keys bearing against the abutment faces. The keys are peened or screwed into the carrier half at the horizontal joint faces. Radial loading pins engage the end nozzle bases to bias the end nozzles radially inwardly without interfering with the keys retaining the nozzles in the grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bernard Arthur Couture, David Orus Fitts, Ronald Wayne Korzun, James David Schuhl
  • Publication number: 20040067131
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventor: Frederick R. Joslin
  • Publication number: 20040052638
    Abstract: A cover is provided to conceal the forward-facing step defined by the protrusion of the first stage diaphragm into the LP inlet. The cover presents a smoothly contoured surface to the flowing fluid in both radial and circumferential directions and thus reduces energy loss of the working fluid, thereby to increase performance of the LP turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Daniel Mark Brown, Stephen R. Swan, Edward J. Sharrow, Carol A. Sterantino
  • Patent number: 6685431
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for repairing a vane used in a gas turbine engine. The method broadly comprises the steps of providing a vane to be repaired, which vane has a first platform, a first buttress, a second platform, a second buttress, and an airfoil extending between the first and second platforms, removing the first platform, the first buttress, and the airfoil from the vane in their entirety and removing part of the second platform and the second buttress leaving a machined vane portion, providing a replacement detail having at least a replacement first platform, a replacement first buttress and a replacement airfoil, positioning the replacement detail relative to the machined vane portion, and forming a joint between the machined vane portion and the replacement detail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: David J. Hiskes
  • Patent number: 6676373
    Abstract: A part is used that constitutes a platform web and that has a shape close to the shape of the platform with an inside face and an outside face that are opposite each other. Fiber reinforcement plies are draped on a blade core and at least some of these plies extend beyond an end of the blade that is to be connected to the platform so as to form ply extensions. The ply extensions are folded down against the inside and outside faces of the platform to form flaps securing the blade to the platform, and fiber reinforcement plies are draped around the platform web and over the flaps so as to form a platform box retaining the flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: SNECMA Moteurs
    Inventors: François Marlin, Cyrille Mathias, François Ribassin
  • Patent number: 6648597
    Abstract: A ceramic matrix composite material (CMC) vane for a gas turbine engine wherein the airfoil member (12) and the platform member (14) are formed separately and are then bonded together to form an integral vane component (10). Airfoil member and the platform member may be bonded together by an adhesive (20) after being fully cured. Alternatively, respective joint surfaces (16, 18) of the green body state airfoil member and platform member may be co-fired together to form a sinter bond (30). A mechanical fastener (38) and/or a CMC doubler (42) may be utilized to reinforce the bonded joint (40). A matrix infiltration process (50) may be used to create or to further strengthen the bond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventors: Scott M. Widrig, Jay Morrison, Harry A. Albrecht, Yevgeniy Shteyman, Steven C. Butner
  • Patent number: 6644916
    Abstract: Vanes of the type for directing a fluid radially are fabricated by forming the vanes integrally to a support structure made from a sacrificial material which is removed in assembly so that the vanes are supported for operative use. In one embodiment, the vanes are formed in the dams of an annular burner by preforming the vanes supported to a disk; the vanes and disk apparatus is fitted to side plates which are then brazed together and the disk portion and complementary side plate portions are removed, for defining the dam that is affixed to the liner of the annular combustor. Other configurations are contemplated that are tailored to fit the intended embodiment. The vane and support portion made from a sacrificial material constitute an apparatus of this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Elliott Energy Systems, Inc
    Inventor: William F. Beacom
  • Patent number: 6632070
    Abstract: The invention relates to a guide vane (17) for a turbomachine (1), in particular a gas turbine guide vane, in which the platform (48) has a separating region (50), which is embodied as a separate component. This has, in particular, advantages with respect to the simplification of cast blade/vane (17) in terms of manufacturing technology, with respect to the variability of a material selection, the quality of a protective coating to be applied and efficient cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter Tiemann
  • Publication number: 20030118447
    Abstract: A bladed member, particularly for an axial turbine of an aircraft engine; the bladed member having at least one aerodynamic profile defined by a back face and an underside face connected to each other along a leading edge and a trailing edge and defining respective nozzles for a stream of gas; the underside face having a projecting rib elongated in a direction crosswise to the leading and trailing edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: FIATAVIO S.p.A.
    Inventors: Sergio Salvano, Stefano Protto
  • Publication number: 20030077171
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for repairing a vane used in a gas turbine engine. The method broadly comprises the steps of providing a vane to be repaired, which vane has a first platform, a first buttress, a second platform, a second buttress, and an airfoil extending between the first and second platforms, removing the first platform, the first buttress, and the airfoil from the vane in their entirety and removing part of the second platform and the second buttress leaving a machined vane portion, providing a replacement detail having at least a replacement first platform, a replacement first buttress and a replacement airfoil, positioning the replacement detail relative to the machined vane portion, and forming a joint between the machined vane portion and the replacement detail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventor: David J. Hiskes
  • Patent number: 6511286
    Abstract: A centrifugal blower comprises an impeller; and a casing, having an intake port disposed at a region opposing the air inlet portion of impeller, for accommodating the impeller. The casing is provided with a port cover constituted by rod-shaped members which are arranged in a net structure, in order to cover the intake port of casing. A trailing edge portion of the rod-shaped members is formed with a slanted surface. Due to this slanted surface, the flow of air passing through the port cover so as to flow into the air inlet portion is smoothly deflected away from the axis of rotation of impeller. As a consequence, swirls are restrained from occurring, whereby a sound-insulating effect is exhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Maruyama Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Junichi Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 6499942
    Abstract: A turbomolecular pump capable of maintaining a maximum discharge rate even in a higher pressure has rotor blades or stator blades formed such that surface angles on a first surface of the blades facing the direction of rotation differ between an inlet port side of the blades and an outlet port side. The surface closer to the inlet port has a larger angle than on a side closer to the outlet port. One side of the blades has a plurality of surface portions each with different angles. The angles of the surfaces are in the range of 20° to 50° on the inlet port side, 10° to 40° on an intermediate portion, and 10° to 90° on the outlet port side. The angles of the first and second surface portions are larger than that of the intermediate surface portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Manabu Nonaka, Takashi Okada, Takashi Kabasawa
  • Publication number: 20020197156
    Abstract: A turbine stator vane (41) for use in an axial flow gas turbine. The vane has an aerofoil the pressure face of which is convex between platform (45) and tip (46) regions in a plane (48) which extends both radially of the turbine and transversely of the general working fluid flow direction between the vanes. The trailing edge (43) of the aerofoil is straight from platform to tip, and the spanwise convex and concave curvatures of the aerofoil pressure and suction surfaces respectively are achieved by rotational displacement of the aerofoil sections about the straight trailing edge. However, the axial width (W) of the aerofoil is substantially constant over substantially all of the aerofoil radial height and the chord line at mid-height aerofoil sections (44) is shorter than the chord lines in aerofoil sections at platform or tip regions. Reducing chord length at the mid-height region in this way lowers aerodynamic profile losses without unduly affecting vane performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventor: Brian Robert Haller
  • Patent number: 6494677
    Abstract: A method for repairing a turbine nozzle segment having at least two vanes disposed between outer and inner bands includes separating the outer and inner bands from the vanes, and forming one slot for each vane through the outer band and one slot for each vane through the inner band. A newly manufactured replacement vane is provided for each one of the original vanes. Each replacement vane has an outer boss formed on an outer end thereof and an inner boss formed on an inner end thereof. Then, each outer boss is inserted into a corresponding one of the outer band slots, and each inner boss is inserted into a corresponding one of the inner band slots. Once the parts are so assembled, each outer boss is welded to the outer band on the cold side, and each inner boss is welded to the inner band on the cold side. Each replacement vane is also brazed to the outer and inner bands on the respective hot sides thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Wayne Ray Grady
  • Patent number: 6491493
    Abstract: A turbine nozzle comprises an array of nozzle blades (1) U disposed circumferentially in an annular passage (4) defined between inner and outer rings of a diaphragm and fixed to the inner and outer rings of the turbine diaphragm. The flow passage is defined between a pressure surface (F) and a suction surface (B) of adjacent ones of the nozzle blades, and a cross section of the flow passage includes predetermined ranges extending along a blade height (h) from the inner and outer diameter surfaces (hub and tip end walls) and defined by a curved line, and another range defined by a substantially straight line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: EBARA Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Watanabe, Hideomi Harada
  • Publication number: 20020182057
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine component including a nozzle outer band, a plurality of nozzle vanes extending inward from the outer band, and an inner band extending circumferentially around inner ends of the vanes. Further, the component has a shroud integral with the outer band adapted for surrounding a plurality of blades mounted in the engine for rotation about a centerline thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Gary Charles Liotta, Robert Francis Manning
  • Patent number: 6471470
    Abstract: A vane adjustment mechanism, for controlling the quantity of exhaust gas including a base unit having an inner base unit and an outer base unit. The inner base unit (2A) has first and second flanges, and is forced into the outer base unit (2B). A plurality of U-shaped indentations (2c) are spaced at regular angular intervals and each indentation extends from the first flange (2a) to the second flange (2b), so that the U-shaped indentations form vane shaft holes for accommodating the vane lever units (3) when the inner base unit is inserted into the outer base unit to block the U-shaped indentations in such a way that the vane lever units are free to rotate. A link plate (4) has U-shaped indentations, in which protrusions of the vane lever units (3) engage, all along the circumferential edge of the link plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyoji Yoshimura, Yoshihiro Ishihara, Takashi Mikogami
  • Patent number: 6431830
    Abstract: A worked nozzle ring for a gas turbine, in particular an aircraft engine, having at least one shroud and at least one blade sheet arranged thereon, whereby, in order to create a worked nozzle ring that is easy to manufacture, the blade sheet comprises, at the frontal side, at least one two-dimensionally profiled connecting space region that is placed in a profiled opening formed in the shroud by beam cutting and is connected therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: MTU Motoren-und Turbinen München GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Hermann Richter, Josef Reischl, Hans Juergen Schmuhl, Klaus Breitschwerdt, Ulrich Knott, Siegfried Boettcher, Karlheinz Manier, Werner Humhauser
  • Patent number: 6425739
    Abstract: An in-line centrifugal fan including a housing having an inlet and an outlet spaced apart and substantially coaxial one to another and a motorized centrifugal-type impeller mounted centrally within the housing substantially coaxially between the inlet and the outlet. A plurality of spaced air flow redirecting vanes are each connected to and radially extend inwardly from the housing toward, but not to, a radially outermost perimeter of the impeller whereby air flow through the housing is increased by the vanes. Various vane configurations, clearances and number of vanes are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: R. B. Kanalflakt, Inc.
    Inventor: Lindsay Ambler
  • Patent number: 6419446
    Abstract: A method for inhibiting radial transfer of core gas flow away from a center radial region and toward the inner and outer radial boundaries of a core gas flow path within a gas turbine engine is provided that includes the steps of: (1) providing a flow directing structure that includes an airfoil that abuts a wall surface, said airfoil having a leading edge, a pressure side, and a suction side; and (2) increasing the velocity of the core gas flow in the area where the leading edge of the airfoil abuts the wall. Increasing the velocity of the core gas flow in the area where the leading edge of the airfoil abuts the wall impedes the formation of a pressure gradient along the surface of the airfoil that forces core gas from the center region of the core gas toward the wall. The apparatus includes apparatus for diverting core gas flow away from the area where the airfoil abuts the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William A. Kvasnak, Friedrich O. Soechting, Karen A. Thole, Gary A. Zess
  • Patent number: 6419447
    Abstract: Turbine blade of gas turbine etc. and gas turbine equipment using the turbine blade suppress occurrence of thermal stress caused by temperature difference and provide high reliability. In gas turbine equipment comprising rotational portion of rotor (1) and moving blade (2), stationary portion of casing (3), stationary blade (4), various supporting members, etc. and combustor, thermal stress reducing portion is provided in any one or both of moving blade joint adjacent portion (14a) between moving blade trailing edge portion (14) and platform (15) and stationary blade joint adjacent portion (20a) between stationary blade trailing edge portion (20) and shroud (18, 19). By the thermal stress reducing portion, undesirable thermal stress occurring in the blade joint adjacent portions (14a, 20a) is reduced and reliability of the turbine blade and the gas turbine equipment is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Watanabe, Masaaki Matsuura, Kiyoshi Suenaga
  • Patent number: 6416278
    Abstract: A method for repairing a turbine nozzle segment having at least one vane disposed between outer and inner bands includes separating the inner band from the nozzle segment, and joining the inner band to a newly manufactured replacement casting having an outer band and at least one vane. The replacement casting includes a mounting platform formed on one end of the vane and a boss formed on the mounting platform. A collar is joined to the inner band and has a slot formed therein. The boss is then inserted into the slot, and the mounting platform is received in a recess formed in the inner band. Joining is completed by joining the boss to the collar and the mounting platform to the inner band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Walter Caddell, Jr., James Michael Caldwell, Kenneth Morand Lieland, Glenn Herbert Nichols
  • Patent number: 6409473
    Abstract: An assembly comprising a ceramic vane with a metal housing cast around the ends of the vane. The ceramic vane has dovetailed shaped grooves along its edges that extend from the vane's leading edge to its trailing edge. The housing is comprised of two spaced apart walls each having dovetailed protrusions for mating with the dovetail grooves in the vanes's edges. Upon the casting of the walls to the vane at least one surface of each dovetail groove comes in contact with at least one surface of the dovetail protrusion. A crushable coating is disposed between the vane's edges and the dovetail protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: E-June Chen, Bjoern Schenk, Ramesh Bapat, I. Gene Fowkes, Brian Gracias, Shen-Yeh Chen, Taison Ku, Josef Paluch, II
  • Publication number: 20020064456
    Abstract: A part is used that constitutes a platform web and that has a shape close to the shape of the platform with an inside face and an outside face that are opposite each other. Fiber reinforcement plies are draped on a blade core and at least some of these plies extend beyond an end of the blade that is to be connected to the platform so to form ply extensions. The ply extensions are folded down against the inside and outside faces of the platform to form flaps securing the blade to the platform, and fiber reinforcement plies are draped around the platform web and over the flaps so as to form a platform box holding the flaps prisoner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Applicant: SNECMA MOTEURS
    Inventors: Francois Marlin, Cyrille Mathias, Francois Ribassin
  • Publication number: 20020044868
    Abstract: In a guide vane element for a gas turbine with a vane blade extending between a platform that is located radially inward in relation to the main housing of the gas turbine and a radially outward platform, a flange is provided on at least one edge of the platforms adjoining an adjacent second guide vane element in the circumferential direction and on the side of the platform facing away from the vane blade. The second guide vane element can be attached, via a second flange provided on a second platform on the second guide vane element. The connection of the platforms forms a cover band, or a connection between the guide vane elements that is tight, flush, and stress-free at different temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: Peter Marx, Kynan Eng, Andrew Whalley
  • Patent number: 6371725
    Abstract: A fan outlet guide vane includes integral outer and inner platforms conforming to arcuate sides thereof, and multiple mounting bosses on the platforms. The platform sides are arcuate to conform with the vane sides for improving aerodynamic efficiency. The multiple mounting bosses improve mounting of the vanes to corresponding supporting rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Alan Manteiga, Jeffrey Howard Nussbaum, Joseph Capozzi, John Lawrence Noon
  • Patent number: 6368055
    Abstract: Turbine nozzles and turbine moving blades of an axial-flow turbine are provided which are capable of reducing a secondary flow loss with a simple structure. A nozzle blade passage formed by nozzle blades, an outer diaphragm ring and an inner diaphragm ring is structured in such a manner that the shapes of inner and outer walls of the nozzle blades are made to be irregular so that stepped portions (h1 at the root and h2 at the tip) each having curvature R are formed. The nozzle blades are formed in such a manner that ends (Zr, Zp and Zt) of an trailing edge of the nozzle blades are positioned at the most downstream position at the central portion of the nozzle blades. Moreover, relationships Zt<Zr<Zp are satisfied. Similarly to the nozzle blade passage, the moving blades are formed in such a manner that stepped portions h3 and h4 each having curvature R are formed in the moving blade passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Minoru Matsuda
  • Patent number: 6334754
    Abstract: A turbomolecular pump comprises a casing, a rotor having a rotor blades arranged in multiple stages in the casing axially thereof, and a stator having stator blades arranged in multiple stages and alternately located between the rotor blades. Each of the stator blades has an inner ring portion, an outer ring portion spaced-apart from the inner ring portion, and blades connected between the inner and outer ring portions along a circumferential direction thereof. Each of the blades has a first end connected to an outer peripheral edge of the inner ring portion and a second end opposite the first end connected to an inner peripheral edge of the outer ring portion. A reinforcement member is disposed on the inner ring portion of each of the stator blades along the entire circumference of the inner ring portion for reinforcing the stator blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Takashi Kabasawa
  • Patent number: 6302647
    Abstract: An engine turbocharger includes a turbine inlet scroll for conducting exhaust gas from a laterally offset position to the annular inlet of a turbine wheel. An outer wall defines a generally S-shaped passage connecting an inlet flange with concentric annular outlet flanges aligned on laterally spaced parallel axes. An inner wall positioned near the outlet end of the turbine inlet duct defines an annular passage portion for distribution of exhaust gas to the turbine inlet. Three annularly spaced struts or vanes support the inner wall within the outer wall slightly upstream from the outlet flanges of the scroll. A straight vane is positioned on the central plane of the turbine inlet scroll to support the wall with the least possible interference with gas flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua D Schueler, John R. Zagone
  • Patent number: 6296442
    Abstract: A turbomachine stator vane set includes a ring of vanes having platforms arranged in a housing formed on an outer shell. The bottom of the housing has a non-planar surface which is spherical or cylindrical with a radius of curvature R, and the cooperating surface of the platforms has a corresponding non-planar surface which is spherical or cylindrical with a larger radius of curvature R+&Dgr;R prior to fitting and which is reduced to the radius R under stress, by the action of fastening rivets used to assemble the vane platforms with the outer shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Techspace Aero
    Inventor: Hung Quac Tran
  • Publication number: 20010018019
    Abstract: A method of increasing low cycle fatigue life of a turbine nozzle comprising a plurality of stationary airfoils extending between radially inner and outer ring segments comprising a) providing at least one radial passage in each of the plurality of airfoils; b) installing a rod in the radial passage extending between the radially inner and outer ring segments and fixing one end of the rod to one of the inner and outer rings; and c) pre-loading the rod to compress the airfoil between the inner and outer ring segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Hoyle Jang, Gary Michael Itzel, Yufeng Phillip Yu
  • Patent number: 6206635
    Abstract: A stator device for an axial flow fan has a plurality of first stator elements and a corresponding plurality of second stator elements, the first stator elements being disposed axially rearwardly of the second stator elements so as to define an air flow slot therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Valeo, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman Golm, Stéphane Moreau
  • Patent number: 6196794
    Abstract: The gas turbine stator vane structure comprising a plurality of vanes 13, an outer platform 11 and an inner platform 12 is formed by integrally connecting a plurality of units 2 in a circle with fiber-reinforced prepreg tapes 10, 10′ each wound around and fused to an outside surface of the outer platform 11 and an inside surface of the inner platform 12. Each of the units 2 is constituted by (a) a core 3 composed of a laminate of fiber-reinforced prepregs and integrally having a web 31 for constituting a vane 13, and flanges 32, 33 integrally connected to both ends of the web 31 for constituting outer and inner platform pieces 21, 22; and (b) a skin layer 4 integrally molded around the core 3. The core 3 is at least partially exposed through windows of the skin layer 4 on both of an outside surface of the outer platform piece 21 and an inside surface of the inner platform piece 22, and fused to the fiber-reinforced prepreg tapes 10, 10′.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keizo Matsumoto