Fluid reaction surfaces (i.e. – impellers) – With heating – cooling or thermal insulation means – Changing state mass within or fluid flow through working...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-19
2001-05-29
Verdier, Christopher (Department: 3745)
Fluid reaction surfaces (i.e., impellers)
With heating, cooling or thermal insulation means
Changing state mass within or fluid flow through working...
C416S09700R, C415S115000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06238182
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to joints and connections and, more particularly, to an improved joint for a turbine component such as a turbine blade or vane.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the assembly of turbine blades and vanes, it is known in the art to mount or secure an inner wall member of air foil cross-section within an outer wall member also having an air foil cross-section. Typically, the inner wall member or insert includes a radially outwardly directed collar at one end of the insert that is brazed or otherwise joined to surfaces of the outer wall member. The inner wall member may include dimples or other protuberance structures extending outwardly from an outer surface of the insert that align or register the insert relative to an inner surface of the outer wall member. The assembled turbine component includes one or more air chambers formed between the outer and inner wall members that are used to cool the outer wall member during operation of the turbine engine.
Typically, compressed air from a compressor of the turbine engine is delivered to one or more inner chambers of the inner wall member or insert. The compressed air discharges through apertures formed through the inner wall member as a series of high velocity air jets that impinge upon and cool the inner surfaces of the outer wall member. Air is also discharged through apertures formed through the outer wall member to provide a cooling air film that travels over the outer surfaces of the outer wall member from the leading edge to the trailing edge. In this way, the turbine component is able to survive in the hot gas environment of the turbine engine without structural damage.
Notwithstanding advances made in the manufacture of turbine blades and vanes having an inner wall member or insert mounted or secured within an outer wall member, there is still a need for an improved joint for turbine components that provides a strong and reliable connection between the outer and inner wall members during operation of the turbine engine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the foregoing and other shortcomings and drawbacks of turbine components and assembly methods heretofore known. While the invention will be described in connection with certain embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention includes all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
In accordance with the principles of the present invention, an improved joint is provided for a turbine component including an outer wall member, an inner wall member or insert disposed within the outer wall member, and at least one air channel formed therebetween. The improved joint preferably includes a plurality of elongated ribs of V-shaped cross-section extending from the inner wall member. The elongated ribs preferably extend substantially across the entire width of the inner wall member or insert.
The improved joint further preferably includes a plurality of elongated protrusions extending from the outer wall member that terminate in V-shaped grooves spaced from the outer wall member. The elongated ribs and V-shaped grooves are arranged to face in registry upon assembly of the turbine component so that the ribs are slidably received in the V-shaped grooves. Braze material is preferably disposed at the joint interfaces between the elongated ribs and V-shaped grooves to from a plurality of braze joints for interconnecting the inner and outer wall members.
The formation of the elongated ribs and V-shaped grooves in the improved joint of the present invention provides a mechanical interlock at the joint interfaces to significantly increase the strength of the braze joints and their ability to resist shearing forces that may occur during use of the turbine component in a turbine engine. The elongated ribs and V-shaped grooves also provide for accurate registration or alignment of the outer and inner wall members during assembly of the turbine component. Moreover, the joints formed by the elongated ribs and V-shaped grooves from partition walls that define air chambers between the outer and inner wall members that improve cooling of the outer wall member.
The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention shall be made apparent from the accompanying drawings and the description thereof.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 61-51124 (1986-11-01), None
Meyer Tool, Inc.
Verdier Christopher
Wood Herron & Evans L.L.P.
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