Flowpath sealing and streamlining configuration for a turbine

US6779972B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• General Electric Company · US

Inventors

• Alison Farrell · Niskayuna, US
• Douglas Carl Hofer · Clifton Park, US
• Norman Douglas Lathrop · Ballston Lake, US
• Raymond Kenneth Overbaugh, Jr. · Berne, US
• William Thomas Parry · Saratoga Springs, US
• Kenneth Robertson · Schenectady, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 31, 2002
• Grant date: Aug 24, 2004
• Expiry date: Jan 4, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F01D11/001
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The root region of a flowpath through a turbine includes a sealing configuration for minimizing leakage flow and secondary aerodynamic losses. Entrance and exit root radial seals are provided between upstream and downstream nozzles at locations radially inwardly of the root region of the flowpath to minimize radial leakage flow. To minimize intrusion flow into the flowpath from rotor pumping action and consequent aerodynamic losses, an exit flow guide on each bucket turns the exiting radial flow in a predominantly axial direction. Additionally, the upstream bucket root radius and nozzle root radius are faired or tapered to minimize the possibility of a protuberance projecting into the flowpath at steady state operation. An additional entrance root axial fin is provided on the buckets to reduce the flow coefficient and afford further reduction in leakage flow.