Patent · US Active

Systems, methods, and apparatus for thermally isolating a turbine rotor wheel

US8226365B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
9References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 22, 2009
Grant dateJul 24, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 8, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T29/49316
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention can provide systems, methods, and an apparatus for thermally isolating a turbine rotor wheel. According to one embodiment, a method for thermally isolating a turbine rotor wheel can be provided. The turbine rotor wheel can include a pair of blade posts, or shanks, supporting respective turbine rotor blades such that a shank cavity is formed between respective blade posts. To thermally isolate the turbine rotor wheel, at least one seal operable to partition the shank cavity into an upper region and a lower region can be provided. In addition, this seal can be inserted within the shank cavity to partition the shank cavity into an upper region and a lower region. In doing so, cooling air flow can be divided between the upper region and the lower region so that the lower region can be maintained at a lower temperature than the upper region.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.