US4076451A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ceramic turbine stator
Assignee: RTX Corp
•
Filing: 1976-03-05
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Granted: 1978-02-28
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Expires: 1996-03-05
Abstract
Abstract A turbine stator assembly which is adapted for long term, reliable operation in the high temperature environment of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. Various construction details and material selections are discussed. The system cooperatively employs varied increments of component thermal expansion to hold ceramic vanes in compression throughout the operating cycle of the engine.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan Lewis Jankot
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 02:42
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01D; F01D5/00; F01D5/12; F01D5/28; F01D5/284; F01D9/00; F01D9/02; F01D9/04; F01D9/042; F05; F05D; F05D2240/00; F05D2240/10; F05D2300/00; F05D2300/20; F05D2300/21
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A stator vane assembly, which includes: an inner, continuous shroud having a central ring portion including a spherical surface facing outwardly therefrom; an outer, continuous shroud having a central ring portion including a spherical socket facing inwardly therefrom; and a ceramic vane disposed radially between said inner and said outer shrouds wherein the vane has an inner diameter platform which is engaged by the spherical surface of the inner shroud and an outer diameter platform which is engaged by the spherical socket of the outer shroud.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
A stator vane assembly, which includes: an inner, continuous shroud having a central ring portion including a spherical surface facing outwardly therefrom; an outer, continuous shroud having a central ring portion including a spherical socket facing inwardly therefrom; and a ceramic vane disposed radially between said inner and said outer shrouds wherein the vane has an inner diameter platform which is engaged by the spherical surface of the inner shroud and an outer diameter platform which is engaged by the spherical socket of the outer shroud.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said inner shroud is fabricated from a material having a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than the material from which said outer shroud is fabricated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said outer shroud is comprised of a first element and an axially adjacent second element which are separable to facilitate assembly of said ceramic vane in the stator assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention according to claim 2 wherein said outer shroud is affixed to an outer engine case by a cylindrical support.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention according to claim 4 wherein said cylindrical support is axially slotted to increase its radial flexibility and to thermally isolate said outer shroud from the outer case.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention according to claim 5 wherein said inner shroud is affixed to an inner engine case by a truncated conical support.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention according to claim 6 wherein said truncated conical support is axially slotted to increase its radial flexibility and to thermally isolate said inner shroud from the inner engine case.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention according to claim 7 wherein said inner shroud has extending therefrom an upstream finger and a downstream finger which encase the inner diameter platform of the ceramic vane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention according to claim 8 wherein said fingers of the inner shroud are radially flexible to accommodate angular misalignment of said vane with respect to the inner shroud.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention according to claim 9 wherein said outer shroud has extending therefrom an upstream finger and a downstream finger which encase the outer diameter platform of the ceramic vane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention according to claim 10 wherein said fingers of the outer shroud are radially flexible to accommodate angular misalignment between the vane and the outer shroud.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention according to claim 1 which comprises a plurality of said ceramic vanes in circumferentially spaced relationship between said outer shroud and said inner shroud.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-02-27 | 1981-08-29 | 1982-02-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-02-27 | 1985-08-29 | 1986-02-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-02-27 | 1989-08-29 | 1990-02-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |