US5211536A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Boltless turbine nozzle/stationary seal mounting
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1991-05-13
•
Granted: 1993-05-18
•
Expires: 2011-05-13
Abstract
Abstract The invention comprises the use of a split retaining ring cooperating with an inner nozzle support member to retain nozzle segments and a stationary seal without the use of threaded fasteners. Elimination of bolt heads from the rotor/stator cavity reduces windage losses and enables a shortening of the inner nozzle band overhang, reducing the requirement for high pressure cooling and cavity purge air.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert I. Ackerman
- 👤 Alan Walker
- 👤 Ronald E. Schlechtweg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 17:07
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01D; F01D9/00; F01D9/02; F01D9/04; F01D9/042; F02; F02C; F02C3/00; F02C3/04; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T50/00; Y02T50/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A turbine nozzle and stationary seal mounting means comprising: a nozzle segment having a nozzle inner band mounting flange; a nozzle support for receiving said mounting flange, with a surface exposed to high pressure cooling air; means for retaining said nozzle segment in said mounting support without the use of a threaded fastener; a stationary seal affixed to said nozzle support; a circumferential retaining ring having one split engaging said nozzle support, said means for retaining said nozzle in said mounting support, and said stationary seal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
A turbine nozzle and stationary seal mounting means comprising: a nozzle segment having a nozzle inner band mounting flange; a nozzle support for receiving said mounting flange, with a surface exposed to high pressure cooling air; means for retaining said nozzle segment in said mounting support without the use of a threaded fastener; a stationary seal affixed to said nozzle support; a circumferential retaining ring having one split engaging said nozzle support, said means for retaining said nozzle in said mounting support, and said stationary seal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The mounting means of claim 1 wherein the means for retaining said nozzle in said mounting support comprises a pin with a head engaging a surface of said nozzle support, and a shaft engaging a series of holes through the nozzle support and nozzle inner band mounting flange.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The mounting means of claim 1 wherein an annular discourager seal lip having a longitudinally extending circumferential surface coated with a thermal barrier coating is integral with the inner nozzle support.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The mounting means of claim 1 wherein the nozzle support has a seal antirotation slot and the stationary seal has an antirotation tab, and the antirotation tab is inserted in the antirotation slot to prevent rotation of the stationary seal during engine operation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The mounting means of claim 1 wherein the circumferential retaining ring has a circumferential groove hook section, and the nozzle support has a circumferential mounting groove, wherein the hook section of the ring engages the nozzle support circumferential mounting groove.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The mounting means of claim 5 wherein said split retaining ring has an inner radius and an outer radius corresponding to radial inner and outer surfaces, and wherein the split is at an oblique angle to the radius of the ring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The mounting means of claim 6 wherein said split retaining ring circumferential groove hook section is closer to the radial inner surface than the radial outer surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
69 words
The mounting means of claim 1 wherein said split retaining ring has a forward circumferentially planar surface, an intermediate circumferentially planar surface, an aft circumferentially planar surface, an inner circumferential surface, an intermediate circumferential surface, and an outer circumferential surface, including an outward facing groove in the intermediate circumferential surface between the forward and intermediate circumferentially planar surfaces, forming a circumferentially extending hook for engaging the inner nozzle support.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The mounting means of claim 8 including a forward facing groove in the forward circumferentially planar surface of said split retaining ring for receiving a shear wire.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The mounting means of claim 9 including slots in said split retaining ring from the forward facing groove radially outward to the outer circumferential surface for enabling insertion of a shear wire into said forward facing groove.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The mounting means of claim 10 wherein said shear wire is formed in an arcuate shape.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
54 words
The turbine nozzle and stationary seal mounting means of claim 11 wherein the split retaining ring forward circumferentially planar surface engages the stationary seal and nozzle support, the circumferentially extending hook engages a groove in the nozzle support, and the intermediate circumferentially planar surface engages the nozzle support and the nozzle segment mounting means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
The turbine nozzle and stationary seal mounting means of claim 12 wherein the means for retaining said nozzle segment in said mounting support comprises a pin with a head engaging a surface of said nozzle support, and a shaft engaging a series of holes through the nozzle support and nozzle inner band mounting flange.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 13, including means for preventing the escape of high pressure cooling air through the nozzle inner band and nozzle inner support.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
69 words
A circumferential retaining ring for retaining a nozzle segment in a nozzle support and for retaining a stationary seal affixed to the nozzle support comprising: one split at an oblique angle to the radius of said ring; a surface for engaging means for retaining the nozzle segment; a surface for engaging the stationary seal; a circumferential groove hook section for engaging a circumferential mounting groove on the nozzle support.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
69 words
A circumferential retaining ring for retaining a nozzle segment in a nozzle support and for retaining a stationary seal affixed to the nozzle support comprising: one split at an oblique angle to the radius of said ring; a surface for engaging means for retaining the nozzle segment; a surface for engaging the stationary seal; a circumferential groove hook section for engaging a circumferential mounting groove on the nozzle support.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4798514A
Cited
US4171930A
Cited
US4277222A
Cited
US4304523A
Cited
US4768924A
Cited
US4815933A
Cited
US4883405A
Cited
US4890981A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-05-17 | 1996-11-16 | 1997-05-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-05-17 | 2000-11-16 | 2001-05-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-05-17 | 2004-11-16 | 2005-05-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |