A turbine shroud apparatus is provided for a gas turbine engine having a central axis. The apparatus includes: (a) an annular support member (14); (b) a turbine shroud (12) disposed in the support member (14), the shroud (12) being a continuous ring comprising a low-ductility material and having opposed flowpath and back surfaces, and opposed forward and aft ends; and (c) a spring (32) mounted between the support member (14) and the shroud (12) and arranged to resiliently urge the shroud (12) to a concentric position within the support member (14).

Mounting apparatus for low-ductility turbine shroud

An engine has a blade stage (10) and a circumferential array of blade outer air seal segments (66). A support ring (70) carries the blade outer air seal segments (66). The support ring (70) has a low-CTE member (72) and a high-CTE member (90) intervening between the blade outer air seal segments (66) and the low-CTE member (72).

Blade clearance control using high-CTE and low-CTE ring members

A segmented component for use with a gas turbine engine comprises a radially extending gas path portion. The gas path portion is for interacting with gas flow from the gas turbine engine. The component is divided into axially aligned segments comprising a forward segment, an aft segment, and a plurality of middle segments disposed between the forward segment and the aft segment. The middle segments comprise radially elongate ceramic matrix composite material plates. In one embodiment, the gas path portion comprises an airfoil for a turbine blade. In another embodiment, the gas path portion comprises a removable platform for a turbine blade. In another embodiment, the gas path portion comprises an airfoil for a turbine vane.

Segmented ceramic matrix composite turbine airfoil component

A vane assembly (10) for a gas turbine engine is disclosed herein. The vane assembly includes an inner platform, an outer platform, and a ceramic-containing airfoil (16) that extends from the inner platform to the outer platform. The ceramic-containing airfoil is manufactured to have radially discontinuous ribs (25) spaced radially apart from one another between the inner platform and the outer platform.

Vane assembly for a gas turbine engine

Gas turbine engines and related systems involving variable vanes are provided. In this regard, a representative vane assembly for a gas turbine engine includes: a first inner diameter platform; a first outer diameter platform spaced from the first inner diameter platform; and a variable vane airfoil rotatably attached to and extending between the first inner diameter platform and the first outer diameter platform such that at least a portion of the vane airfoil extends beyond a periphery of at least one of the first inner diameter platform and the first outer diameter platform.

Gas turbine engines and related systems involving variable vanes

A metal vane core or strut (64) is formed integrally with an outer backing plate (40). An inner backing plate (38) is formed separately. A spring (74) with holes (75) is installed in a peripheral spring chamber (76) on the strut. Inner and outer CMC shroud covers (46, 48) are formed, cured, then attached to facing surfaces of the inner and outer backing plates (38, 40). A CMC vane airfoil (22) is formed, cured, and slid over the strut (64). The spring (74) urges continuous contact between the strut (64) and airfoil (66), eliminating vibrations while allowing differential expansion. The inner end (88) of the strut is fastened to the inner backing plate (38). A cooling channel (68) in the strut is connected by holes (69) along the leading edge of the strut to peripheral cooling paths (70, 71) around the strut. Coolant flows through and around the strut, including through the spring holes.

CMC Vane Assembly Apparatus and Method

Aspects of the invention are directed to a ring seal segment having a base portion and a frame portion. The base portion and the frame portion are a unitary structure. The frame portion is made of four unitary side walls: a forward wall, an aft wall and a pair of transverse side walls. The side walls can be arranged in a rectangular configuration. At least a part of the base portion can be coated with a thermal insulating material. A ring seal segment according to aspects of the invention is well suited to withstand the expected operational loads in the turbine section. The transverse side walls can provide bending strength to the base and can strengthen the forward and aft side walls. Transition regions between the side walls and the base portion are strengthened by three perpendicular planes that cooperate to provide structural strength to the ring seal segment.

Ceramic matrix composite turbine engine components with unitary stiffening frame

Aspects of the invention are related to a turbine vane assembly in which at least one of the platforms is equipped with one or more removable platform inserts. The inserts can be used in those areas of the platform where failures or damage has been known to occur, among other locations. If an insert becomes damaged or is destroyed during engine operation, the insert can be easily replaced, and the platform frames and the airfoil can be reused. As a result, the overall life of the vane can be extended. Further, the inserts can be made of materials that can reduce cooling requirements compared to known turbine vanes, thereby allowing cooling air to be used for other uses in the engine.

Turbine vane with removable platform inserts

A ceramic hybrid structure (207, 502, 602, 608) that includes a wavy ceramic matrix composite (CMC) wall (214, 532, 603, 609) bonded with a ceramic insulating layer (230, 538, 604, 610) having a distal surface (242) that may define a hot gas passage (250, 550, 650) or otherwise be in proximity to a source of elevated temperature. In various embodiments, the waves (216, 537, 637) of the CMC wall (214, 532, 603, 609) may conform to the following parameters: a thickness (222) between 1 and 10 millimeters; an amplitude (224) between one and 2.5 times the thickness; and a period (226) between one and 20 times the amplitude. The uninsulated backside surface (218) of the CMC wall (214) provides a desired stiffness and strength and enhanced cooling surface area. In various embodiments the amplitude (224), excluding the thickness (222), may be at least 2 mm.

Wavy CMC Wall Hybrid Ceramic Apparatus

A ceramic ring segment for a turbine engine that may be used as a replacement for one or more metal components. The ceramic ring segment may be formed from a plurality of ceramic plates, such as ceramic matrix composite plates, that are joined together using a strengthening mechanism to reinforce the ceramic plates while permitting the resulting ceramic article to be used as a replacement for components for turbine systems that are typically metal, thereby taking advantage of the properties provided by ceramic materials. The strengthening mechanism may include a bolt or a plurality of bolts designed to prevent delamination of the ceramic plates when in use by keeping the ceramic plates in compression.

Anthony L. Schiavo

Papers

CMC Vane Assembly Apparatus and Method

Ceramic matrix composite turbine engine components with unitary stiffening frame

Turbine vane with removable platform inserts

Wavy CMC Wall Hybrid Ceramic Apparatus

Stacked laminate bolted ring segment