Tile and exo-skeleton tile structure

A generally annular exo-skeleton tile structure for an annular combustion liner shell to facilitate cooling of the liner shell by axial gas flow along a gap therebetween, comprising part-annular tiles linked together edgewise by the inter-engagement of external circumferentially-extending ribs on outer surfaces of the tiles, the inter-engagement being such that the ribs of adjacent tiles are relatively slideable circumferentially, to allow thermal expansion and contraction of the annular structure in use, but such as to resist relative bending of the adjacent tiles about their linked edges, to impart rigidity to the structure;

• the tiles having means for connection to the underlying liner shell in use.

A gas turbine structure, comprising:

• a combustion chamber whose liner shell has an exo-skeleton tile structure connected to it, the tile structure comprising part-annular tiles linked together edgewise by the inter-engagement of external circumferentially-extending ribs on outer surfaces of the tiles, the inter-engagement being such that the ribs of adjacent tiles are relatively slideable circumferentially, to allow thermal expansion and contraction of the annular structure in use, but such as to resist relative bending of the adjacent tiles about their linked edges, to impart rigidity to the structure;
• the tiles having means for connection to the underlying liner shell in use.

A method of forming a generally annular exo-skeleton tile structure over an annular liner shell, comprising the steps of:

• connecting a plurality of part-annular tiles to the liner shell with their edges linked together and their ribs inter-engaging to prevent bending along the edges, each tile being formed with means for connection to a parallel annular combustion liner shell, and formed with at least one rib extending circumferentially across an outer surface of the tile and projecting beyond one edge of the tile, such that like tiles may be linked at their edges by the inter-engagement of a projecting rib of one tile with the rib of an adjacent tile, to form a complete, generally annular structure in use, the inter-engagement being such that the ribs of adjacent tiles are relatively slideable circumferentially, to allow thermal expansion and contraction of the annular structure in use, but such as to resist relative bending of the adjacent tiles about their linked edges, to impart rigidity to the structure.