# US 2014/0154065 A1 · Turbomachine flow divider and related turbomachine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0154065 A1 - Document ID: US20140154065A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/692,541 - Filed: 2012-12-03 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-03 - Assignees: General Electric Company - Applicants: General Electric Company - Inventors: Prashant Prabhakar Sankolli; Steven Sebastian Burdgick - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140154065A1 ## CPC - F01D 9/041: {using blades (F01D5/148 takes precedence)} - F01D 9/047: {Nozzle boxes} - F05D 2220/31: in steam turbines - F05D 2230/26: by rolling - F01D: NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES (machines or engines for liquids F03; non-positive displacement pumps F04D) - F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS ## Abstract Various embodiments include a turbomachine flow divider. In various particular embodiments, a flow divider for connecting with a first inner diaphragm ring and a second inner diaphragm ring of a turbomachine includes: a body section; and a pair of axially extending flanges extending from the body section, each of the axially extending flanges for engaging with the first inner diaphragm ring and the second inner diaphragm ring, respectively, wherein the flow divider is formed substantially of a rolled plate metal or a sheet metal. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A flow divider for connecting with a first inner diaphragm ring and a second inner diaphragm ring of a turbomachine, the flow divider comprising: a body section; and a pair of axially extending flanges extending from the body section, each of the axially extending flanges for engaging with the first inner diaphragm ring and the second inner diaphragm ring, respectively, wherein the flow divider is formed substantially of a rolled plate metal or a sheet metal. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The flow divider of claim 1, wherein the first inner diaphragm ring and the second inner diaphragm ring each include a step for engaging one flange from the pair of axially extending flanges of the flow divider. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The flow divider of claim 1, wherein, in the case that the flow divider includes sheet metal, the sheet metal has a thickness of at least 5 centimeters. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The flow divider of claim 1, wherein the body section of the flow splitter has a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface opposite the radially outer surface, the radially inner surface being substantially free of machining. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The flow divider of claim 1, further comprising a pair of notches in the pair of axially extending flanges proximate a horizontal joint surface of the flow divider. ### Claim 6 A turbomachine diaphragm section comprising: a first diaphragm stage in a first turbomachine section, the first diaphragm stage having a first inner diaphragm ring and a first outer diaphragm ring; a second diaphragm stage in a second turbomachine section opposing the first turbomachine section, the second diaphragm stage having a second inner diaphragm ring and a second outer diaphragm ring; a flow divider connected with the first inner diaphragm ring and the second inner diaphragm ring for dividing flow of a working fluid into each of the first diaphragm stage and the second diaphragm stage, the flow divider including: a body section having a substantially planar radially outer surface; and a pair of axially extending flanges extending from the body section, each axially extending flange engaging with the first inner diaphragm ring and the second inner diaphragm ring, respectively; and a set of key members proximate a horizontal joint surface of the flow divider between at least one of the pair of axially extending flanges and at least one of the first inner diaphragm ring or the second inner diaphragm ring. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The turbomachine diaphragm section of claim 6, wherein the first inner diaphragm ring and the second inner diaphragm ring each include a slot housing a portion of a key member from the set of key members. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The turbomachine diaphragm section of claim 7, wherein the first inner diaphragm ring and the second inner diaphragm ring each include a step engaging one flange from the pair of axially extending flanges of the flow divider. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The turbomachine diaphragm section of claim 6, wherein the flow divider includes a rolled plate metal or a sheet metal. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The turbomachine diaphragm section of claim 9, wherein in the case that the flow divider includes sheet metal, the sheet metal has a thickness of at least 5 centimeters. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The turbomachine diaphragm section of claim 6, wherein the body section of the flow splitter has a radially inner surface opposite the substantially planar radially outer surface, the inner surface being free of machining. ### Claim 12 (depends on 6) The turbomachine diaphragm section of claim 6, wherein the set of key members restricts rotation of the flow divider relative to the first diaphragm stage and the second diaphragm stage. ### Claim 13 A dual-flow turbomachine comprising: a first section having a first diaphragm stage with a first inner diaphragm ring and a first outer diaphragm ring; a second section opposing the first section, the second section having a second diaphragm stage with a second inner diaphragm ring and a second outer diaphragm ring; a flow divider connected with the first inner diaphragm ring and the second inner diaphragm ring for dividing flow of a working fluid into each of the first diaphragm stage and the second diaphragm stage, the flow divider including: a body section having a substantially planar radially outer surface; and a pair of axially extending flanges extending from the body section, each axially extending flange engaging with the first inner diaphragm ring and the second inner diaphragm ring, respectively; and a set of key members proximate a horizontal joint surface of the flow divider between at least one of the pair of axially extending flanges and at least one of the first inner diaphragm ring or the second inner diaphragm ring. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The dual-flow turbomachine of claim 13, wherein the first inner diaphragm ring and the second inner diaphragm ring each include a slot housing a portion of a key member from the set of key members. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The dual-flow turbomachine of claim 14, wherein the first inner diaphragm ring and the second inner diaphragm ring each include a step engaging one flange from the pair of axially extending flanges of the flow divider. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The dual-flow turbomachine of claim 13, wherein the flow divider includes a rolled plate metal or a sheet metal. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The dual-flow turbomachine of claim 16, wherein, in the case that the flow divider includes sheet metal, the sheet metal has a thickness of at least 5 centimeters. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The dual-flow turbomachine of claim 13, wherein the body section of the flow splitter has a radially inner surface opposite the substantially planar radially outer surface, the inner surface being free of machining. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The dual-flow turbomachine of claim 13, wherein the set of key members restricts rotation of the flow divider relative to the first diaphragm stage and the second diaphragm stage. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The dual-flow turbomachine of claim 13, further comprising: a first set of nozzles extending between the first inner diaphragm ring and the first outer diaphragm ring; and a second set of nozzles extending between the second inner diaphragm ring and the second outer diaphragm ring, wherein the flow divider is positioned to divert the working fluid to each of the first set of nozzles and the second set of nozzles.