Variable area turbine nozzle
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsJoseph W. Savage, Ely E. Halila, Robert J. Orlando, Valentine R. Boehm, Jr., James A. Martus, Thomas T. Wallace, Monty L. Shelton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A variable area turbine nozzle includes a plurality of circumferentially adjoining nozzle segments. Each nozzle segment includes outer and inner bands, with a plurality of first vane segments fixedly joined therebetween. A plurality of second vane segments adjoin respective ones of the first vane segments to define therewith corresponding vanes which are spaced apart to define respective throats of minimum flow area for channeling therethrough combustion gas. The second vane segments are pivotable to selectively vary the throat area.
Claims13
A variable area turbine nozzle segment comprising:
- outer and inner spaced apart bands;
- a plurality of first vane segments extending between said bands and fixedly joined thereto;
- a plurality of second vane segments adjoining respective ones of said first vane segments to define therewith corresponding vanes, said vanes being spaced apart from each other to define a throat of minimum flow area for channeling therethrough combustion gas;
- and
- means for pivoting said second vane segments to vary said throat area, and including two hinge joints and two actuation joints joining together respective pairs of said first and second vane segments solely at hubs and tips thereof.
A variable area turbine nozzle segment comprising:
- outer and inner spaced apart bands;
- a plurality of first vane segments extending between said bands and fixedly joined thereto;
- a plurality of second vane segments adjoining respective ones of said first vane segments to define therewith corresponding vanes, said vanes being spaced apart from each other to define a throat of minimum flow area for channeling therethrough combustion gas;
- and
- means for pivoting said second vane segments to vary said throat area, comprising:
- a hinge tube fixedly joined to respective ones of said second vane segments at one end thereof to define with a complementary seat of said first vane segments a hinge gap;
- a hinge pin extending through said bands and respective ones of said hinge tubes to mount said second vane segments to said first vane segments for pivoting movement;
- and
- an actuation shaft extending through said bands and operatively joined to respective ones of said second vane segments to pivotally adjust said second vane segments to vary said throat area.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.