Methods and apparatus for coupling ceramic matrix composite turbine components
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsKevin Leon Bruce, David Vincent Bucci, Ronald Ralph Cairo, David Mitchell
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Abstract
A method facilitates assembling a stator assembly for a turbine engine. The method comprises positioning a shroud fabricated from a ceramic matrix composite material adjacent a metallic stator block, and coupling the shroud to the stator block using a coupling arrangement such that a predetermined radial clearance is defined between the shroud and a rotor assembly coupled radially inward thereof.
Claims48
A method for assembling a stator assembly for a turbine engine, said method comprising:
- positioning a shroud fabricated from a ceramic matrix composite material adjacent to a metallic stator block;
- and
- coupling the shroud to the stator block using a coupling arrangement such that a predetermined radial clearance is defined between the shroud and a rotor assembly coupled radially inward thereof, wherein the coupling arrangement includes at least one fastener that includes a head portion, a nose portion, a barrel portion extending between the head and nose portions, and a sealing flange that extends radially outward from the barrel portion.
A stator assembly for a turbine engine, said stator assembly comprising:
- a stator block comprising at least one fastener opening;
- a coupling arrangement;
- and
- a shroud coupled to said stator block by said coupling arrangement, said shroud comprising at least one fastener opening, said coupling arrangement comprising at least one fastener extending through said shroud at least one fastener opening and through said stator block at least one fastener opening, said at least one fastener comprising an external surface coated with at least one of a wear coating and a thermal barrier coating, said at least one fastener further comprising a head portion, a nose portion, and a barrel portion extending therebetween, said nose portion comprises a bullnose-shaped cross-sectional profile.
A turbine engine comprising:
- a rotor assembly;
- and
- a stator assembly comprising a stator block, at least one fastener, and a shroud, said shroud coupled to said stator block by said at least one fastener such that a clearance is defined between at least a portion of said rotor assembly and said shroud, at least one of said stator block and said shroud is fabricated from a ceramic matrix composite material, said at least one fastener comprising an external surface coated with at least one of a wear coating and a thermal barrier coating, said at least one fastener further comprises a cooling passageway extending at least partially therethrough.
A stator assembly for a turbine engine, said stator assembly comprising:
- a stator block comprising at least one fastener opening;
- a coupling arrangement;
- and
- a shroud coupled to said stator block by said coupling arrangement, said shroud comprising at least one fastener opening, said coupling arrangement comprising at least one fastener extending through said shroud at least one fastener opening and through said stator block at least one fastener opening, said shroud fabricated from a ceramic matrix composite material, said at least one fastener comprises a head portion, a nose portion, and a barrel portion extending therebetween, said at least one fastener further comprises a seal flange extending radially outward from said barrel portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.