# US 7,070,386 B2 · Airfoil insert with castellated end

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- Number: US 7,070,386 B2
- Document ID: US7070386B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 10/877,395
- Filed: 2004-06-25
- Published: 2005-12-29
- Granted: 2006-07-04
- Earliest claimed: 2004-06-25
- Assignees: United Technologies Corporation
- Inventors: Barry S. Kessler; Donald Evans
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7070386B2

## CPC

- F01D 5/189: {the insert having a tubular cross-section, e.g. airfoil shape}
- F01D 9/065: {Fluid supply or removal conduits traversing the working fluid flow, e.g. for lubrication-, cooling-, or sealing fluids (see also F01D25/16, F01D25/24 and F01D25/26)}
- F05D 2250/182: crenellated, notched
- F05D 2260/201: by impingement of a fluid
- 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

Provided is an airfoil insert for discharging an increased volume of cooling air. The insert comprises a perforated, tubular-shaped body with a first end for introducing the cooling air. A second end located opposite the first end and discharges an increased volume of the cooling air for use in cooling inboard components. The second end approximates a castellated wall and comprises one or more tabs spaced about the periphery. Alternating between tabs are notches in the body for discharging the cooling air. Covers may be joined to opposing tabs by bridging across the second end, or opposing tabs themselves may be joined together by bridging across the second end.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An airfoil insert for discharging cooling air, comprising:
a tubular body;
a first end for introducing cooling air into said body;
a second end, said second end being opposite said first end;
one or more tabs extending from said second end of said body, said tabs being spaced about a periphery of said second end; and
one or more covers joined to one or more separate tabs with at least one of said one or more covers being joined by welding.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The insert of claim 1, wherein:
the airfoil is a turbine vane.

### Claim 3

An airfoil insert for discharging cooling air, comprising:
a tubular body, said tubular body having an airfoil shaped transverse cross-section;
a first end for introducing cooling air into said body; a second end, said second end being opposite said first end, the periphery of said second end comprises a concave shaped region, a convex shaped region located opposite the concave shaped region, a forward directed leading edge region located between said convex and concave shaped regions and a rearward directed trailing edge region located opposite said leading edge region;
one or more tabs extending from said second end of said body, said tabs being spaced about a periphery of said second end, with a tab extending from said second end at each of said leading and trailing edge regions of the periphery; and one or more covers joined to said one or more tabs, said covers bridging said second end and defining one or more spaced apertures for discharging at least a portion of the introduced cooling air.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The insert of claim 3, wherein:
said tabs at said leading and trailing edge regions further extend about portions of said concave and convex shaped regions of the periphery.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The insert of claim 4, further comprising:
a cover joined to each of the tabs extending from the leading edge and trailing edge regions.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The insert of claim 5, wherein:
said covers are joined to each of the tabs by welding.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The insert of claim 6, wherein:
the airfoil is a turbine vane.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The insert of claim 5, wherein:
said covers are joined to each of the tabs by brazing.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The insert of claim 8, wherein:
the airfoil is a turbine vane.

### Claim 10

An airfoil insert for discharging cooling air, comprising:
a tubular body, said body terminating at a first end for introducing cooling air and at a second end for discharging at least a portion of the cooling air;
one or more tabs spaced about a periphery of said second end; and
wherein a first tab bridges said second end and connects to a second tab by welding, defining one or more spaced apertures for discharging the at least a portion of the introduced cooling air.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The insert of claim 10, wherein:
the airfoil is a turbine vane.

### Claim 12

An airfoil insert for discharging cooling air, comprising:
a tubular body;
a first end for introducing cooling air into said body;
a second end, said second end being opposite said first end;
one or more tabs extending from said second end of said body, said tabs being spaced about a periphery of said second end; and
one or more covers joined to one or more separate tabs with at least one of said one or more covers being joined by brazing.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The insert of claim 12 wherein:
the airfoil is a turbine vane.

### Claim 14

An airfoil insert for discharging cooling air, comprising:
a tubular body, said body terminating at a first end for introducing cooling air and at a second end for discharging at least a portion of the cooling air;
one or more tabs spaced about a periphery of said second end; and
wherein a first tab bridges said second end and connects to a second tab by brazing, defining one or more spaced apertures for discharging the at least a portion of the introduced cooling air.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The insert of claim 14, wherein:
the airfoil is a turbine vane.