Recuperator and turbine support adapter for recuperated gas turbine engines

A recuperator and turbine support adapter for securing a recuperator to a support housing, comprising:

• an annular outer strutted body, wherein the outer strutted body comprises a first outer ring and a first inner ring, the first outer ring connected to the first inner ring by at least three outer struts, wherein the outer struts are symmetrically arranged around the outer strutted body, and wherein the outer strutted body further comprises a first forward flange and a first aft flange, the first forward flange and the first aft flange disposed on the first outer ring;
• an annular inner strutted body wherein the inner strutted body comprises a second outer ring and a second inner ring, the second outer ring connected to the second inner ring by at least three inner struts, wherein the inner struts are symmetrically arranged around the inner strutted body, and wherein the inner strutted body further comprises a second forward flange and a second aft flange, the second forward flange and the second aft flange disposed on the second inner ring;
• wherein at least one outer strut and at least one inner strut are aligned with one another to provide an open passage;
• and
• a thermal spring connecting the first inner ring of the outer strutted body to the second outer ring of the inner strutted body.

A recuperated turbine engine comprising:

• a gas turbine engine;
• a recuperator coupled to the gas turbine engine;
• a recuperator and turbine support adapter coupled to the recuperator and the gas turbine engine, wherein the recuperator and turbine support adapter comprises an annular outer strutted body, wherein the outer strutted body comprises a first outer ring and a first inner ring, the first outer ring and the first inner ring connected by a plurality of outer struts, wherein the first outer ring comprises a first forward flange and a first aft flange;
• an annular inner strutted body, wherein the inner strutted body comprises a second outer ring and a second inner ring, the second outer ring and the second inner ring connected by a plurality of inner struts, wherein the second inner ring comprises a second forward flange and a second aft flange;
• and a thermal spring connecting the first inner ring of the outer strutted body to the second outer ring of the inner strutted body;
• and
• a combustor case for securing the recuperator and turbine support adapter and the recuperator to the gas turbine engine.

A method of heating compressed air in a gas turbine engine, comprising:

• flowing cold compressed air between outer struts of an outer strutted body of a recuperator and turbine support adapter into a recuperator, the recuperator and turbine support adapter for securing the recuperator to a combustor case of the gas turbine engine;
• heating the cold compressed air in the recuperator to provide heated compressed air;
• and
• flowing the heated compressed air from the recuperator to a combustor, wherein the heated compressed air flows between inner struts of an inner strutted body of the recuperator and turbine support adapter,
• wherein the recuperator and turbine support adapter comprises an annular outer strutted body, wherein the outer strutted body comprises a first outer ring and a first inner ring, the first outer ring and the first inner ring connected by a plurality of outer struts, an annular inner strutted body wherein the inner strutted body comprises a second outer ring and a second inner ring, the second outer ring and the second inner ring connected by a plurality of inner struts, and a thermal spring connecting the first inner ring of the outer strutted body to the second outer ring of the inner strutted body.