# US 7,607,893 B2 · Counter tip baffle airfoil > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,607,893 B2 - Document ID: US7607893B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/507,132 - Filed: 2006-08-21 - Published: 2008-02-21 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2006-08-21 - Assignees: General Electric Company - Inventors: Ching-Pang Lee; Kevin Samuel Klasing; Paul Hadley Vitt; Brian David Keith - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7607893B2 ## CPC - F01D 5/20: Specially-shaped blade tips to seal space between tips and stator {(F01D5/225 takes precedence)} - F01D 5/145: {Means for influencing boundary layers or secondary circulations (for compressors F04D29/68)} - F05D 2250/70: Shape - Y02T 50/60: Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft - 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 - Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION ## Abstract A turbine blade includes an airfoil having first and second tip ribs extending along the opposite pressure and suction sides thereof. The tip ribs are spaced apart between the leading and trailing edges of the airfoil to include a tip baffle. The baffle extends chordally in counter profile with the first rib to define a first pocket, and in counter profile with the second rib to define a second pocket. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A turbine blade comprising: an airfoil, platform, and integral dovetail; said airfoil having opposite pressure and suction sides extending in chord between leading and trailing edges and extending in span from root to tip; said tip including first and second ribs extending from a tip floor along said pressure and suction sides, respectively; and said first and second ribs are joined together at said opposite leading and trailing edges and are spaced transversely apart to include a tip baffle extending chordally in counter profile with said first rib to define a first pocket therealong and in counter profile with said second rib to define a second pocket therealong. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A blade according to claim 1 wherein said tip baffle includes a first side facing said first rib in opposite profiles, and a second side facing said second rib in opposite profiles. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A blade according to claim 2 wherein said airfoil increases in width aft from said leading edge to a maximum width at a hump in said suction side, and then converges to said trailing edge, and said tip baffle commences between said leading edge and hump and terminates between said hump and trailing edge. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A blade according to claim 3 wherein said tip baffle commences integrally with said second rib near said hump to bifurcate said tip into said first and second pockets. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A blade according to claim 4 wherein said first and second pockets converge and diverge, respectively, in opposition aft along said opposite sides of said tip baffle. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A blade according to claim 5 wherein said first pocket converges aft to its aft end, and said second pocket converges aft to its aft end. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) A blade according to claim 5 wherein said tip baffle terminates integrally with said second rib, and said first pocket continues aft therefrom. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) A blade according to claim 5 wherein said tip baffle terminates transversely between said first and second ribs, said second pocket terminates in flow communication with said first pocket, and said first pocket continues aft therefrom. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) A blade according to claim 5 wherein said first side of said tip baffle is convex along the forward portion thereof and faces a convex inboard side of said first rib, and said second side of said tip baffle is concave along the forward portion thereof and faces a concave inboard side of said second rib. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) A blade according to claim 5 wherein said first side of said tip baffle is concave along the aft portion thereof and faces said convex inboard side of said first rib, and said second side of said tip baffle is convex along the aft portion thereof and faces said second rib. ### Claim 11 A turbine blade comprising an airfoil tip having a pressure-side first rib joined to a suction-side second rib at opposite leading and trailing edges and spaced transversely apart to include a tip baffle extending chordally in counter profile with said first rib to define a first pocket therealong and in counter profile with said second rib to define a second pocket therealong. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A blade according to claim 11 further including an airfoil having a concave pressure side and an opposite convex suction side, and said tip baffle includes a first side facing said first rib in opposite profiles, and an opposite second side facing said second rib in opposite profiles. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A blade according to claim 12 wherein said airfoil increases in width aft from said leading edge to a maximum width at a hump in said suction side, and then converges to said trailing edge, and said tip baffle commences between said leading edge and hump and terminates between said hump and trailing edge. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A blade according to claim 13 wherein said airfoil further includes a tip floor from which said first and second ribs and tip baffle extend in common height, and said first and second pockets converge and diverge, respectively, in opposition aft along said opposite sides of said tip baffle. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) A blade according to claim 11 wherein said first and second ribs and tip baffle are integrally joined together in said airfoil tip in a one-piece metal casting. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) A blade according to claim 14 wherein said tip baffle commences integrally with said second rib near said hump to bifurcate said tip into said first and second pockets; and said first pocket converges aft to its aft end, and said second pocket converges aft to its aft end. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A blade according to claim 16 wherein said tip baffle terminates integrally with said second rib, and said first pocket continues aft therefrom. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) A blade according to claim 16 wherein said tip baffle terminates transversely between said first and second ribs, said second pocket terminates in flow communication with said first pocket, and said first pocket continues aft therefrom. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) A blade according to claim 14 wherein said first side of said tip baffle is convex along the forward portion thereof and faces a convex inboard side of said first rib, and said second side of said tip baffle is concave along the forward portion thereof and faces a concave inboard side of said second rib. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) A blade according to claim 19 wherein said first side of said tip baffle is concave along the aft portion thereof and faces said convex inboard side of said first rib, and said second side of said tip baffle is convex along the aft portion thereof and faces said second rib.