FLEXIBLE COMPONENT PROVIDING SEALING CONNECTION

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to components that provide the interface between the combustion section and the inlet of the turbine section of an industrial gas turbine combustion system. More particularly, the invention relates to provision of an improved sealing function about the transition between combustion section and the inlet of the turbine section.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A typical industrial gas turbine engine has multiple combustion chambers in a circumferential configuration about the engine shaft. For each combustion chamber there is normally a transition duct, also referred to as a transition piece, through which the hot combustion exhaust flow is carried from each combustion chamber to the inlet of the turbine section. With the plurality of combustion chambers arranged about a central axis of the gas turbine engine, the transition pieces are radially arranged about the turbine axis and comprise outlet ends that converge to form an annular inflow to the turbine inlet. Each transition piece is joined via a sealing arrangement to the turbine inlet section, which is at the front end of the row one vane segment. These and adjoining components experience thermal expansion, thermal stresses and vibrational forces resulting from combustion dynamics, all of which are known to adversely affect performance of numerous components, including the seals. Consequently, numerous seal designs have been proposed to find an improved balance between the seal cost, reliability, durability, installation and repair costs and adverse effects on adjacent components.

One or more turbine vanes mounted between outer and inner curved platforms is called a nozzle. Retainer rings retain a set of nozzles in a circular array for each stage of the turbine. Upper and lower seals on an exit frame of each transition piece seal against respective outer and inner retainer rings of the first stage nozzles to reduce leakage between the combustion and turbine sections of the engine.

Multiple such seals are part of the interface between the exit end of each transition piece and the inlet of the turbine section. Upper and lower seals on an exit frame of each transition piece form part of the sealing structure between the transition piece and the turbine inlet. Also to reduce leakage between the combustion and turbine sections of the engine, additional seals are provided in the interface structure between the exit frame and outer and inner retainer rings of the first stage nozzles. These seals conventionally have sufficient clearance in their slots to accommodate relative dynamic motion and differential thermal expansion between the exit frame and the retainer ring. For this reason, such seals may be called “floating seals”. However, such clearance increases gas leakage across the seal, thereby reducing engine efficiency. The initial close tolerances of newly installed floating seals are degraded as a result of wear over the component life. This results in larger gaps through which compressed air enters the hot gas path. This, in turn, is expected to reduce efficiency and may lead to higher emissions of nitrogen-containing by-products.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is explained in the following description in view of the drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary gas turbine engine within which embodiments of the invention may be employed;

FIG. 2 is a partial view in cross-section of a gas turbine engine, illustrating a typical prior art design of the inner and outer sealing interfaces;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross sectional views of an exemplary gas turbine engine illustrating sealing interfaces and a spring seal according to of the invention;

FIG. 4A is a partial perspective view of a finger seal assembly illustrating a segment thereof comprising a backing ring and seal plates;

FIG. 4B is an exploded view of the segment of the finger seal assembly shown in FIG. 4A; and

FIG. 4C is a view in cross section of a portion of the segment shown in FIG. 4A, illustrating a fastener connecting a backing ring segment to the seal plates shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are views in cross section illustrating alternate embodiments of spring seals according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In referencing features and orientations of components shown in the figures, the term radial is used with respect to a central axis, A, about which a rotating machine turns. Even though the component may be illustrated in a figure separate and apart from the rotating machine, it is to be understood that references to positioning, e.g., “radially inner” or “radially outer” correspond to relative positioning as though the component is installed. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary gas turbine engine 10 within which embodiments of the invention may be incorporated. The gas turbine engine 10 includes a compressor 12, several combustor assemblies arranged in a circular array in a can-annular design, a turbine section 15, and an engine shaft 17 by which the turbine 15 drives the compressor 12. The combustor assemblies each comprise fuel injectors (not shown) within a cap assembly 19, combustion chambers 20 and transition pieces 21. During operation, the compressor 12 intakes air 23 and provides a flow 24 of compressed air to combustor inlets 25 via a diffuser 26 and a combustor plenum 27. The fuel injectors within the cap assembly 19 mix fuel with the compressed air flow 24. This mixture burns in the combustion chamber 20 producing hot combustion gas, referred to as the working gas 28, that passes through the transition piece 21 to the turbine 15 via a sealed connection comprising inner and outer sealing interfaces. The sealing interfaces are positioned between an exit frame 35 of the transition piece 21 and an inlet section 32 of the turbine 15. The diffuser 26 and the plenum 27 may extend annularly about the engine shaft 17. The compressed air flow 24 entering each combustor plenum 27 has higher pressure than the working gas 28 in the associated combustion chamber 20 and in the transition piece 21.

Although embodiments according to the invention will be described in the context of the gas turbine engine 10, prior art features are first described to more clearly present embodiments of the invention. FIG. 2 provides a partial cross-sectional view of the gas turbine engine 10 for an embodiment in which a typical prior art design of the inner and outer sealing interfaces 29 and 31 is employed. Each sealing interface 29, 31 is positioned between a transition piece 21 and an inlet section 32 of the turbine 15. The inlet section 32 is upstream of the Row 1 vane segment 37 (130) which includes exemplary airfoil 38. Relative to the axis, A, of rotation about which the engine shaft 17 rotates, the inner and outer sealing interfaces 29, 31 are referred to as such because the inner sealing interface 29 is a shorter radial distance from the axis, A, than is the radial distance from the outer sealing interface 31 to the axis, A.

The inner sealing interface 29 includes a transition piece inner seal joint 45 and the sealing interface 31 includes a transition piece outer seal joint 46. The seal joints 45, 46 are each of a U-shape design having leg portions which capture a rail 50 extending radially outward and positioned along the downstream portion of the transition piece 21. This mating arrangement effects connection of the transition piece 21 to each of the inner and outer sealing interfaces 29, 31. To couple the transition piece 21 with the inlet section 32 via the sealing interfaces 29 and 31, the sealing interfaces each further comprise a segment 33 extending axially in the downstream direction.

The prior art axial segment 33 of the inner sealing interface 29 is of a U-shape comprising a pair of spaced-apart leg members referred to as an inner (hot) lip 35i, and an outer (cold) lip 35o. A slot 41 corresponds to the space between the leg members. The terms “inner” and “outer” are used to describe the relative positions of the lips 35i and 35o with respect to the flow path, F, of the hot combustion gas 38 passing through the transition piece 21 and the turbine 30.

The inner lip 35i is relatively close to, or in contact with, the flow path, F, while the outer lip 35o is farther away from the flow path than the inner lip 35i. The outer lip is shown as positioned along the outer side of the inner sealing interface 29 and outside the flow path. The inner and outer lips 35i, 35o of the inner sealing interface 29 each extend in the axial direction to engage a radially inner Row 1 vane rail 39 of the inlet section 32 within the slot 41.

The prior art axial segment 33 of the outer sealing interface 31 is also of a U-shape comprising a pair of spaced-apart leg members referred to as an inner (hot) lip 40i and an outer (cold) lip 40o. A slot 42 corresponds to the space between the inner and outer lips. As described for the lips 35i and 35o, the terms “inner” and “outer” are used to describe the relative positions of the lips 40i and 40o with respect to the flow path, F, through the transition piece 21 and the turbine 30. The inner lip 40i is relatively close to, or in contact with, the flow path, F, while the outer lip 40o is farther away from the flow path than the inner lip 40i. The outer lip is shown as positioned along the outer side of the outer sealing interface 31 and outside the flow path. The inner and outer lips 40i, 40o of the outer sealing interface 31 each extend in the axial direction to engage a radially outer Row 1 vane rail 43 of the inlet section 32, i.e., within the slot 42.

The slots 41 and 42 provide for axial movement and limited radial movement of the inner and outer Row 1 vane rails 39 and 43. In view of the transient and steady state deflections and thermal and dynamic loadings of the mating components (29, 39) and (31, 43), the floating interfaces incur wear. For the sealing interfaces 29 and 31 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the outer lip 35o of the inner sealing interface 29 experiences relatively high levels of vibration, compared to the outer lip 40o of the outer sealing interface 31. This is attributable, in part, to the relatively close proximity of the outer lip 35o to the turbine rotor. Consequently, the outer lip 35o experiences significant wear that can render the seal irreparable. This, in turn, may lead to high costs of replacing the seal as well as high repair costs for the Row 1 vanes. The need to repair and replace components limits the ability to extend the time between inspections of these components.

In describing embodiments of the invention, features of a gas turbine engine common to the afore-described prior art embodiment and embodiments according to the invention are identified with common reference numbers. According to a first embodiment of the invention, an exemplary gas turbine engine 60 and select components providing a sealing function between the transition piece 21 and the turbine inlet section are illustrated in the partial cross sectional views of FIGS. 3A and 3B. The gas turbine engine 60 has several features identical to those described for the gas turbine engine 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. However, in lieu of the inner and outer sealing interfaces 29 and 31, the gas turbine engine 60 has an inner sealing interface 61 and an outer sealing interface 63, each comprising a transition seal joint 65. Each of the sealing interfaces 61, 63 is positioned between a transition piece 21 and an inlet section 32 of a turbine 15. Although not shown, it is to be understood that the sealing interfaces 61 and 63 each extend a full 360 degrees along the transition piece 21 and the inlet section 32, to provide a sealing function completely about the flow path, F, of the hot combustion gas 28 traveling into the turbine inlet section 32.

The inlet section 32 is upstream of the Row 1 vane segment 37 which includes exemplary airfoil 44. Relative to the axis, A, of rotation about which the engine shaft 17 rotates, the inner and outer sealing interfaces 61, 63 are referred to as such because the inner sealing interface 61 is a shorter radial distance from the axis, A, than is the radial distance from the outer sealing interface 63 to the axis, A.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the inner sealing interface 61 may, like the inner sealing interface 29, include a transition piece inner seal joint 45 and the outer sealing interface 63 may, like the outer sealing interface 31, include a transition piece outer seal joint 46. The seal joints 45, 46 are each of a U-shape design having an upstream leg member 67 and a downstream leg member 69 spaced apart from one another to provide slots 70 and 71. The slot 70 corresponds to the space between the leg members 67 and 69 of the inner sealing interface 61, and the slot 72 corresponds to the space between the leg members 67 and 69 of the outer sealing interface 63. The inner seal joint 45 of the inner sealing interface 61 captures within the slot 70 a portion of the transition piece rail 50 extending outward from the flow path, F, which is positioned along the downstream portion of the transition piece 21. Similarly, the outer seal joint 46 of the outer sealing interface 63 captures within the slot 71 a portion of the transition piece rail 50 extending outward from the flow path, F. This mating arrangement between each of the inner and outer seal joints 45, 46 and portions of the transition piece rail 50 effects connection of the transition piece 21 to each of the inner and outer sealing interfaces 61, 63.

In lieu of having a U-shape axial segment 33, in order to couple the transition piece 21 with the inlet section 32 of the turbine 30 via the sealing interfaces 61, 63, each of the sealing interfaces further comprises a segment 73 extending axially in the downstream direction from the downstream leg member 69.

Each axial segment 73 comprises a flange, referred to as an inner lip 75, which extends along either the inner or the outer Row 1 vane rail 39, 43. In each case, the inner lip 75 is positioned along an inner surface 76 of the inner Row 1 vane rail 39 or along an inner surface 77 of the outer Row 1 vane rail 43. That is, the inner lips are in tangential, sliding contact with the inner surface 76 or 77 of one of the rails, as this accommodates limited axial and radial movement of the associated vane rail 39, 43 of the inlet section.

The inner and outer sealing interfaces 61, 63 each further include a spring seal 79 which may be a multi-layer assembly or a laminate structure. Each spring seal has first and second opposing ends 81, 83 and along the first end 81 there are formed a series of apertures 87 (see FIG. 4A) through which fasteners 91 pass to secure the spring seal 79 to the axial segment 73 of the sealing interface. As shown for the embodiment of FIG. 3B, the axial segment 73 may include a shoulder region 95 on which the spring seal 79 is mounted via the fasteners 91. The fasteners 91 may be threaded, with the shoulder region including a series of bores, each having mating threads along surfaces thereof. With each fastener passing through a spring seal aperture 87, the threaded bores each receive the threads formed on one of the fasteners to position the first end 81 of the spring seal 79 against the shoulder region 95. With the spring seals so attached, the second end 83 of each spring seal is a free end which extends to contact an outer surface 96 of the inner Row 1 vane rail 39 or to contact an outer surface 97 of the outer Row 1 vane rail 43. With this positioning the second end 83 of each spring seal 79 elastically flexes to press against one of the outer surfaces 96, 97 of a vane rail 39, 43. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the second end 83 of each spring seal 79 also includes a bend that forms a ridge or bead 99 along at least a portion of the region that extends along the outer surface 96, 97. As each seal 79 flexes against one of the surfaces 96, 97 sealing contact is maintained along a line of contact 101 between surfaces of the seal 79 and a surface 96 or 97.

The spring seal 79 could be a simple, flexible plate which can be affixed to the axial segment 79 or generally to the transition seal joint 65, e.g., to a downstream leg member 69. Further, the function provided by the spring seal in combination with an axial segment, e.g., the segment 73, can be provided without the transition seal joint 65 or separate and apart from a transition seal joint 65, e.g., as discrete components. In these and other embodiments the spring seal 79 could be a multi-layer structure. An example of such a spring seal structure is illustrated in the partial view of a finger seal assembly 98 shown in FIGS. 4A-4C. As for other embodiments of the spring seal 79, the finger seal assembly 98 extends 360 degrees along the transition piece 21 and also along the vane rails 39 and 43 of the inlet section 32. The assembly comprises a plurality of finger seal plates positioned against one another to inhibit leakage between high pressure and low pressure regions while providing flexibility in the seal. The illustrated embodiment includes first and second seal plates 110, 112 of substantially the same size, each positioned against the other to provide a segment of a 360 degree arc, e.g., 22.5 degrees which contacts one of the rails 39, 43. Each plate includes the aforementioned bead 99 extending circumferentially along the second end 83 so that when the assembly is installed as a spring seal 79 the bead 99 extends along the outer surface 96 or 97 of a vane rail 39 or 43. Each plate also includes a series of metered holes 100 aligned with metered holes formed in the other plate so that, when each plate 110, 112 is positioned against the other, co-aligned pairs of holes 100 allow a controlled flow through the plates.

With reference to FIG. 4B, each plate 110, 112 includes a series of partial cuts 118 (indicated by dash lines) extending from near a radially inner edge 113 along the first end 81 of the assembled spring seal to a radially outer edge 115 along the second end 83 of the assembled spring seal to provide flexibility to the plate. The angular positions of the cuts 118 of the plate 112 (about the axis, A) are staggered with respect to the angular positions of the cuts 118 of the plate 110 so that, when the plates are each positioned one against the other to provide a segment of a 360 degree arc, the cuts 118 do not coincide. This staggered arrangement permits use of cuts to provide flexibility of each plate while limiting leakage between high pressure and low pressure regions.

The plates 110, 112 are fixedly assembled against one another with a backing ring segment 120 subtending the entire segment of the arc. The backing ring segment 120 is positioned along the radially inner edge 113 and may be fastened with a series of rivets 122 that pass through a corresponding series of apertures 122 formed through each of the plates 110 and 112 as illustrated in FIG. 4C.

Examples of a sealing interface, an associated axial segment and a spring seal have been described. Numerous other designs for the axial segment and for attachment of the spring seal are within the scope of the invention. For example, FIG. 5A illustrates a sealing interface 145 with a spring seal 79a similar to the spring seal 79 but configured to have points of attachment on the downstream leg 69 of a seal joint 45, 46, adjacent the axial segment 73. The illustrated spring seal 79a may be constructed substantially in accord with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 except that (i) the portion of each plate along the first end includes a bend 147 to effect mounting of the spring seal on the downstream leg 69 while permitting the second end 83 to extend over the outer surface 96 or 97 of a vane rail 39 or 43; and (ii) a portion of each plate, between the first end 81 and the bead 99 includes a curve which enhances the force applied to the associated vane rail 39 or 43.

FIG. 5B illustrates another sealing interface 155 having a spring seal 79b similar to the spring seals 79 and 79a, and also having points of attachment on the downstream leg 69 of a seal joint 45, 46, but with the points of attachment spaced a substantial or a maximum distance away from the axial segment 73. The illustrated spring seal 79b also may be constructed substantially in accord with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 except that the portion of each plate along the first end includes a bend 157 to effect mounting of the first end 81 of the spring seal on the downstream leg 69 while permitting the second end 83 to extend over the outer surface 96 or 97 of a vane rail 39 or 43.

Embodiments of a sealing connection component have been illustrated. The component may be positioned along an interface between an exhaust gas transition section and an inlet section of a turbine rotatable about a central axis. With the transition section including a rail which extends circumferentially about the axis, and the turbine inlet section may include a turbine flange extending circumferentially about the axis and extending upstream in an axial direction toward the transition section for contact with the sealing connection component when the sealing connection component is positioned at the interface. With the turbine flange having inner and outer opposing surfaces, the inner surface faces the axis and the outer surface faces away from the axis. The sealing connection component includes a U-shaped component, a seal flange portion and a flexible strip.

The U-shaped section includes first and second leg portions extending in a common direction so that, when the sealing connection component is positioned at the interface, each leg extends toward the axis and along a different side of the rail. The first and second legs also extend circumferentially about the axis. The seal flange portion is connected to the U-shaped section and these may be formed as a unitary body. When the sealing connection component is positioned at the interface, the U-shaped section (i) extends circumferentially about the axis with the second leg and (ii) extends in a direction away from the first leg with a surface of the seal flange portion facing the inner surface of the turbine flange, thereby stabilizing the sealing connection component with respect to the rail.

The flexible strip extends circumferentially along with the seal flange portion and is positioned radially outward with respect to the seal flange portion of the U-shaped section. Noting that each leg is positioned along or against a different side of the rail, the flexible strip also extends in a direction along the axis between the U-shaped section and the turbine flange to act as a spring member pressing against the outer surface of the turbine flange. When the sealing connection component is installed at the interface between the transition section and the inlet piece of a turbine section, the combination of the U-shaped section and the flexible strip provide a seal about a volume extending from the axis to the installed U-shaped section.

In the afore-described embodiment, the transition section includes a plurality of transition pieces each connected to channel exhaust gas flow from a combustion chamber to the turbine section. Each transition piece includes an upstream end providing connection to the combustion chamber and a downstream end adjoining the inlet piece of the turbine section. The downstream end including a transition exit frame for connection to the sealing connection, wherein the rail extends along a span of one or more transition exit frames. When the sealing connection component is installed at the interface between the transition section and the turbine inlet section, the combination of the U-shaped section and the flexible strip provide a seal about a volume extending from the axis to the installed U-shaped section.

Also in accord with the illustrated embodiments, a transition seal assembly has been described for a gas turbine engine. Exhaust gas generated in a combustion chamber flows along the transition seal assembly and toward the engine turbine. The assembly has first and second opposing ends with a U-shape body member (e.g., seal joint 45 or 46) at the first end and a seal flange (e.g., flange 75) extending along the second end of the assembly. The transition seal assembly is positionable between a transition section downstream of the combustion chamber and an inlet flange attached to an inlet section of the turbine, where the inlet flange is understood to extend circumferentially about the axis of rotation of the turbine. The seal flange extends away from the first end of the assembly and along an axial direction defined by the turbine axis of rotation. A flexible member (e.g., spring seal 79) is affixed to the body member and extending along the seal flange so that, when the transition seal assembly is positioned between the transition section and the flange of the inlet section, the flexible member is positioned radially outward from the seal flange with the flexible member making contact with the flange of the turbine inlet section.

With the transition seal assembly installed between the transition section and the turbine inlet section, the U-shaped body member extends circumferentially about the turbine axis. The U-shaped body member comprises a pair of parallel portions that fit about a rail surface of the transition section. The rail surface extends radially outward with respect to the axis and extends circumferentially about the axis to effect connection between the transition seal assembly and the transition member.

The spring seal may comprise two or more finger seal plates positioned against one another to inhibit leakage when placed between high pressure and low pressure regions of the engine. The described plates form a segment of an arc for positioning about the axis, it being understood that there may be a series of such segments positioned about the axis to extend the arc 360 degrees. The finger seal plates may each include a series of cuts or gaps arranged so that when, the plates are positioned against one another to inhibit leakage, the positions of the gaps on each plate are staggered with respect to the relative positions of the gaps on the other plate.

While several embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes and substitutions may be made without departing from the invention herein. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A sealing connection component for an interface between a transition section that carries an outflow of exhaust gas generated in a turbine combustion system and an inlet section of a turbine rotatable about a central axis, the transition section including a rail which extends circumferentially about the axis, the turbine inlet section including a turbine flange extending circumferentially about the axis and extending in an axial direction toward the transition section for contact with the sealing connection component when the sealing connection component is positioned at the interface, the turbine flange having inner and outer opposing surfaces with the inner surface facing the axis and the outer surface facing away from the axis, the sealing connection component comprising: a U-shaped section including first and second leg portions extending in a common direction so that, when the sealing connection component is positioned at the interface, each leg extends toward the axis and along a different side of the transition section rail, and the first and second legs also extend circumferentially about the axis,a seal flange portion connected to the U-shaped section and which, when the sealing connection component is positioned at the interface, (i) extends circumferentially about the axis with the second leg and (ii) extends in a direction away from the first leg with a surface of the seal flange portion facing the inner surface of the turbine flange; anda flexible strip extending circumferentially along with and positioned radially outward with respect to the seal flange portion so that, with each leg extending along a different side of the rail, the flexible strip also extends in a direction along the axis between the U-shaped section and the turbine flange to act as a spring member pressing against the outer surface of the turbine flange.
2. The component of claim 1 wherein the transition section includes a plurality of transition pieces 28 each connected to channel exhaust gas flow from a combustion chamber and the turbine section, each transition piece including an upstream end (44) providing connection to the combustion chamber and a downstream end 46 adjoining the inlet piece of the turbine section, the downstream end including a transition exit frame for connection to the sealing connection, wherein the rail extends along a span of one or more transition exit frames.
3. The component of claim 1 wherein, when the sealing connection component is installed at the interface between the transition section and the inlet section of the turbine, the combination of the U-shaped section and the flexible strip provide a seal about a volume extending from the axis to the installed U-shaped section.
4. A transition seal assembly for a gas turbine engine, along which exhaust gas generated in a combustion chamber can flow toward a turbine of the engine, the seal comprising: first and second opposing ends with a U-shape body member at the first end and a seal flange extending along the second end, the transition seal assembly positionable between a transition section downstream of the combustion chamber and an inlet flange attached to an inlet section of the turbine, which inlet flange extends circumferentially about an axis of rotation of the turbine, the seal flange (i) extending away from the first end and along an axial direction defined by the axis of rotation; anda flexible member affixed to the body member and extending along the seal flange so that, when the transition seal assembly is positioned between the transition section and the flange of the inlet section, the flexible member is positioned radially outward from the seal flange with the flexible member making contact with the flange of the turbine inlet section.
5. The transition seal assembly of claim 4 wherein, with the assembly installed between the transition section and the turbine inlet section, the U-shaped body member extends circumferentially about the turbine axis, and the U-shaped body member comprises a pair of parallel portions that fit about a rail surface of the transition section, which rail surface extends radially outward with respect to the axis and extends circumferentially about the axis to effect connection between the transition seal assembly and the transition member.
6. The transition seal assembly of claim 4 wherein the flexible member is a spring seal.
7. The transition seal assembly of claim 6 wherein the spring seal comprises first and second finger seal plates positioned against one another to inhibit leakage when placed between high pressure and low pressure regions, the plates forming a segment of an arc for positioning about the axis.
8. The transition seal assembly of claim 7 wherein each finger seal plate includes a series of gaps arranged so that, when the plates are positioned against one another to inhibit leakage, the gaps on each plate are staggered with respect to gaps on the other plate.

FLEXIBLE COMPONENT PROVIDING SEALING CONNECTION

Information

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CPC

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Abstract

Description

Claims