Patent Grant
12352176
The present disclosure relates generally to turbine shroud assemblies, and more specifically to sealing of turbine shroud assemblies used with gas turbine engines.
Gas turbine engines are used to power aircraft, watercraft, power generators, and the like. Gas turbine engines typically include a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine. The compressor compresses air drawn into the engine and delivers high pressure air to the combustor. In the combustor, fuel is mixed with the high pressure air and is ignited. Products of the combustion reaction in the combustor are directed into the turbine where work is extracted to drive the compressor and, sometimes, an output shaft. Left-over products of the combustion are exhausted out of the turbine and may provide thrust in some applications.
Compressors and turbines typically include alternating stages of static vane assemblies and rotating wheel assemblies. The rotating wheel assemblies include disks carrying blades around their outer edges. When the rotating wheel assemblies turn, tips of the blades move along blade tracks included in static shrouds that are arranged around the rotating wheel assemblies. Such static shrouds may be coupled to an engine case that surrounds the compressor, the combustor, and the turbine.
Some shrouds positioned in the turbine may be exposed to high temperatures from products of the combustion reaction in the combustor. Such shrouds sometimes include components made from materials that have different coefficients of thermal expansion. Due to the differing coefficients of thermal expansion, the components of some turbine shrouds expand at different rates when exposed to combustion products. In some examples, sealing between and coupling such components may present challenges.
The present disclosure may comprise one or more of the following features and combinations thereof.
A turbine shroud assembly adapted for use with a gas turbine engine may include a carrier segment, a blade track segment, and a seal system. The carrier segment may be arranged circumferentially at least partway around an axis. The blade track segment may be arranged circumferentially at least partway around the axis to define a portion of a gas path of the gas turbine engine. The seal system may be arranged radially between the carrier segment and the blade track segment to block gases from flowing between the carrier segment and the blade track segment.
In some embodiments, the carrier segment may include an outer wall, a first support wall that extends radially inward from the outer wall, and a second support wall that extends radially inward from the outer wall. The second support wall may extend radially inward from the outer wall at a location spaced apart axially from the first support wall to define an attachment-receiving space.
In some embodiments, the first support wall may be formed to include a radially-inwardly opening first channel, a radially-inwardly opening second channel spaced apart axially from the first channel, and at least one buffer air passageway that extends radially into the first support wall axially between the first channel and the second channel. The first channel and the second channel each extend circumferentially relative to the axis. The at least one buffer air passageway is configured to discharge buffer air radially inward away from the carrier segment.
In some embodiments, the blade track segment may include a shroud wall and an attachment feature. The shroud wall may extend circumferentially partway around the axis. The attachment feature may extend radially outward from the shroud wall into the attachment-receiving space formed in the carrier segment.
In some embodiments, the seal system may include a buffer air seal assembly located radially between the carrier segment and the shroud wall of the blade track segment to block gases from flowing between the carrier segment and the blade track segment into the attachment-receiving space of the carrier segment. The buffer air seal assembly may include a first seal arranged in the first channel and engaged with the shroud wall and a second seal arranged in the second channel and engaged with the shroud wall.
In some embodiments, the first and second seals may each include a first seal member and a second seal member. The first seal member and the second seal member may each extend circumferentially at least partway about the axis. The second seal member may be arranged radially outward of the first seal member. The second seal member may be arranged radially outward of the first seal member so that the second seal member is positioned out of a direct flow path of the buffer air discharged by the at least one buffer air passageway to reduce a risk of oxidation of the second seal member. The second seal member may be compressed between the carrier segment and the first seal member and urge the first seal member into engagement with the shroud wall of the blade track segment.
In some embodiments, the second seal member may comprise a braid of metallic material. In some embodiments, the second seal member may have a rectangular cross-section when viewed circumferentially relative to the axis. In some embodiments, the first seal member may comprise a single strand of solid metallic material.
In some embodiments, the second seal member may be a hollow tube of metallic material. The hollow tube may be formed to include at least one notch. The notch may extend through a wall of the hollow tube.
In some embodiments, the first and second channel may cooperate to define a partition wall therebetween. The partition wall may extend circumferentially relative to the axis. The at least one buffer air passageway may extend radially through the partition wall.
In some embodiments, the first channel may be defined by a first partition-wall surface of the partition wall, a first end surface, and a first support-wall surface. The first end surface may extend axially from the first wall surface. The first support-wall surface may extend from the first end surface towards the blade track segment.
In some embodiments, the first support-wall surface may have a radially-extending section and an angled section. The radially-extending section of the first support-wall surface may extend radially-inward from the first end surface. The angled section of the first support-wall surface may extend radially-inward and axially forward from the radially-extending section of the first support-wall surface.
In some embodiments, the second channel may be defined by a second partition-wall surface of the partition wall, a second end surface, and a second support-wall surface. The second end surface may extend axially from the second partition-wall surface. The second support-wall surface may extend from the second end surface towards the blade track segment.
In some embodiments, the second support-wall surface may have a radially-extending section and an angled section. The radially-extending section of the second support-wall surface may extend radially-inward from the second end surface. The angled section of the second support-wall surface may extend radially-inward and axially aft from the radially-extending section of the second support-wall surface.
In some embodiments, the first partition-wall surface of the partition wall may have a radially-extending section that extends radially-inward from the first end surface and an angled section that extends radially-inward and axially aft from the radially-extending section of the first partition-wall surface. In some embodiments, the second partition-wall surface of the partition wall may have a radially-extending section that extends radially-inward from the second end surface and an angled section that extends radially-inward and axially forward from the radially-extending section of the second partition-wall surface.
In some embodiments, the second support wall may be formed to include a radially-inwardly opening third channel. The third channel may extend circumferentially relative to the axis. The turbine shroud assembly may further comprise a third seal arranged in the third channel.
In some embodiments, the third seal may include a first seal member and a second seal member. The first seal member and the second seal member may each extend circumferentially at least partway about the axis. The second seal member may be arranged radially outward of the first seal member.
In some embodiments, the second support wall may be further formed to include a radially-inwardly opening fourth channel spaced apart axially from the radially-inwardly opening third channel. The fourth channel may extend circumferentially relative to the axis.
In some embodiments, the turbine shroud assembly may further comprise a fourth seal arranged in the fourth channel. The fourth seal may include a first seal member and a second seal member. The first seal member and the second seal member may each extend circumferentially at least partway about the axis. The second seal member may be arranged radially outward of the first seal member.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method may comprise providing a carrier segment, providing a blade track segment, and providing a buffer air seal assembly. The carrier segment may be arranged circumferentially at least partway around an axis. The blade track segment may be arranged circumferentially at least partway around the axis.
In some embodiments, the carrier segment may be formed to include a radially-inwardly opening first channel, a radially-inwardly opening second channel spaced apart axially from the radially-inwardly opening first channel, and at least one buffer air passageway. The first channel and the second channel may each extend circumferentially relative to the axis. The at least one buffer air passageway may extend radially into the first support wall axially between the first channel and the second channel.
In some embodiments, the blade track segment may have a shroud wall and an attachment feature. The shroud wall may extend circumferentially partway around the axis. The attachment feature may extend radially outward from the shroud wall.
In some embodiments, the buffer air seal assembly may include a first seal and a second seal. The method may further include arranging the first seal of the buffer air seal assembly in the first channel formed in the carrier segment and arranging the second seal of the buffer air seal assembly in the second channel formed in the carrier segment.
In some embodiments, the method may further include arranging the blade track segment adjacent to the carrier segment. The blade track segment may be arranged adjacent to the carrier segment so that the buffer air seal assembly is radially between the carrier segment and the shroud wall of the blade track segment to block gases from flowing between the carrier segment and the blade track segment.
In some embodiments, the method may further include discharging a flow of buffer air through the at least one buffer air passageway. The method may include discharging a flow of buffer air through the at least one buffer air passageway into the first channel.
In some embodiments, the first and second seals may each include a first seal member and a second seal member. The first seal member and the second seal member may each extend circumferentially at least partway about the axis.
In some embodiments, arranging the first seal in the first channel may include arranging the second seal member in the first channel before arranging the first seal member in the first channel so that the second seal member is located radially outward of the first seal member. In some embodiments, arranging the second seal in the second channel may include arranging the second seal member in the second channel before arranging the first seal member in the second channel so that the second seal member is located radially outward of the first seal member.
In some embodiments, the method may further include compressing the second seal member of the first and second seals between the carrier segment and the first seal member. The method may further include compressing the second seal member of the first and second seals between the carrier segment and the first seal member to urge the first seal member into engagement with the shroud wall of the blade track segment.
In some embodiments, the first and second channel may cooperate to define a partition wall therebetween. The partition wall may extend circumferentially relative to the axis. The at least one buffer air passageway may extend radially through the partition wall.
In some embodiments, the method may further include providing at least one retainer and inserting the at least one retainer axially into the carrier segment and through the attachment feature of the blade track segment. The method may include inserting the at least one retainer axially into the carrier segment and through the attachment feature of the blade track segment to couple the blade track segment to the carrier segment.
These and other features of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description of the illustrative embodiments.
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to a number of illustrative embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same.
A turbine shroud segment 22 is shown in
The blade track segment 26 is a ceramic matrix composite component configured to directly face the high temperatures of the gas path 25 of the gas turbine engine 10 to define a portion of the gas path 25. The carrier segment 24 is a metallic support component configured to interface with other metallic components of the gas turbine engine 10, such as the case 17, to support the blade track segment 26 to radially locate the blade track segment 26 relative to the axis 11. The mount system 28 includes at least one retainer 78, 80, and illustratively the mount system 28 includes two retainers 78, 80 that each extend axially into the blade track segment 26 and the carrier segment 24 to couple the blade track segment 26 to the carrier segment 24. The seal system 30 is arranged radially between the carrier segment 24 and the blade track segment 26 to seal a cavity 48 (sometimes referred to as an attachment-receiving space) defined by the carrier segment 24 to block gases from flowing between the carrier segment 24 and the blade track segment 26 and into the cavity 48.
The seal system 30 includes a forward seal assembly 30F located radially between the carrier segment 24 and the blade track segment 26 on a forward side of the blade track segment 26 and an aft seal assembly 30A located radially between the carrier segment 24 and the blade track segment 26 on an aft side of the blade track segment 26. The forward seal assembly 30F includes a first seal 32 and a second seal 34 each arranged in a corresponding radially-inwardly opening channel 52, 54 formed in the carrier segment 24. The aft seal assembly 30A includes a third seal 36 arranged in a corresponding channel 56 formed in the carrier segment 24.
Each seal 32, 34, 36 includes a first seal member 32A, 34A, 36A and a second seal member 32B, 34B, 36B as shown in
During operation of a gas turbine engine 10, the hot, high-pressure products directed into the turbine 18 from the combustor 16 flow across a radially-inwardly opening surface of a shroud wall 70 of the blade track segment 26 that defines a portion of the gas path 25. The seal system 30 blocks the hot, high-pressure products from flowing into the cavity 48 of the turbine shroud segment 22. Some turbine shroud assemblies use seals having at least two seal members, where one of the seals is configured to be compressed between the carrier segment 24 and the blade track segment 26 to bias the other seal member(s) into engagement with the shroud wall 70 of the blade track segment 26, thereby improving the seal therebetween.
In some embodiments, the carrier segment 24 may also include buffer air passageways to direct relatively high-pressure air (sometimes referred to as buffer air) into the channel(s) formed in the carrier segment 24 to distribute the high-pressure air along the seal members. The high-pressure air supplied to the channel(s) is used help keep the gases in the gas path 25 out of the cavity 48 in the event of a seal failure. The high-pressure or buffer air is usually jetted through the seal members arranged in the channel(s), which may cause the seal members to wear, specifically oxidize, significantly reducing the overall life of the seal members and the effectiveness of the seal members.
Therefore, the seals 32, 34, 36 are each arranged in their own discrete channel 52, 54, 56 formed in the carrier segment 24 as shown in
The arrangement of the seals 32, 34, 36 also allows the buffer air to be discharged between the seals 32, 34, 36. As shown in
Instead of jetting the buffer air through the seal members 32A, 32B, 34A, 34B of each seal 32, 34, the buffer air passageway(s) discharges the buffer air into a space or buffer air cavity 51 axially between the seals 32, 34 as suggested by arrows A in
The buffer air seal assembly 30F includes the first seal 32 arranged in a first channel 52 formed in the carrier segment 24 and the second seal 34 arranged in a second channel 54 formed in the carrier segment 24 as shown in
The buffer air passageway 50A, 50B, 50C discharges the buffer air axially between the first channel 52, i.e. the first seal 32, and the second channel 54, i.e. the second seal 34 as shown in
Each seal 32, 34 includes a first seal member 32A, 34A and a second seal member 32B, 34B as shown in
In the illustrative embodiment, the aft seal assembly 30A includes the third seal 36 arranged in a third channel 56 formed in the carrier segment 24 as shown in
Like the seals 32, 34 of the forward seal assembly 30F, the third and fourth seals 36, 38 of the aft seal assembly 30A′ each include a first seal member 36A, 38A and a second seal member 36B, 38B as shown in
In the illustrative embodiment, buffer air is only discharged between the first and second seals 32, 34 in the forward seal assembly 30F—also referred to as a buffer air seal assembly 30F. The carrier segment 24 only includes buffer air passageways 50A, 50B, 50C at the buffer air seal assembly 30F to discharge buffer air axially between the first and second seals 32, 34. In some embodiments, the carrier segment 24 may include buffer air passageways 50A, 50B, 50C that discharge buffer air axially between the seals 36, 38 of the aft seal assembly 30A′.
The first seal member 32A, 34A, 36A, 38A of each seal 32, 34, 36, 38 is a wire seal or a single strand of solid metallic material. The second seal member 32B, 34B, 36B, 38B of each seal 32, 34, 36, 38 is elastic or compliant such that the second seal member 32B, 34B, 36B, 38B biases or urges the first seal member 32A, 34A, 36A, 38A into engagement with an outer surface 70S of the shroud wall 70 of the blade track segment 26 when compressed between the carrier segment 24 and the first seal member 32A, 34A, 36A, 38A.
In the illustrative embodiment, the second seal member 32B, 34B, 36B, 38B is a braid of metallic material, sometimes also referred to as a braid seal. The second seal member 32B, 34B, 36B, 38B is a single braid of metallic material in the illustrative embodiment. In some embodiments, the second seal member 32B, 34B, 36B, 38B comprises a ceramic-containing core surrounded by the braid of metallic material. The braid of metallic material may form an overbraid sheath around the ceramic core.
The channels 52, 54, 56, 58 formed in the carrier segment 24 are shaped so that the second seal member 32B, 34B, 36B, 38B is positioned out of a direct flow path of the buffer air flowing between the carrier segment 24 and the blade track segment 26. In the illustrative embodiment, the third channel 56 has a similar shape as the second channel 54 and the fourth channel 58 has a similar shape as the first channel 52.
The first channel 52 is defined by a first partition-wall surface 53A of the first partition wall 53, a first end surface 62 that extends axially from the first partition-wall surface 53A, and a first support-wall surface 63 that extends from the first end surface 62 towards the blade track segment 26 as shown in
The second channel 54 is defined by a second partition-wall surface 53B of the first partition wall 53, a second end surface 64 that extends axially from the second partition-wall surface 53B, and a second support-wall surface 65 that extends from the second end surface 64 towards the blade track segment 26 as shown in
With the seal system 30 of the present disclosure initially described above, the gas turbine engine 10 is now described in more detail. The gas turbine engine 10 includes a fan 12, a compressor 14, a combustor 16, and a turbine 18 as shown in
The turbine 18 includes at least one turbine wheel assembly 19 and a turbine shroud 20 positioned to surround the turbine wheel assembly 19 as shown in
In the illustrative embodiment, the turbine shroud 20 is made up of a number of turbine shroud segment assemblies 22 that each extend circumferentially partway around the axis 11 and cooperate to surround the turbine wheel assembly 19. In other embodiments, the turbine shroud 20 is annular and non-segmented to extend fully around the axis 11 and surround the turbine wheel assembly 19. In yet other embodiments, certain components of the turbine shroud 20 are segmented while other components are annular and non-segmented.
Each turbine shroud segment 22 includes the carrier segment 24, blade track segment, the mount system 28, and the seal system 30 as shown in
The carrier segment 24 includes an outer wall 40, a pair of hangers 42, a forward support wall 44, and an aft support wall 46 as shown in
In the illustrative embodiment, the carrier segment 24 further includes a first intermediate support wall 45 and a second intermediate support wall 47 as shown in
The forward and aft support walls 44, 46 of the carrier segment 24 each include corresponding channels 52, 54, 56 as shown in
In some embodiments, the aft support wall 46 is formed to include the third channel 56 and the fourth channel 58 for the two seals 36, 38 of the aft seal assembly 30A′ as shown in
In the illustrative embodiment, only the forward support wall 44 includes the buffer air passageway 50A, 50B, 50C as shown in
In the illustrative embodiment, each buffer air passageway 50A, 50B, 50C extends from an outer cavity 60A, 60B, 60C formed in the outer wall 40 of the carrier segment 24 as shown in
In the illustrative embodiment, the first channel 52 is defined by a first partition-wall surface 53A of the first partition wall 53, a first end surface 62 that extends axially from the first partition-wall surface 53A, and a first support-wall surface 63 that extends from the first end surface 62 towards the blade track segment 26 as shown in
In the illustrative embodiment, the second channel 54 is defined by a second partition-wall surface 53B of the first partition wall 53, a second end surface 64 that extends axially from the second partition-wall surface 53B, and a second support-wall surface 65 that extends from the second end surface 64 towards the blade track segment 26 as shown in
In the illustrative embodiment, the third and fourth channels 56, 58 have similar shapes to the first and second channels 52, 54 as shown in
The blade track segment 26 includes the shroud wall 70 and the attachment feature 72 as shown in
In the illustrative embodiment, the forward support wall 44 extends radially inward from the outer wall 40 axially forward of the first attachment flange 74 of the blade track segment 26. The aft support wall 46 extends radially inward from the outer wall 40 axially aft of the second attachment flange 76 of the blade track segment 26. The first intermediate support wall 45 extends radially inward from the outer wall 40 axially aft of the first attachment flange 74 so that the first attachment flange 74 is axially between the forward support wall 44 and the first intermediate support wall 45. The second intermediate support wall 47 extends radially inward from the outer wall 40 axially forward of the second attachment flange 76 of the blade track segment 26 so that the second attachment flange 76 is located axially between the aft support wall 46 and the second intermediate support wall 47.
The mount system 28 includes at least one retainer 78, 80, illustratively two retainers 78, 80 that each extend axially into the blade track segment 26 and the carrier segment 24 to couple the blade track segment 26 to the carrier segment 24. The retainers 78, 80 extend axially into the forward support wall 44, through the first attachment flange 74, the intermediate support walls 43, 45, and the second attachment flange 76, and into the aft support wall 46 of the carrier segment 24 so as to couple the blade track segment 26 to the carrier segment 24.
In the illustrative embodiment, the mount system 28 includes the retainers 78, 80 and corresponding retainer plugs 82, 84 as shown in
In the illustrative embodiment, the retainers 78, 80 are both split pins as shown in
A method of assembling and using the turbine shroud segment 22 may include several steps. The method includes arranging the seals 32, 34, 36 in the corresponding channels 52, 54, 56 before arranging the blade track segment 26 adjacent to the carrier segment 24. The method includes arranging the first seal 32 in the first channel 52, arranging the second seal 34 in the second channel 54, and arranging the third seal 36 in the third channel 56. In some embodiments, the method may further include arranging the fourth seal 38 in the fourth channel 58.
The seals 32, 34, 36 may be arranged in the corresponding channels 52, 54, 56 in any order. In other words, the first seal 32 may be arranged in the first channel 52 first and the third seal 36 may be arranged in the third channel 56 last. Alternatively, the third seal 36 may be arranged in the third channel 56 first and the first seal 32 arranged in the first channel 52 last. In some embodiments, the fourth seal 38 may be arranged in the fourth channel 58 before the other seals 32, 34, 36 are arranged in the respective channels 52, 54, 56. Alternatively, the fourth seal 38 may be arranged in the fourth channel 58 last.
The step of arranging the first seal 32 in the first channel 52 includes inserting or arranging the second seal member 32B of the first seal 32 in the first channel 52. Once the second seal member 32B is arranged in the first channel 52, the first seal member 32A of the first seal 32 is inserted or arranged in the first channel 52 so that second seal member 32B is located radially outward of the first seal member 32A.
The step of arranging the second seal 34 in the second channel 54 includes inserting or arranging the second seal member 34B of the second seal 34 in the second channel 54. Once the second seal member 34B is arranged in the second channel 54, the first seal member 34A of the second seal 34 is inserted or arranged in the second channel 54 so that second seal member 34B is located radially outward of the first seal member 34A.
The step of arranging the third seal 36 in the third channel 56 includes inserting or arranging the second seal member 36B of the third seal 36 in the third channel 56. Once the second seal member 36B is arranged in the third channel 56, the first seal member 36A of the third seal 36 is inserted or arranged in the third channel 56 so that second seal member 36B is located radially outward of the first seal member 36A.
Additionally, for the embodiment of
Once all the seals 32, 34, 36 are arranged in the corresponding channels 52, 54, 56, the blade track segment 26 is arranged adjacent to the carrier segment 24 so that the seals 32, 34, 36 of the forward and aft seal assemblies 30F, 30A are radially between the carrier segment 24 and the shroud wall 70 of the blade track segment 26 to block gases in the gas path from flowing between the carrier segment 24 and the blade track segment 26. The blade track segment 26 is arranged adjacent to the carrier segment 24 so that the attachment feature 72 extends into the cavity 48. The blade track segment 26 is arranged adjacent to the carrier segment 24 so that the first attachment flange 74 and the second attachment flange 76 extend into sections of the cavity 48.
In some embodiments, the method further includes inserting retainers 78, 80 into the carrier segment 24 and the blade track segment 26 to couple the blade track segment 26 to the carrier segment 24. The method includes inserting one retainer 78 axially into the carrier segment 24 and through the attachment feature 72 of the blade track segment 26 to couple the blade track segment 26 to the carrier segment 24. The method further includes inserting another retainer 80 axially into the carrier segment 24 and through the attachment feature 72 of the blade track segment 26 to couple the blade track segment 26 to the carrier segment 24. The second retainer 80 is inserted at a location spaced apart circumferentially from the first retainer 78.
The method further includes compressing the second seal member 32B, 34B of the first and second seals 32, 34 between the carrier segment 24 and the first seal member 32A, 34A to urge the first seal member 32A, 34A into engagement with the shroud wall 70 of the blade track segment 26. The method further includes compressing the second seal members 32B, 34B, 36B of each seal 32, 34, 36 between the carrier segment 24 and the first seal member 32A, 34A, 36A to urge the first seal member 32A, 34A, 36A into engagement with the shroud wall 70 of the blade track segment 26.
The method further includes discharging a flow of buffer air through the at least one buffer air passageway 50A, 50B, 50C as suggested in
The buffer air discharged into the buffer air cavity 51 defined between the two seals 32, 34 establishes a higher pressure P1 in the buffer air cavity 51 than the pressure P2 in the region axially forward of the buffer air seal assembly 30F and the pressure P3 in the cavity 48 as shown in
Another embodiment of a turbine shroud segment 222 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in
The turbine shroud segment 222 includes a carrier segment 224 arranged circumferentially at least partway around an axis 11 of the gas turbine engine 10, a blade track segment 226 arranged circumferentially at least partway around the axis 11, and a seal system 230 as shown in
The seal system 230 includes a forward seal assembly 230F located radially between the carrier segment 224 and the blade track segment 226 on a forward side of the blade track segment 226 and an aft seal assembly 230A located radially between the carrier segment 224 and the blade track segment 226 on an aft side of the blade track segment 226 as shown in
The buffer air seal assembly 230F includes the first seal 232 arranged in a first channel 252 formed in the carrier segment 224 and the second seal 234 arranged in a second channel 254 formed in the carrier segment 224 as shown in
The buffer air passageway 250A discharges the buffer air axially between the first channel 252, i.e. the first seal 232, and the second channel 254, i.e. the second seal 234 as shown in
Each seal 232, 234, 236, 238 includes a first seal member 232A, 234A, 236A, 238A and a second seal member 232B, 234B, 236B, 238B as shown in
In the illustrative embodiment, the first seal member 232A, 234A, 236A, 238A of each seal 232, 234, 236, 238 is a wire seal or a single strand of solid metallic material. The second seal member 232B, 234B, 236B, 238B of each seal 232, 234, 236, 238 is elastic or compliant such that the second seal member 232B, 234B, 236B, 238B biases or urges the first seal member 232A, 234A, 236A, 238A into engagement with the shroud wall 270 of the blade track segment 226 when compressed between the carrier segment 224 and the first seal member 232A, 234A, 236A, 238A as suggested in
In the illustrative embodiment, the second seal member 232B, 234B, 236B, 238B is a braid of metallic material as shown in
The carrier segment 224 includes an outer wall 240, a pair of hangers 242, a forward support wall 244, and an aft support wall 246 as shown in
The forward and aft support walls 244, 246 of the carrier segment 224 each include channels 252, 254, 256, 258 as shown in
The buffer air passageway 250A, 50B, 50C extends from one of the outer cavities 260A, 260B, 260C formed in the outer wall 240 of the carrier segment 224 as shown in
The first channel 252 is defined by a first partition-wall surface 253A of the first partition wall 253, a first end surface 262 that extends axially from the first partition-wall surface 53A, and a first support-wall surface 263 that extends from the first end surface 262 towards the blade track segment 226 as shown in
The first support-wall surface 263 has a radially-extending section 263R that extends radially-inward from the first end surface 262 and an angled section 263A that extends radially-inward and axially forward from the radially-extending section 263R of the first support-wall surface 263. The second support-wall surface 65 has a radially-extending section 265R that extends radially-inward from the second end surface 264 and an angled section 265A that extends radially-inward and axially aft from the radially-extending section 265R of the second support-wall surface 265.
In the illustrative embodiment, the first partition-wall surface 253A of the first partition wall 253 has a radially-extending section 253AR that extends radially-inward from the first end surface 262 and an angled section 253AA that extends radially-inward and axially aft from the radially-extending section 253AR of the first partition-wall surface 253A as shown in
A method of assembling and using the turbine shroud segment 222 may include several steps. The method includes arranging the seals 232, 234, 236, 238 in the corresponding channels 252, 254, 256, 258 before arranging the blade track segment 226 adjacent to the carrier segment 224. The method includes arranging the first seal 232 in the first channel 252, arranging the second seal 234 in the second channel 254, arranging the third seal 236 in the third channel 256, and arranging the fourth seal 238 in the fourth channel 258.
The step of arranging the first seal 232 in the first channel 252 includes inserting or arranging the second seal member 232B of the first seal 232 in the first channel 252. Once the second seal member 232B is arranged in the first channel 252, the first seal member 232A of the first seal 232 is inserted or arranged in the first channel 252 so that second seal member 232B is located radially outward of the first seal member 232A. This process may be repeated for the other seals 234, 236, 238.
Once all the seals 232, 234, 236, 238 are arranged in the corresponding channels 252, 254, 256, 258, the blade track segment 226 is arranged adjacent to the carrier segment 224 so that the seals 232, 234, 236, 238 of the forward and aft seal assemblies 230F, 230A are radially between the carrier segment 224 and the shroud wall 270 of the blade track segment 226 to block gases in the gas path from flowing between the carrier segment 224 and the blade track segment 226. The method further includes compressing the second seal members 232B, 234B, 236B, 238B of each seal 232, 234, 236, 238 between the carrier segment 224 and the first seal member 232A, 234A, 236A, 238A to urge the first seal member 232A, 234A, 236A, 238A into engagement with the shroud wall 270 of the blade track segment 226. The method further includes discharging a flow of buffer air through the at least one buffer air passageway 250A.
Another embodiment of a turbine shroud segment 322 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in
The turbine shroud segment 322 includes a carrier segment 324 arranged circumferentially at least partway around an axis 11 of the gas turbine engine 10, a blade track segment 326 arranged circumferentially at least partway around the axis 11, and a seal system 330 as shown in
The seal system 330 includes a forward seal assembly 330F located radially between the carrier segment 324 and the blade track segment 326 on a forward side of the blade track segment 326 and an aft seal assembly 330A located radially between the carrier segment 324 and the blade track segment 326 on an aft side of the blade track segment 326. The forward seal assembly 330F includes a first seal 332 and a second seal 334 each arranged in a corresponding channel 352, 354 formed in the carrier segment 324. The aft seal assembly 330A includes a third seal 336 and a fourth seal 338 each arranged in a corresponding channel 356, 358 formed in the carrier segment 324.
The buffer air seal assembly 330F includes the first seal 332 arranged in a first channel 352 formed in the carrier segment 324 and the second seal 334 arranged in a second channel 354 formed in the carrier segment 324 as shown in
The buffer air passageway 350A discharges the buffer air axially between the first channel 352, i.e. the first seal 332, and the second channel 354, i.e. the second seal 334 as shown in
Each seal 332, 334, 336, 338 includes a first seal member 332A, 334A, 336A, 338A and a second seal member 332B, 334B, 336B, 338B as shown in
In the illustrative embodiment, the first seal member 332A, 334A, 336A, 338A of each seal 332, 334, 336, 338 is a wire seal or a single strand of solid metallic material. The second seal member 332B, 334B, 336B, 338B of each seal 332, 334, 336, 338 is elastic or compliant such that the second seal member 332B, 334B, 336B, 338B biases or urges the first seal member 332A, 334A, 336A, 338A into engagement with the shroud wall 370 of the blade track segment 326 when compressed between the carrier segment 324 and the first seal member 332A, 334A, 336A, 338A as suggested in
In the illustrative embodiment, the second seal member 332B, 334B of the first and second seals 332, 334 is a hollow tube of metallic material as shown in
In the illustrative embodiment, only the second seal members 332B, 334B of the first and second seals 332, 334 are hollow tubes. In some embodiments, some or all of the second seal members 332B, 334B, 336B, 338B of the seals 332, 334, 336, 338 may be hollow tubes.
In the illustrative embodiment, the hollow tube is formed to include a plurality of notches 339 as shown in
In some embodiments, the notches 339 are the same size/circumferential length as shown in
The carrier segment 324 includes an outer wall 340, a pair of hangers 342, a forward support wall 344, and an aft support wall 346 as shown in
The forward and aft support walls 344, 346 of the carrier segment 324 each include channels 352, 354, 356, 358 as shown in
The buffer air passageway 350A, 50B, 50C extends from one of the outer cavities 360A, 360B, 360C formed in the outer wall 340 of the carrier segment 324 as shown in
The different channels 352, 354, 356, 358 have a similar shape as the channels 52, 54, 56, 58 in the embodiments of
A method of assembling and using the turbine shroud segment 322 may include several steps. The method includes arranging the seals 332, 334, 336, 338 in the corresponding channels 352, 354, 356, 358 before arranging the blade track segment 326 adjacent to the carrier segment 324. The method includes arranging the first seal 332 in the first channel 352, arranging the second seal 334 in the second channel 354, arranging the third seal 336 in the third channel 356, and arranging the fourth seal 338 in the fourth channel 358.
The step of arranging the first seal 332 in the first channel 352 includes inserting or arranging the second seal member 332B of the first seal 332 in the first channel 352. Once the second seal member 332B is arranged in the first channel 352, the first seal member 332A of the first seal 332 is inserted or arranged in the first channel 352 so that second seal member 332B is located radially outward of the first seal member 332A. This process may be repeated for the other seals 334, 336, 338.
Before arranging the second seal members 332B, 334B, 336B, 338B in the respective channels 352, 354, 356, 358, the method may further include forming a notch 339 or notches 339 in the second seal members 332B, 334B, 336B, 338B. In the illustrative embodiment, only the second seal members 332B, 334B of the first and second seals 332, 334 are formed to include notches 339. In some embodiments, notches 339 may be formed in the second seal members 336B, 338B of the third and fourth seals 336, 338.
Once all the seals 332, 334, 336, 338 are arranged in the corresponding channels 352, 354, 356, 358, the blade track segment 326 is arranged adjacent to the carrier segment 324 so that the seals 332, 334, 336, 338 of the forward and aft seal assemblies 330F, 330A are radially between the carrier segment 324 and the shroud wall 370 of the blade track segment 326 to block gases in the gas path from flowing between the carrier segment 324 and the blade track segment 326. The method further includes compressing the second seal members 332B, 334B, 336B, 338B of each seal 332, 334, 336, 338 between the carrier segment 324 and the first seal member 332A, 334A, 336A, 338A to urge the first seal member 332A, 334A, 336A, 338A into engagement with the shroud wall 370 of the blade track segment 326. The method further includes discharging a flow of buffer air through the at least one buffer air passageway 350A.
While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the foregoing drawings and description, the same is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only illustrative embodiments thereof have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected.
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