General Electric Company

The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the

James S Kelm

Thomas G Wakeman

Harvey M Maclin

Arthur L Ludwig

Robert J Corsmeier

Edward Charles Vickers

Steven K Roggenkamp

Jack Rogers Taylor

Louis Lievestro

Jesse J Williams

A mounting assembly for supporting stator vane platforms formed in an extended arc length, such as 90.degree., in a compressor casing, comprising a circumferential flange formed in the compressor casing having spaced clamp arms, a flange carried on each stator vane platform having a surface which is formed with a plurality of radially outwardly extending wedge lock elements, and locking springs having inner and outer sides each formed with wedge lock elements extending radially outwardly therefrom. In order to mount the stator vane platform on the compressor casing, the locking springs are placed in an 'unlocked' position on the flange of a stator vane platform wherein the wedge lock elements on the inner side of the locking spring extend between adjacent wedge lock elements on the flange. The vane platform flange and locking spring are then inserted as a unit between the clamp arms of the compressor casing. The locking spring is then moved to a 'locked' position wherein the wedge lock elements on the inner side of the locking spring engage the wedge lock elements on the flange of the vane platform, and the wedge lock elements on the outer side of the spring engage one of the clamp arms. In the locked position, the locking spring is wedged between the vane platform flange and one of the clamp arms, and applied a radially inwardly and outwardly directed force thereto which securely mounts the vane platform flange between the clamp arms of the compressor casing and reduces leakage of air therebetween.

Stator vane mounting method and assembly

A mounting assembly for supporting stator vane platforms formed in an extended arc length, in a compressor casing, comprising a circumferential flange formed in the compressor casing having spaced clamp arms, a flange carrier on each stator vane platform having a surface which is formed with a plurality of radially outwardly extending wedge lock elements, and locking springs having inner and outer sides each formed with wedge lock elements extending radially outwardly therefrom. In order to mount the stator vane platform on the compressor casing, the locking springs are placed in an 'unlocked' position on the flange of a stator vane platform wherein the wedge lock elements on the inner side of the locking spring extend between adjacent wedge lock elements on the flange. The vane platform flange and locking spring are then inserted as a unit between the clamp arms of the compressor casing. The locking spring is then moved to a 'locked' position wherein the wedge lock elements on the inner side of the locking spring engage the wedge lock elements on the flange of the vane platform, and the wedge lock elements on the outer side of the spring engage one of the clamp arms. In the locked position, the locking spring is wedged between the vane platform flange and one of the clamp arms, and applies a radially inwardly and outwardly directed force thereto which securely mounts the vane platform flange between the clamp arms of the compressor casing and reduces leakage of air therebetween.

A sheet metal panel comprising a bent region is disclosed. The region defines a first arc of intersection with a first plane and a second arc of intersection with a second plane. The second arc has a radius of less than twice the thickness of the panel.

Sheet metal panel

A method of fabricating sheet metal panels and the article produced thereby. According to one form, the method of fabrication includes the steps of providing a panel of sheet metal, perforating the panel to provide a plurality of holes, forming the panel into a preselected curve about a longitudinal centerline, forming the leading edge portion of the panel into a front flange, forming a shoulder in the panel centered on the holes and extending perpendicularly from a surface thereof, bending an outer portion of the shoulder into a lip, and bonding the portions of the panel comprising the shoulder and lip.

Fabricated liner article and method

Means for axially attaching a variable turbine vane array to a combustor in a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The attachment means are configured so that substantially all of the axial load on the array is transmitted through the walls of the combustor.

Variable turbine vane support

A swirler for a gas turbine engine combustor is disclosed for simultaneously controlling combustor flow rate, swirl angle, residence time and fuel-air ratio to provide three regimes of operation. A first regime is provided in which fuel-air ratio is less than stoichiometric, NOx is produced at one level, and combustor flow rate is high. In a second regime, fuel-air ratio is nearly stoichiometric, NOx production is less than that of the first regime, and combustor flow rate is low. In a third regime, used for example at lightoff, fuel-air ratio is greater than stoichiometric and the combustor flow rate is less than in either of the other regimes.

Growing community of inventors

Milford, OH, United States of America

James S Kelm