Ceramic-to-metal turbine volute attachment for a gas turbine engine

Abstract

A means of attachment applicable to mating parts which have substantially different coefficients of thermal expansion is disclosed. The means of attachment substantially reduces the friction between the mating surfaces while still keeping the mating parts centered with respect to one another. The approach is based on radial recessed faces wherein the radial faces slide relative to each other. There may be three or more recessed/raised faces on each mating component, which when mated, maintain the alignment between the mating parts while allowing differential growth of the mating parts. This approach also the provides a much larger bearing surface for the attachment than a radial pin/slot approach, for example, and substantially eliminates areas of high stress concentration. It is thus a more robust design for components that undergo many thousands of thermal cycles.