U.S. patent application number 13/012838 was filed with the patent office on 2012-07-26 for transition piece impingement sleeve for a gas turbine.
This patent application is currently assigned to GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY. Invention is credited to Keith Cletus Belsom, Richard Martin DiCintio, Ronnie Ray Pentecost.
Application Number | 20120186260 13/012838 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46467246 |
Filed Date | 2012-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120186260 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DiCintio; Richard Martin ;
et al. |
July 26, 2012 |
TRANSITION PIECE IMPINGEMENT SLEEVE FOR A GAS TURBINE
Abstract
An impingement sleeve for a transition piece of a gas turbine is
disclosed. The impingement sleeve generally includes a first casing
configured to surround a portion of an inner duct of the transition
piece and a second casing configured to surround a portion of the
inner duct. Additionally, the impingement sleeve may include a
joint defined between the first and second casings. The joint may
include a plurality of fasteners configured to attach the first
casing to the second casing.
Inventors: |
DiCintio; Richard Martin;
(Simpsonville, SC) ; Belsom; Keith Cletus;
(Laurens, SC) ; Pentecost; Ronnie Ray; (Travelers
Rest, SC) |
Assignee: |
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Schenectady
NY
|
Family ID: |
46467246 |
Appl. No.: |
13/012838 |
Filed: |
January 25, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
60/752 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F01D 9/023 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
60/752 |
International
Class: |
F01D 25/24 20060101
F01D025/24 |
Claims
1. An impingement sleeve for a transition piece of a gas turbine,
the impingement sleeve comprising: a first casing configured to
surround a portion of an inner duct of the transition piece; a
second casing configured to surround a portion of the inner duct;
and a substantially flat joint defined between said first and
second casings, said substantially flat joint including a plurality
of fasteners configured to attach said first casing to said second
casing.
2. The impingement sleeve of claim 1, wherein said substantially
flat joint is configured as a lap joint.
3. The impingement sleeve of claim 1, wherein said first casing
includes at least one flange and said second casing includes at
least one shoulder, said at least one flange being attached to said
at least one shoulder at said substantially flat joint.
4. The impingement sleeve of claim 3, wherein said at least one
flange and said at least one shoulder each define a plurality of
openings, said plurality of openings being configured to receive
said plurality of fasteners.
5. The impingement sleeve of claim 3, wherein said at least one
flange is disposed substantially parallel to said at least one
shoulder at said substantially flat joint.
6. The impingement sleeve of claim 3, wherein at least one of said
at least one flange and said at least one shoulder is configured to
extend substantially tangent to a profile of the impingement sleeve
at said substantially flat joint.
7. The impingement sleeve of claim 1, further comprising a
plurality of threaded nuts mounted to an inner surface of at least
one of said first casing and said second casing, said plurality of
fasteners comprising a plurality of threaded fasteners being
configured to be secured within said plurality of threaded
nuts.
8. The impingement sleeve of claim 7, wherein each of said
plurality of threaded nuts is configured as a floating nut.
9. The impingement sleeve of claim 7, wherein said plurality of
threaded nuts is grouped within at least one channel mounted to
said inner surface.
10. The impingement sleeve of claim 9, wherein a profile of said at
least one channel is configured to generally correspond to a
profile of said inner surface such that said at least one channel
is positioned substantially flush against said inner surface.
11. The impingement sleeve of claim 1, wherein said first casing
includes at least one lip extending substantially perpendicularly
from an end of said first casing and said second casing includes at
least one lip extending substantially perpendicularly from an end
of said second casing, said at least one lip of said first casing
being configured to be attached to said at least one lip of said
second casing.
12. An impingement sleeve for a transition piece of a gas turbine,
the impingement sleeve comprising: a first casing configured to
surround a portion of an inner duct of the transition piece; a
second casing configured to surround a portion of the inner duct; a
joint defined between said first and second casings, said joint
including a plurality of threaded fasteners configured to attach
said first casing to said second casing; and at least one channel
mounted to an inner surface of at least one of said first casing
and said second casing, said at least one channel including a
plurality of threaded nuts attached thereto.
13. The impingement sleeve of claim 12, wherein said joint is
configured to be substantially flat.
14. The impingement sleeve of claim 12, wherein said first casing
includes at least one flange and said second casing includes at
least one shoulder, said at least one flange being attached to said
at least one shoulder at said joint.
15. The impingement sleeve of claim 14, wherein said at least one
flange and said at least one shoulder each define a plurality of
openings, said plurality of openings being configured to receive
said plurality of fasteners.
16. The impingement sleeve of claim 14, wherein said at least one
flange is disposed substantially parallel to said at least one
shoulder at said joint.
17. The impingement sleeve of claim 14, wherein at least one of
said at least one flange and said at least one shoulder is
configured to extend substantially tangent to a profile of the
impingement sleeve at said joint.
18. The impingement sleeve of claim 12, wherein each of said
plurality of threaded nuts is configured as a floating nut.
19. The impingement sleeve of claim 12, wherein a profile of said
at least one channel is configured to generally correspond to a
profile of said inner surface such that said at least one channel
is positioned substantially flush against said inner surface.
20. The impingement sleeve of claim 12, wherein said first casing
includes at least one lip extending substantially perpendicularly
from an end of said first casing and said second casing includes at
least one lip extending substantially perpendicularly from an end
of said second casing, said at least one lip of said first casing
being configured to be attached to said at least one lip of said
second casing.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to gas turbines
and, more particularly, to an impingement sleeve for a transition
piece of a gas turbine combustor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Gas turbines typically include a compressor section, a
combustion section, and a turbine section. The compressor section
pressurizes air flowing into the turbine. The pressurized air
discharged from the compressor section flows into the combustion
section, which may be characterized by a plurality of combustors
disposed around an annular array about the axis of the engine. Each
of the plurality of combustors includes a combustion liner, which
defines the combustion chamber of the combustor. As such, air
entering each combustor is mixed with fuel and combusted within the
combustion liner. Hot gases of combustion flow from the combustion
liner through a transition piece to the turbine section of the gas
turbine to drive the turbine and generate power.
[0003] The transition piece of a gas turbine may be configured as a
double walled component. In particular, the transition piece may
include an impingement sleeve and an inner duct disposed radially
inwardly from the impingement sleeve. The inner duct is generally
configured to transport the flow of hot gases from the combustion
chamber to a first stage nozzle of the turbine section. The
impingement sleeve is generally configured to provide impingement
cooling for the inner duct. For example, the impingement sleeve may
define a plurality cooling holes configured to receive the
pressurized air discharged from the compressor section.
[0004] It is often the case that the geometry or shape of the inner
duct necessitates that the impingement sleeve be formed from two or
more sections configured to be assembled around the inner duct.
Typically, the sections of the impingement sleeve are welded to one
another. However, the process of welding the impingement sleeve
sections together is often a difficult task. Moreover, by welding
the sections to one another, the disassembly of the impingement
sleeve in the field in order to perform inspections and/or repairs
can be quite challenging and very time consuming.
[0005] Accordingly, an impingement sleeve that can be easily
assembled and disassembled would be welcomed in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in
part in the following description, or may be obvious from the
description, or may be learned through practice of the
invention.
[0007] In one aspect, the present subject matter discloses an
impingement sleeve for a transition piece of a gas turbine. The
impingement sleeve generally includes a first casing configured to
surround a portion of an inner duct of the transition piece and a
second casing configured to surround a portion of the inner duct.
Additionally, the impingement sleeve may include a substantially
flat joint defined between the first and second casings. The
substantially flat joint may include a plurality of fasteners
configured to attach the first casing to the second casing.
[0008] In another aspect, the present subject matter discloses an
impingement sleeve for a transition piece of a gas turbine. The
impingement sleeve generally includes a first casing configured to
surround a portion of an inner duct of the transition piece and a
second casing configured to surround a portion of the inner duct.
Additionally, the impingement sleeve may include a joint defined
between the first and second casings. The joint may include a
plurality of fasteners configured to attach the first casing to the
second casing. Further, at least one channel may be mounted to an
inner surface of at least one of the first casing and the second
casing. The channel may generally include a plurality of threaded
nuts secured thereto.
[0009] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following description and appended claims. The accompanying
drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this
specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,
together with the description, serve to explain the principles of
the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention,
including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill
in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes
reference to the appended figures, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic depiction of a gas
turbine;
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional, side view of a
combustor of a gas turbine;
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of
an impingement sleeve in accordance with aspects of the present
subject matter;
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of one embodiment of a
double walled transition piece in accordance with aspects of the
present subject matter;
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional, side view of the
double walled transition piece shown in FIG. 4; and
[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates a partial, cross-sectional view of one
embodiment of an attachment joint for attaching components of an
impingement sleeve together in accordance with aspects of the
present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the
invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the
drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the
invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and
variations can be made in the present invention without departing
from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features
illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with
another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is
intended that the present invention covers such modifications and
variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and
their equivalents.
[0018] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic
depiction of a gas turbine 10. The gas turbine 10 includes a
compressor section 12, a combustion section 14, and a turbine
section 16. The combustion section 14 may include a plurality of
combustors 20 (one of which is illustrated in FIG. 2) disposed
around an annular array about the axis of the gas turbine 10. The
compressor section 12 and turbine section 16 may be coupled by a
shaft 18. The shaft 18 may be a single shaft or a plurality of
shaft segments coupled together to form the shaft 18. During
operation of the gas turbine 10, the compressor section 12 supplies
compressed air to the combustion section 14. The compressed air is
mixed with fuel and burned within each combustor 20 (FIG. 2) and
hot gases of combustion flow from the combustion section 14 to the
turbine section 16, wherein energy is extracted from the hot gases
to produce work.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 2, a cross-sectional side view of an
embodiment of a combustor 20 of the combustion section 14 of a gas
turbine 10 is illustrated. The combustor 20 may generally include a
substantially cylindrical combustion casing 22 secured to a portion
of a gas turbine casing 24, such as a compressor discharge casing
or a combustion wrapper casing. A flange 26 may generally extend
outwardly from an upstream end of the combustion casing 22. The
flange 26 may be configured such that an end cover assembly (not
illustrated) may be secured to the combustion casing 22. As is
generally known, the end cover assembly may include a plurality of
fuel nozzles (not shown).
[0020] The combustor 20 may also include an internal flow sleeve 28
and a combustion liner 30 substantially concentrically arranged
within the flow sleeve 28. The combustion liner 30 may generally
define a substantially cylindrical combustion chamber 32, wherein
fuel and air are injected and combusted to produce hot gases of
combustion. Additionally, both the flow sleeve 28 and the
combustion liner 30 may extend, at their downstream ends, to a
double walled transition piece 34, including an impingement sleeve
36 and an inner duct 38 disposed radially inwardly from the
impingement sleeve 36. In particular, the combustion liner 30 may
be coupled at its downstream end to the inner duct 38 such that the
combustion liner 30 and the inner duct 38 generally define a
flowpath for the hot gases of combustion flowing from each
combustor 20 to the turbine section 16 of the gas turbine 10 (FIG.
1). Moreover, the flow sleeve 28 may be coupled at its downstream
end to the impingement sleeve 36 such that the flow sleeve 28 and
the impingement sleeve 36 generally define a flowpath for the
pressurized air discharged from the compressor section 12 of the
gas turbine 10 (FIG. 1). For example, the impingement sleeve 36 may
define a plurality of cooling holes 40 configured to permit the
pressurized air to enter the radial space defined between the inner
duct 38 and the impingement sleeve 36.
[0021] Further, as shown in FIG. 2, one or both of the downstream
ends of impingement sleeve 36 and the inner duct 38 may be coupled
to a transition piece aft frame 42. As is generally understood, the
aft frame 42 may be configured to attach the transition piece 34 to
a first stage nozzle (not shown) of the turbine section 16 (FIG. 1)
such that the hot gases of combustion flowing through the inner
duct 38 may be directed into the turbine section 16.
[0022] Referring now to FIGS. 3-6, one embodiment of a double
walled transition piece 100 and, particularly, one embodiment of an
impingement sleeve 102 suitable for use with the transition piece
100 is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present
subject matter. In particular, FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective
view of the impingement sleeve 102. FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate
exploded and cross-sectional views, respectively, of the transition
piece 100, particularly illustrating various components and/or
features of the impingement sleeve 102. Additionally, FIG. 6
illustrates a partial, cross-sectional view of the attachment
features of the casing components 106, 108 of the disclosed
impingement sleeve 102.
[0023] The disclosed impingement sleeve 102 may generally be
configured to be positioned radially outwardly from the inner duct
104 of the transition piece 100. For example, the impingement
sleeve 102 may be disposed relative to the inner duct 104 such that
a radial space or gap 110 is defined between the impingement sleeve
102 and the inner duct 104. As such, the pressurized air discharged
from the compressor section 12 of the gas turbine 10 (FIG. 1) may
be directed through the radial gap 110 to provide cooling for the
inner duct 104. For instance, a plurality of cooling holes 112 may
be defined through the impingement sleeve 102 such that the
pressurized air flowing along its outer perimeter may be directed
through the impingement sleeve 102 and may impinge onto the outer
surface 114 of the inner duct 104. Additionally, as is generally
understood, the downstream ends 116 of the impingement sleeve 102
and/or the inner duct 104 may be configured to be coupled to a
downstream component of the gas turbine 10, such an aft frame 42 of
the combustor 20 (FIG. 2).
[0024] As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the impingement
sleeve 102 includes a first casing component 106 and a second
casing component 108. The first and second casing components 106,
108 may generally define a shape or profile corresponding to the
shape or profile of the portion of the inner duct 104 around which
the casing components 106, 108 are configured to be disposed (e.g.,
the first and second side portions 118, 120 of the inner duct 104).
However, it should be appreciated that the shape or profile of the
first and second casing components 106, 108 may also be varied from
the shape or profile of the inner duct 104 to take into account
effective cooling configurations and the available packaging within
the gas turbine 10.
[0025] In general, the first and second casing components 106, 108
may be configured to be attached to another such that, once
assembled, the casing components 106, 108 generally encase the
inner duct 104. Thus, as shown, an attachment joint 140 may
generally be formed at the interfaces of the first and second
casing components 106, 108, such as between the top ends 126 of the
casing components 106, 108 and between the bottom ends 128 of the
casing components 126, 128. It should be appreciated that the
casing components 106, 108 may generally have any suitable
configuration designed to form any suitable joint known in the art.
However, in several embodiments of the present subject matter, the
casing components 106, 108 may be configured to overlap one another
such that the attachment joints 140 defined between the casing
components 106, 108 are configured as lap joints.
[0026] For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the first casing
component 106 may include a first mounting flange 122 disposed at a
top end 126 of the casing component 106 and a second mounting
flange 124 disposed at a bottom end 128 of the casing component
106. Similarly, the second casing component 108 may include a first
mounting shoulder 130 disposed at a top end 126 of the casing
component 108 and a second mounting shoulder 132 disposed at a
bottom end 128 of the casing component 108. The flanges 122, 124
and shoulders 130, 132 of the casing components 106, 108 may
generally be configured such that, when the first and second casing
components 106, 108 are assembled around the inner duct 104, the
first shoulder 130 is aligned with and overlaps the first flange
122 and the second shoulder 132 is aligned with and overlaps the
second flange 124 so as to define the attachment joints 140. The
flanges 122, 124 and shoulders 130, 132 may then be attached to one
another such that the first and second casing components 106, 108
generally form an encasing configuration about the inner duct
104.
[0027] In several embodiments, to facilitate the overlapping
configuration of the casing components 106, 108, the second casing
component 108 may include a slight bend at the attachment joints
140 having a height generally equal to the width 143 (FIG. 6) of
the flanges 122, 124 to permit the shoulders 130, 132 to be aligned
with and overlap the flanges 122, 124. Specifically, as shown in
FIG. 6, the second casing component 108 may include a radially
outwardly extending bend 142 at the base of each shoulder 130, 132
such that the flanges 122, 124 may be disposed radially inwardly
from the shoulders 130, 132. Alternatively, the second casing
component 108 may include a radially inwardly extending bend 142 at
the base of each shoulder 130, 132 such that the flanges 122, 124
may be disposed radially outwardly from the shoulders 130, 132. In
other embodiments, it should be appreciated that the second casing
component 108 need not define a bend 142. For example, in one
embodiment, the second casing component 108 may simply define a
radius of curvature or may otherwise have a radial dimension which
is slightly larger or slight smaller than the radius of curvature
or radial dimension of the first casing component 106 such that the
flanges 122, 124 and shoulders 130, 132 overlap one another when
the casing components 106, 108 are positioned together.
[0028] Additionally, in several embodiments of the present subject
matter, the attachment joints 140 may generally be configured as
substantially flat joints. By "substantially flat", it is meant
that the shape or profile of the portions of the casing components
106, 108 forming the attachment joints 140 may generally correspond
to the overall shape or profile of the impingement sleeve 102 in an
area generally adjacent to the joints 140. For example, the flanges
122, 124 and the shoulders 130, 132 may generally be configured to
form an extension of the shape or profile of the first and second
casing components 106, 108, respectively, at each attachment joint
140. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 3-4 and 6, the first and second
flanges 122, 124 may generally define a straight or curved profile
extending substantially tangentially and/or parallel to the profile
of the first casing component 106 in an area adjacent to the
attachment joint 140 (e.g., the profile defined at the top and
bottom ends 126, 128 of the first casing component 106). Similarly,
the first and second shoulders 130, 132 may generally define a
straight or curved profile extending substantially tangentially
and/or parallel to the profile of the second casing component 108
in an area adjacent to the attachment joints 140 (e.g., the profile
defined at the top and bottom ends 126, 128 of the second casing
component 108). Additionally, as shown, the flanges 122, 124 and
shoulders 130, 132, when attached, may be configured to extend
substantially parallel to one another. As such, when the first and
second casing components 106, 108 are positioned in an encasing
configuration around the inner duct 104, the attachment joints 140
may generally have a substantially flat configuration with respect
to the overall shape or profile of the impingement sleeve 102.
[0029] It should be appreciated that, in embodiments in which the
attachment joints 140 are configured as substantially flat joints,
the corresponding profiles of the flanges 122, 124 and shoulders
130, 132 may generally vary depending on the location at which the
attachment joints 140 are defined along the outer perimeter of the
impingement sleeve 102. For example, in an alternative embodiment,
the first and second casing components 106, 108 may be configured
such that the attachment joints 140 are defined along the sides 141
of the impingement sleeve 102. In such an embodiment, the flanges
122, 124 and shoulders 130, 132 may generally define a straight or
curved profile extending substantially tangentially and/or parallel
to the profile of the sides 141 of the first and second casing
component 106, 108.
[0030] Referring still to FIGS. 3-6, the casing components 106, 108
may generally be configured to be secured to one another at the
attachment joints 140 using any suitable means. However, in several
embodiments of the present subject matter, the casing components
106, 108 may be configured to be weldlessly attached to one
another. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the first and
second flanges 122, 124 may define a plurality of flange openings
134 forming a bolt hole pattern which generally corresponds to the
bolt hole pattern formed by a plurality of shoulder openings 136
defined in first and second shoulders 130, 132. Specifically, each
of the flange openings 134 defined in the first mounting flange 122
may be configured to be aligned with one of the shoulder openings
136 defined in the first mounting shoulder 130 when the first and
second casing components 106, 108 are positioned around the inner
duct 104. Similarly, each of the flange openings 134 defined in the
second mounting flange 124 may be configured to be aligned with one
of the shoulder openings 136 defined in the second mounting
shoulder 132. Accordingly, the flange openings 134 and the shoulder
openings 136 may generally be configured such that a fastener 138
may be disposed through the aligned openings 134, 136 in order to
permit the first casing component 106 to be attached to the second
casing component 108.
[0031] In general, the disclosed fasteners 138 may comprise any
suitable fasteners known in the art. For instance, in several
embodiments, the fasteners 138 may comprise a plurality of threaded
fasteners, such as threaded bolts, screws and the like. In
alternative embodiments, the fasteners 138 may comprise rivets,
pins, clips, bolts, brackets, rods and any other suitable
mechanical fasteners and/or attachment mechanisms. Additionally,
the fasteners 138 may be configured to be secured within the
openings 134, 136 using any suitable means. For example, the
fasteners 138 may be secured within the openings 134, 136 using
nuts, retaining pins, retaining rods, adhesives, and the like.
However, in a particular embodiment of the present subject matter,
each of the fasteners 138 may be secured within the openings 134,
136 using a floating nut 144.
[0032] As is generally understood, a floating nut 144 may comprise
a threaded nut 146 which is movably disposed within a cage, frame
or other retainer 148. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the
threaded nut 146 may be disposed within the retainer 148 such that
a gap is defined between the threaded nut 146 and the base 152 of
the retainer 148. As such, the threaded nut 146 may move or
otherwise float relative to the retainer base 152 within such gap.
Moreover, in addition to being capable of moving towards and away
from the retainer base 152, the threaded nut 146 may also be
configured to move or otherwise float perpendicularly to retainer
base 152. As such, the threaded nut 146 may be displaced or may
otherwise be moved into alignment with the fastener 138 as it is
inserted through the openings 134, 136. Accordingly, each floating
nut 144 may generally provide built-in flexibility in attaching the
fasteners 138 to the threaded nuts 146, thereby simplifying the
blind attachment of the flanges 122, 124 to the shoulders, 130,
132. It should be appreciated that the floating nuts 144 described
herein may generally have any suitable floating nut configuration
known in the art and, thus, need not have the exact configuration
illustrated herein and described above.
[0033] In several embodiments, a plurality of floating nuts 144 may
be mounted within the impingement sleeve 102 such that, when the
first and second casing components 106, 108 are positioned around
the inner duct 104, one floating nut 144 is generally aligned with
each pair of aligned flange and shoulder openings 134, 136. For
instance, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the floating nuts 140 may be
disposed along the inner surfaces 154 of the first and second
flanges 122, 124. Alternatively, in embodiments in which the
shoulders 130, 132 are disposed radially inwardly from the flanges
122, 124, the floating nuts 144 may be disposed along the inner
surfaces 156 (FIG. 6) of the first and second shoulders 130,
132.
[0034] Additionally, in one embodiment, each of the floating nuts
144 may be separately mounted onto an inner surface of the
impingement sleeve 102, such as the inner surfaces 154 of the
flanges 122, 124. For example, the retainer 148 of each floating
nut 144 may be directly attached to the inner surfaces 154 of the
flanges 122, 124 (e.g., by welding or otherwise fastening the
retainer 148 to the inner surfaces 154). Alternatively, the
floating nuts 144 may be grouped or ganged into a common carriage
or channel 158, 160 for attachment to the inner surfaces 154 of the
mounting flanges 122, 124. For instance, as shown in the
illustrated embodiment, first and second elongated channels 158,
160 may generally be secured to the inner surfaces 154 of the first
and second flanges 122, 124, respectively, such as by welding or
otherwise fastening the elongated channels 158, 160 onto the inner
surfaces 154.
[0035] In several embodiments, each elongated channel 158, 160 may
generally be configured to define a shape or profile corresponding
to the shape or profile of the portion of the impingement sleeve
102 to which it is attached. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment,
the first elongated channel 158 may generally extend lengthwise
between the upstream and downstream ends 162, 164 (FIG. 5) of the
first flange 122 and may include a base 180 defining a curved
profile generally corresponding to the curved profile of the first
flange 122. Similarly, the second elongated channel 160 may
generally extend lengthwise between the upstream and downstream
ends 166, 168 (FIG. 5) of the second flange 124 and may include a
base 180 defining a curved profile generally corresponding to the
curved profile of the second flange 124. As such, the elongated
channels 158, 160 may generally be secured substantially flush
against the inner surfaces of the impingement sleeve 102.
[0036] It should be appreciated that, in alternative embodiments,
the elongated channels 158, 160 need not be configured to extend
fully between the upstream and downstream ends 162, 164, 166, 168
of the first and second flanges 122, 124. For example, the
elongated channels 158, 160 may only extend partially between the
upstream and downstream ends 162, 164, 166, 168. In other
embodiments, two or more elongated channels 158, 160 may be secured
between the upstream and downstream ends 162, 164, 166, 168 of each
flange 122, 124.
[0037] Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5-6, each elongated
channel 158, 160 may generally include a plurality of floating nuts
144 mounted to the base 180 of each channel 158, 160. For example,
in one embodiment, the retainers 148 of the floating nuts 144 may
be welded or otherwise fastened to each base 180. Additionally, it
should be appreciated that the spacing of the floating nuts 144
along each channel 158, 160 may generally correspond to the spacing
of the flange and shoulder openings 134, 136 defined in the flanges
122, 124 and the shoulders 130, 132, respectively. Thus, when the
elongated channels 158, 160 are secured to the inner surfaces 154,
156 of one of the casing components 106, 108 and the casing
components 106, 108 are positioned around the inner duct 104, one
floating nut 144 may generally be disposed in alignment with each
pair of aligned flange and shoulder openings 134, 136.
[0038] It should be appreciated that, in further embodiments, a
plurality of threaded members, such as threaded nuts 146, may be
secured to the elongated channels 158, 160 as an alternative to the
floating nuts 144. Additionally, as particularly shown in FIGS. 3
and 6, in one embodiment, the elongated channels 158, 160 may be
configured to include sidewalls 161 extending substantially
perpendicularly from the base 180 of each channel 158, 160.
Alternatively, the elongated channels 158, 160 may be configured
simply as mounting plates and, thus, need not include the
illustrated sidewalls 161.
[0039] It should also be appreciated that, as an alternative to
using fasteners 138 and floating nuts 144 (or threaded nuts 146),
various other suitable attachment methods may be utilized to
weldlessly attach to the first and second flanges 122, 124 to the
first and second shoulders 130, 132. For example, the flanges 122,
124 and the shoulders 130, 132 may be crimped together or attached
together using an adhesive or other suitable bonding material.
[0040] The first and second casing components 106, 108 may also
include corresponding pairs of lips 170, 172 extending radially
outwardly from the casing components 106, 108 at their upstream
ends 162, 166. In general, the radially extending lips 170, 172 may
be configured such that, when the lips 170 of the first casing
component 106 are secured to the lips 172 of the second casing
component 108, a seal 174 (FIG. 5) disposed between an upstream
component 176 of the combustor 20 (FIG. 1) and the upstream ends
162, 166 of the casing components 106, 108 is properly engaged
and/or a sufficient force is applied at the interface Additionally,
in several embodiments of the present subject matter, the
orientation of the radially extending lips 170 of the first casing
component 106 may be configured to match or correspond to the
orientation of the radially extending lips 172 of the second casing
component 108, such as by configuring the lips 170, 172 to extend
substantially parallel to one another when the first and second
casing components 106, 108 are positioned together. Further, in one
embodiment, each of the radially extending lips 170, 172 may be
configured to extend substantially perpendicularly from the top and
bottom ends 126, 128 of the casing components 106, 108. In other
embodiments, it should be appreciated that the lips 170, 172 may
generally extend outwardly from the top and bottom ends 126, 128 of
the casing components 106, 108 at any suitable angle.
[0041] It should also be appreciated that the lips 170 of the first
casing component 106 may generally be configured to be attached to
the lips 172 of the second casing component 108 using any suitable
means. For instance, in the illustrated embodiment, the lips 170,
172 may define openings 178 configured to receive suitable
fasteners 179 (e.g., bolts, screws, rivets, pins, other mechanical
fasteners and the like) for attaching the lips 170, 172 to one
another. Alternatively, various other suitable attachment methods
may be utilized to attach to the lips 170, 172 to one another, such
as by crimping the lips 170, 172 together or by attaching the lips
170, 172 together using an adhesive or other bonding material.
[0042] It should be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill
in the art that, in addition to the configurations described
herein, various other impingement sleeve configurations may be
utilized within the scope of the present subject matter. For
example, the one or more shoulders 130, 132 may be disposed on the
first casing component 106 while one or more flanges 122, 124 may
be disposed on the second casing component 108. Additionally, as
noted above, the flanges 122, 124 need not be disposed radially
inwardly of the shoulders 130, 132. Specifically, in several
embodiments, the shoulders 130, 132 may be disposed radially
inwardly of the flanges 122, 124. In another embodiment, the first
shoulder 130 may be configured to be disposed radially inwardly of
the first flange 122 while the second shoulder 132 may be
configured to be disposed radially outwardly of the second flange
124.
[0043] Moreover, it should be appreciated that the first and second
casing components 106, 108 need not be configured such that the
attachment joints 140 defined at the flanges 122, 124 and the
shoulders 130, 132 are formed at the top and bottom ends 26, 128 of
the impingement sleeve 102. Rather, the casing components 106, 108
may be configured such that the attachment joints 140 are formed at
any location along the outer perimeter of the impingement sleeve
102, such as on the sides 141 or corners of the impingement sleeve
102. Further, in another embodiment, the impingement sleeve 102 may
include more than two casing components. For instance, the
impingement sleeve 102 may include three or more casing components,
with the casing components being configured to be attached to one
another so as to encase the inner duct 104.
[0044] This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and
using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated
methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the
claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled
in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope
of the claims if they include structural elements that do not
differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include
equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from
the literal languages of the claims.
* * * * *