Turbine transition duct apparatus

1. A gas turbine transition duct apparatus comprising:

a first turbine transition duct comprising a first generally tubular main body having first and second ends, and a first collar coupled to said main body second end, said first collar having a first upper portion, a first lower portion and first side portions, one of said first side portions having a first recess;

a second turbine transition duct comprising a second generally tubular main body having third and fourth ends, and a second collar coupled to said main body fourth end, said second collar having a second upper portion, a second lower portion and second side portions, one of said second side portions having a second recess;

said one first side portion being positioned adjacent to said one second side portion such that said first and second recesses are located adjacent to one another, said first and second recesses defining a first slot; and

a strip seal positioned in said first slot and comprising a sealing element and a spring structure, said spring structure applying axial forces upon said one first side portion, said one second side portion and said sealing element.

2. The gas turbine transition duct apparatus as set out in claim 1 , wherein outer edges of said strip seal are received in said first and second recesses such that said first and second recesses axially locate said strip seal relative to said first and second transition ducts.

3. The gas turbine transition duct apparatus as set out in claim 1 , wherein said spring structure comprises an elongated wave spring having a first length.

4. The gas turbine transition duct apparatus as set out in claim 3 , wherein said elongated wave spring is formed from a nickel-based superalloy.

5. The gas turbine transition duct apparatus as set out in claim 3 , wherein said sealing element comprises an elongated sealing plate having a second length greater than said first length of said wave spring.

6. The gas turbine transition duct apparatus as set out in claim 5 , wherein said sealing element further comprises retention tabs integral with said elongated sealing plate for engaging said wave spring and retaining said wave spring adjacent said elongated plate.

7. The gas turbine transition duct apparatus as set out in claim 5 , wherein said elongated sealing plate contains perforations through which compressed air passes to cool said elongated plate.

8. The gas turbine transition duct apparatus as set out in claim 5 , wherein said elongated sealing plate is formed from a nickel-based superalloy.

9. The gas turbine transition duct apparatus as set out in claim 1 , wherein said first and second recesses are coated with a wear resistant coating.

10. The gas turbine transition duct apparatus as set out in claim 1 , wherein said first and second recesses are lined with a consumable wear material.

11. The gas turbine transition duct apparatus as set out in claim 1 , wherein said first upper portion of said first collar has a first upper recess and said second upper portion of said second collar has a second upper recess and further comprising a first seal structure positioned in said first and second upper recesses and positioned near or in contact with an upper end of said strip seal.

12. The gas turbine transition duct apparatus as set out in claim 11 , further comprising fasteners for passing through said first and second upper portions of said first and second collars and said first seal structure for securing said first seal structure to said first and second collars.

13. The gas turbine transition duct apparatus as set out in claim 1 , wherein said first lower portion of said first collar has a first lower recess and said second lower portion of said second collar has a second lower recess and further comprising a second seal structure positioned in said first and second lower recesses and in contact with a lower end of said strip seal.

14. A gas turbine transition duct apparatus comprising:

a first turbine transition duct comprising a first generally tubular main body having first and second ends, and a first collar coupled to said main body second end, said first collar having a first upper portion, a first lower portion and first side portions, one of said first side portions having a first recess;

a second turbine transition duct comprising a second generally tubular main body having third and fourth ends, and a second collar coupled to said main body fourth end, said second collar having a second upper portion, a second lower portion and second side portions, one of said second side portions having a second recess;

said one first side portion being positioned adjacent to said one second side portion such that said first and second recesses are located adjacent to one another, said first and second recesses defining a first slot; and

a strip seal positioned in said first slot and comprising a wave spring and a sealing element including sealing plate.

15. The gas turbine transition duct apparatus as set out in claim 14 , wherein said sealing element further comprises retention tabs integral with said sealing plate for engaging said wave spring and retaining said wave spring adjacent said sealing plate.

16. The gas turbine transition duct apparatus as set out in claim 14 , wherein said first and second recesses are at least one of: coated with a wear resistant coating, and lined with a consumable wear material.

17. The gas turbine transition duct apparatus as set out in claim 14 , wherein said first upper portion of said first collar has a first upper recess and said second upper portion of said second collar has a second upper recess and further comprising a first seal structure positioned in said first and second upper recesses and positioned near or in contact with an upper end of said strip seal.

18. The gas turbine transition duct apparatus as set out in claim 14 , wherein said first lower portion of said first collar has a first lower recess and said second lower portion of said second collar has a second lower recess and further comprising a second seal structure positioned in said first and second lower recesses and in contact with a lower end of said strip seal.

19. The gas turbine transition duct apparatus as set out in claim 14 , wherein outer edges of said strip seal are received in said first and second recesses such that said first and second recesses axially locate said strip seal relative to said first and second transition ducts.

20. The gas turbine transition duct apparatus as set out in claim 14 , wherein said wave spring applies axial forces upon said one first side portion, said one second side portion and said sealing plate.