IP Library Granted Patent US 9,194,238
Granted Patent B2
US 9,194,238 · App. 13/687,027 · Granted Nov 24, 2015

System for damping vibrations in a turbine

Inventors: Herbert Chidsey Roberts, III (Simpsonville, SC); Curtis Alan Johnson (Niskayuna, NY); Glenn Curtis Taxacher (Simpsonville, SC)
Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
F01D5/22F01D5/284F01D5/3084F01D11/008F01D5/3007F05D2250/11F05D2250/132F05D2250/241F05D2260/96F05D2300/20F05D2300/2112F05D2300/2114F05D2300/2118F05D2300/2261F05D2300/2283F05D2300/6033
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,194,238
App. No.
13/687,027
Granted
Nov 24, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system for damping vibrations in a turbine includes a first rotating blade having a first ceramic airfoil, a first ceramic platform connected to the first ceramic airfoil, and a first root connected to the first ceramic platform. A second rotating blade adjacent to the first rotating blade includes a second ceramic airfoil, a second ceramic platform connected to the second ceramic airfoil, and a second root connected to the second ceramic platform. A non-metallic platform damper has a first position in simultaneous contact with the first and second ceramic platforms.

Claims (31)

1. A system for damping vibrations in a turbine, comprising

a. a first rotating blade having a first ceramic airfoil, a first ceramic platform connected to the first ceramic airfoil, and a first root connected to the first ceramic platform;

b. a second rotating blade adjacent to the first rotating blade, wherein the second rotating blade includes a second ceramic airfoil, a second ceramic platform connected to the second ceramic airfoil, and a second root connected to the second ceramic platform; and

c. a non-metallic platform damper having a first position in simultaneous contact with the first and second ceramic platforms, the non-metallic platform damper comprising a plurality of spheres connected to one another.

2. The system as in claim 1 , wherein the first and second roots are ceramic.

3. The system as in claim 2 , further comprising a non-metallic root damper having a first position in simultaneous contact with the first and second roots.

4. The system as in claim 2 , further comprising a non-metallic root damper having a first position in simultaneous contact with the first root and a rotor wheel.

5. The system as in claim 1 , wherein the non-metallic platform damper comprises at least one of zirconia, polycrystalline alumina, sapphire, silicon carbide, or silicon nitride.

6. The system as in claim 1 wherein the non-metallic platform damper has at least one of a triangular or hexagonal cross-section.

7. The system as in claim 1 , wherein the non-metallic platform damper comprises a plurality of segments.

8. The system as in claim 1 , wherein the non-metallic platform damper is hollow.

9. A system for damping vibrations in a turbine, comprising:

a. a first rotating blade having a first ceramic airfoil and a first ceramic root connected to the first ceramic airfoil;

b. a first adaptor configured to connect the first rotating blade to a rotor wheel, the first adaptor having a slot for receipt of the first ceramic root, the slot and the first ceramic root having complementary shapes;

c. a second rotating blade adjacent to the first rotating blade, wherein the second rotating blade includes a second ceramic airfoil and a second ceramic root connected to the second ceramic airfoil;

d. a first non-metallic root damper extending axially within the slot in simultaneous contact with the first ceramic root and the first adaptor; and

e. a second non-metallic root damper extending radially in simultaneous contact with the first ceramic root and the second ceramic root.

10. The system as in claim 9 , wherein the first non-metallic root damper comprises at least one of zirconia, polycrystalline alumina, sapphire, silicon carbide, or silicon nitride.

11. The system as in claim 9 , wherein the first non-metallic root damper has at least one of a triangular or hexagonal cross-section.

12. The system as in claim 9 , wherein the first non-metallic, root damper comprises a plurality of spheres connected to one another.

13. The system as in claim 9 , wherein the first non-metallic root damper comprises a plurality of segments.

14. The system as in claim 9 , wherein the first non-metallic, root damper is hollow.

15. The system as in claim 9 , further comprising a second adaptor configured to connect the second rotating blade to the rotor wheel, wherein the second non-metallic root damper extends radially in simultaneous contact with the first adaptor and the second adaptor.

16. A system for damping vibrations in a turbine, comprising:

a. a first rotating blade having a first ceramic airfoil and a first ceramic root connected to the first ceramic airfoil, the first ceramic root received within a first slot of a rotor wheel, the first slot and the first ceramic root having complementary shapes;

b. a second rotating blade adjacent to the first rotating blade, wherein the second rotating blade includes a second ceramic airfoil and a second ceramic root connected to the second ceramic airfoil; and

c. a non-metallic root damper extending axially in the first slot in simultaneous contact with the first ceramic root and the rotor wheel such that a gap is formed between the first ceramic root and the rotor wheel.

17. The system as in claim 16 , wherein the non-metallic root damper comprises at least one of zirconia, polycrystalline alumina, sapphire, silicon carbide, or silicon nitride.

18. The system as in claim 16 , wherein the non-metallic root damper has at least one of a triangular or hexagonal cross-section.

19. The system as in claim 16 , wherein the non-metallic root damper comprises a plurality of spheres connected to one another.

20. The system as in claim 16 , wherein the non-metallic root damper comprises a plurality of segments.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 17, 2023
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
To: GE INFRASTRUCTURE TECHNOLOGY LLC
Reel/Frame 065727/0001 →
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Aug 1, 2013
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
To: ENERGY, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
Reel/Frame 030993/0706 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 28, 2012
From: ROBERTS, HERBERT CHIDSEY, III.; JOHNSON, CURTIS ALAN; TAXACHER, GLENN CURTIS
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Reel/Frame 029361/0818 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20140147276A1 · May 29, 2014