IP Library Granted Patent US 11,156,105
Granted Patent B2
US 11,156,105 · App. 16/678,609 · Granted Oct 26, 2021

Vane with seal

Inventor: Robert White, III (Meriden, CT)
Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
F01D5/284F01D5/147F01D5/282F01D11/005F01D25/005F05D2240/12F05D2240/55F05D2300/6033
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,156,105
App. No.
16/678,609
Granted
Oct 26, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

An airfoil vane assembly includes a vane piece defining a first vane platform, a second vane platform, and a hollow airfoil section joining the first vane platform and the second vane platform. The first vane platform defines a collar projection therefrom. A spar piece defines a spar platform and a spar extends from the spar platform into the hollow airfoil section. The spar piece includes a radial opening defined by first and second opposed faces. The radial opening is configured to receive the collar projection, and a groove in the spar platform opening to the first face. A seal is situated in the groove. The seal seals against the collar projection. A gas turbine engine and a method of assembling a vane are also disclosed.

Claims (31)

1. An airfoil vane assembly, comprising:

a vane piece defining a first vane platform, a second vane platform, and a hollow airfoil section joining the first vane platform and the second vane platform, the first vane platform defining a collar projection therefrom;

a spar piece defining a spar platform and a spar extending from the spar platform into the hollow airfoil section, the spar piece including a radial opening defined by first and second opposed faces, the radial opening configured to receive the collar projection, and an axial groove in the spar platform opening to the first face; and

a seal situated in the groove, the seal sealing against an axially outer face of the collar projection.

2. The airfoil section of claim 1 , wherein the seal is a rope seal.

3. The airfoil vane of claim 2 , wherein the seal includes a core, and the core comprises a ceramic-based material.

4. The airfoil vane of claim 3 , further comprising a sheath surrounding the core.

5. The airfoil vane of claim 4 , wherein the sheath comprises an overbraid of metallic wires.

6. The airfoil vane of claim 4 , wherein the sheath comprises a metallic foil.

7. The airfoil vane of claim 2 , wherein the seal comprises a plurality of separate segments.

8. The airfoil vane of claim 2 , wherein the seal comprises first and second ends joined by a closure feature to form a loop.

9. The airfoil vane of claim 2 , wherein the spar piece is metallic and the vane piece is ceramic.

10. An gas turbine engine, comprising:

a compressor section;

a combustor in fluid communication with the compressor section;

a turbine section in fluid communication with the combustor, the turbine section having a vane including,

a vane piece defining a first vane platform, a second vane platform, and a hollow airfoil section joining the first vane platform and the second vane platform, the first vane platform defining a collar projection therefrom;

a spar piece defining a spar platform and a spar extending from the spar platform into the hollow airfoil section, the spar piece including a radial opening defined by first and second opposed faces, the radial opening configured to receive the collar projection, and an axial groove in the spar platform opening to the first face; and

a rope seal situated in the groove, the seal sealing against an axially outer face of the collar projection.

11. The gas turbine engine of claim 10 , wherein the first face is an outer face with respect to a centerline of the airfoil section.

12. The gas turbine engine of claim 10 , wherein the rope seal includes a core, and the core comprises a ceramic-based material.

13. The gas turbine engine of claim 12 , further comprising a sheath surrounding the core.

14. The gas turbine engine of claim 10 , wherein the rope seal comprises a plurality of separate segments.

15. The gas turbine engine of claim 10 , wherein the rope seal comprises first and second ends joined by a closure feature to form a loop.

16. The gas turbine engine of claim 10 , wherein the spar piece is metallic and the vane piece is ceramic.

17. A method of assembling a vane, comprising:

inserting a spar piece into a central cavity of a hollow airfoil section of a vane piece, the vane piece having a first vane platform, a second vane platform, and the hollow airfoil section joining the first vane platform and the second vane platform, and a collar projection extending radially outward from the outer platform, wherein the spar piece includes a spar platform and a spar extending from the spar platform, and a radial opening defined by first and second opposed faces, the radial opening configured to receive the collar projection, and an axial groove opening to the first face; and

providing a rope seal situated in the groove, the seal sealing against an axially outer face of the collar projection.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the rope seal includes a core, and the core comprises a ceramic-based material.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the rope seal comprises first and second ends joined by a closure feature to form a loop.

20. The method of claim 17 , wherein the spar piece is metallic and the vane piece is ceramic.

Assignments (4)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 27, 2023
From: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
To: RTX CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 064714/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE SPELLING ON THE ADDRESS 10 FARM SPRINGD ROAD FARMINGTONCONNECTICUT 06032 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 057190 FRAME 0719. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CORRECT SPELLING OF THE ADDRESS 10 FARM SPRINGS ROAD FARMINGTON CONNECTICUT 06032. Recorded Aug 19, 2021
From: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
To: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 057226/0390 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 16, 2021
From: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
To: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 057190/0719 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 8, 2019
From: WHITE, ROBERT, III
To: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 050960/0358 →