IP Library Granted Patent US 12,352,176
Granted Patent B1
US 12,352,176 · App. 18/680,562 · Granted Jul 8, 2025

Turbine shroud assemblies with channels for buffer cavity seal thermal management

Inventors: Ted J. Freeman (Indianapolis, IN); Aaron D. Sippel (Indianapolis, IN); David J. Thomas (Indianapolis, IN); Clark J. Snyder (Indianapolis, IN)
Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
F01D11/04F01D11/005F05D2230/60F05D2240/11F05D2240/55
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 12,352,176
App. No.
18/680,562
Granted
Jul 8, 2025
Kind
B1
Abstract

A turbine shroud assembly adapted for use with a gas turbine engine includes a carrier segment, a blade track segment, and a seal system. The carrier segment arranged circumferentially at least partway around an axis. The blade track segment is coupled to the carrier segment and defines a portion of a gas path of the gas turbine engine. The seal system includes seals arranged radially between the carrier segment and the blade track segment to block gases from flowing between the carrier segment and the blade track segment.

Claims (41)

1. A turbine shroud assembly adapted for use with a gas turbine engine, the turbine shroud assembly comprising

a carrier segment arranged circumferentially at least partway around an axis, the carrier segment including an outer wall, a first support wall that extends radially inward from the outer wall, and a second support wall that extends radially inward from the outer wall at a location spaced apart axially from the first support wall to define an attachment-receiving space, and wherein the first support wall is formed to include a radially-inwardly opening first channel that extends circumferentially relative to the axis, a radially-inwardly opening second channel spaced apart axially from the first channel that extends circumferentially relative to the axis, and at least one buffer air passageway that extends radially into the first support wall axially between the first channel and the second channel and configured to discharge buffer air radially inward away from the carrier segment,

a blade track segment arranged circumferentially at least partway around the axis to define a portion of a gas path of the gas turbine engine, the blade track segment having a shroud wall that extends circumferentially partway around the axis and an attachment feature that extends radially outward from the shroud wall into the attachment-receiving space formed in the carrier segment, and

a buffer air seal assembly located radially between the carrier segment and the shroud wall of the blade track segment to block gases from flowing between the carrier segment and the blade track segment into the attachment-receiving space of the carrier segment, the buffer air seal assembly including a first seal arranged in the first channel and engaged with the shroud wall and a second seal arranged in the second channel and engaged with the shroud wall,

wherein the first and second channel cooperate to define a partition wall therebetween that extends circumferentially relative to the axis, the partition wall having a terminal end that faces the blade track segment, and wherein the at least one buffer air passageway extends radially through the partition wall,

wherein the first and second seals each include a first seal member that extends circumferentially at least partway about the axis and a second seal member that extends circumferentially at least partway about the axis, the second seal member arranged entirely radially outward of the terminal end of the partition wall and radially outward of the first seal member so that the second seal member is positioned out of a direct flow path of the buffer air discharged by the at least one buffer air passageway to reduce a risk of oxidation of the second seal member, and

wherein the second seal member is compressed between the carrier segment and the first seal member and urges the first seal member into engagement with the shroud wall of the blade track segment.

2. The turbine shroud assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second support wall is formed to include a radially-inwardly opening third channel that extends circumferentially relative to the axis, and the turbine shroud assembly further comprises a third seal arranged in the third channel.

3. The turbine shroud assembly of claim 2 , wherein the third seal includes a first seal member that extends circumferentially at least partway about the axis and a second seal member that extends circumferentially at least partway about the axis, the second seal member arranged radially outward of the first seal member.

4. The turbine shroud assembly of claim 3 , wherein the second support wall is further formed to include a radially-inwardly opening fourth channel spaced apart axially from the radially-inwardly opening third channel that extends circumferentially relative to the axis, and the turbine shroud assembly further comprises a fourth seal arranged in the fourth channel, and wherein the fourth seal includes a first seal member that extends circumferentially at least partway about the axis and a second seal member that extends circumferentially at least partway about the axis, the second seal member arranged radially outward of the first seal member.

5. The turbine shroud assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first channel and the second channel are each defined by a partition-wall surface of the partition wall, an end surface that extends axially from the partition-wall surface, and a support-wall surface that extends from the end surface towards the blade track segment, and wherein the support-wall surface has a radially-extending section that extends radially-inward from the end surface and an angled section that extends radially-inward and axially from the radially-extending section of the support-wall surface, and wherein the second seal member of the first seal and the second seal engages the radially-extending section of the support-wall surface and the partition-wall surface of the partition wall.

6. The turbine shroud assembly of claim 5 , wherein the first seal member of the first seal and the second seal engages the angled section of the support-wall surface.

7. The turbine shroud assembly of claim 6 , wherein the angled section of the support-wall surface included in the first channel extends radially-inward and axially forward from the radially-extending section, and wherein the angled section of the support-wall surface included in the second channel extends radially-inward and axially aft from the radially-extending section.

8. The turbine shroud assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second seal member of the first seal and the second seal does not engage the blade track segment.

9. The turbine shroud assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second seal member comprises a braid of metallic material.

10. The turbine shroud assembly of claim 9 , wherein the second seal member has a rectangular cross-section when viewed circumferentially relative to the axis.

11. The turbine shroud assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second seal member is a hollow tube of metallic material.

12. The turbine shroud assembly of claim 11 , wherein the hollow tube is formed to include at least one notch that extends through a wall of the hollow tube.

13. The turbine shroud assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first seal member comprises a single strand of solid metallic material.

14. The turbine shroud assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first channel is defined by a first partition-wall surface of the partition wall, a first end surface that extends axially from the first partition-wall surface, and a first support-wall surface that extends from the first end surface towards the blade track segment, and wherein the first support-wall surface has a radially-extending section that extends radially-inward from the first end surface and an angled section that extends radially-inward and axially forward from the radially-extending section of the first support-wall surface.

15. The turbine shroud assembly of claim 14 , wherein the second channel is defined by a second partition-wall surface of the partition wall, a second end surface that extends axially from the second partition-wall surface, and a second support-wall surface that extends from the second end surface towards the blade track segment, and wherein the second support-wall surface has a radially-extending section that extends radially-inward from the second end surface and an angled section that extends radially-inward and axially aft from the radially-extending section of the second support-wall surface.

16. A turbine shroud assembly adapted for use with a gas turbine engine, the turbine shroud assembly comprising

a carrier segment arranged circumferentially at least partway around an axis, the carrier segment including an outer wall, a first support wall that extends radially inward from the outer wall, and a second support wall that extends radially inward from the outer wall at a location spaced apart axially from the first support wall to define an attachment-receiving space, and wherein the first support wall is formed to include a radially-inwardly opening first channel that extends circumferentially relative to the axis, a radially-inwardly opening second channel spaced apart axially from the first channel that extends circumferentially relative to the axis, and at least one buffer air passageway that extends radially into the first support wall axially between the first channel and the second channel and configured to discharge buffer air radially inward away from the carrier segment,

a blade track segment arranged circumferentially at least partway around the axis to define a portion of a gas path of the gas turbine engine, the blade track segment having a shroud wall that extends circumferentially partway around the axis and an attachment feature that extends radially outward from the shroud wall into the attachment-receiving space formed in the carrier segment, and

a buffer air seal assembly located radially between the carrier segment and the shroud wall of the blade track segment to block gases from flowing between the carrier segment and the blade track segment into the attachment-receiving space of the carrier segment, the buffer air seal assembly including a first seal arranged in the first channel and engaged with the shroud wall and a second seal arranged in the second channel and engaged with the shroud wall,

wherein the first and second channel cooperate to define a partition wall therebetween that extends circumferentially relative to the axis, and wherein the at least one buffer air passageway extends radially through the partition wall,

wherein the first channel is defined by a first partition-wall surface of the partition wall, a first end surface that extends axially from the first partition-wall surface, and a first support-wall surface that extends from the first end surface towards the blade track segment, and wherein the first support-wall surface has a radially-extending section that extends radially-inward from the first end surface and an angled section that extends radially-inward and axially forward from the radially-extending section of the first support-wall surface,

wherein the second channel is defined by a second partition-wall surface of the partition wall, a second end surface that extends axially from the second partition-wall surface, and a second support-wall surface that extends from the second end surface towards the blade track segment, and wherein the second support-wall surface has a radially-extending section that extends radially-inward from the second end surface and an angled section that extends radially-inward and axially aft from the radially-extending section of the second support-wall surface, and

wherein the first partition-wall surface of the partition wall has a radially-extending section that extends radially-inward from the first end surface and an angled section that extends radially-inward and axially aft from the radially-extending section of the first partition-wall surface, and wherein the second partition-wall surface of the partition wall has a radially-extending section that extends radially-inward from the second end surface and an angled section that extends radially-inward and axially forward from the radially-extending section of the second partition-wall surface.

17. A method comprising:

providing a carrier segment arranged circumferentially at least partway around an axis, the carrier segment formed to include a radially-inwardly opening first channel that extends circumferentially relative to the axis, a radially-inwardly opening second channel spaced apart axially from the radially-inwardly opening first channel that extends circumferentially relative to the axis, and at least one buffer air passageway that extends radially into the carrier segment axially between the first channel and the second channel, wherein the first and second channel cooperate to define a partition wall therebetween that extends circumferentially relative to the axis, the partition wall having a terminal end that faces the blade track segment, and wherein the at least one buffer air passageway extends radially through the partition wall,

providing a blade track segment arranged circumferentially at least partway around the axis, the blade track segment having a shroud wall that extends circumferentially partway around the axis and an attachment feature that extends radially outward from the shroud wall,

providing a buffer air seal assembly including a first seal and a second seal, wherein the first and second seals each include a first seal member that extends circumferentially at least partway about the axis and a second seal member that extends circumferentially at least partway about the axis,

arranging the first seal of the buffer air seal assembly in the first channel formed in the carrier segment, wherein arranging the first seal in the first channel includes arranging the second seal member in the first channel before arranging the first seal member in the first channel so that the second seal member is located entirely radially outward of the terminal end of the partition wall,

arranging the second seal of the buffer air seal assembly in the second channel formed in the carrier segment, wherein arranging the second seal in the second channel includes arranging the second seal member in the second channel before arranging the first seal member in the second channel so that the second seal member is located entirely radially outward of the terminal end of the partition wall,

arranging the blade track segment adjacent to the carrier segment so that the buffer air seal assembly is radially between the carrier segment and the shroud wall of the blade track segment to block gases from flowing between the carrier segment and the blade track segment,

compressing the second seal member of the first and second seals between the carrier segment and the first seal member to urge the first seal member into engagement with the shroud wall of the blade track segment, and

discharging a flow of buffer air through the at least one buffer air passageway into the first channel.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising providing at least one retainer and inserting the at least one retainer axially into the carrier segment and through the attachment feature of the blade track segment to couple the blade track segment to the carrier segment.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the first channel and the second channel are each defined by a partition-wall surface of the partition wall, an end surface that extends axially from the partition-wall surface, and a support-wall surface that extends from the end surface towards the blade track segment, and wherein the support-wall surface has a radially-extending section that extends radially-inward from the end surface and an angled section that extends radially-inward and axially from the radially-extending section of the support-wall surface, and wherein the second seal member of the first seal and the second seal engages the radially-extending section of the support-wall surface and the partition-wall surface of the partition wall.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the first seal member of the first seal and the second seal engages the angled section of the support-wall surface.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 10, 2024
From: FREEMAN, TED J.; SIPPEL, AARON D.; THOMAS, DAVID J.; SNYDER, CLARK J.
To: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 067672/0626 →
References Cited (167)
US 7207771B2 · Synnott et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7217089B2 · Durocher et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7374395B2 · Durocher et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 7513740B1 · Hervy et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 7600967B2 · Pezzetti, Jr. et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 7771159B2 · Johnson et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7901186B2 · Cornett et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 8206087B2 · Campbell et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8303245B2 · Foster et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8641371B2 · Nakamura et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8651497B2 · Tholen et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8684680B2 · Martin et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8784041B2 · Durocher et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8845285B2 · Weber et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8905708B2 · Weber et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 9079245B2 · Durocher et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9534500B2 · Bouchard et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9708922B1 · Davis et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9714580B2 · Slavens et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9745854B2 · Baldiga et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9759079B2 · Sippel et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9863265B2 · Stapleton · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 9863323B2 · Kirtley et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 9869201B2 · Dyson et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 9874104B2 · Shapiro · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 9915162B2 · Duguay · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 9945484B2 · Moehrle et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 9957827B2 · Davis et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 9982550B2 · Davis · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 9988919B2 · Davis et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 9988923B2 · Snyder et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10012099B2 · Cetel et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10024193B2 · Shapiro · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10072517B2 · Boeke et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10082085B2 · Thomas et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10087771B2 · Mcgarrah · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10100660B2 · Sippel et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10132197B2 · Heitman et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10138747B2 · Dev et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10138750B2 · Mccaffrey et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10167957B2 · Davis et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10202863B2 · Davis et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10240476B2 · Varney · 2019 [cited by examiner]
US 10265806B2 · Cui et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10281045B2 · Sippel et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10301955B2 · Vetters et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10301960B2 · Stapleton et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10378385B2 · Tesson et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10378386B2 · Roussille et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10415426B2 · Quennehen et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10415427B2 · Quennehen et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10422241B2 · Mccaffrey et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10428688B2 · Quennehen et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10428953B2 · Lutjen et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10443419B2 · Thomas et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10443420B2 · Sippel et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10450897B2 · Gallier · 2019 [cited by examiner]
US 10465545B2 · Cetel et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10480337B2 · Vetters · 2019 [cited by examiner]
US 10533446B2 · Barak et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10550706B2 · Lutjen et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10577963B2 · Mccaffrey · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10577977B2 · Baucco · 2020 [cited by examiner]
US 10584605B2 · Sippel et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10590803B2 · Quennehen et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10598045B2 · Tableau et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10605120B2 · Quennehen et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10619517B2 · Quennehen et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10626745B2 · Roussille et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10633994B2 · Barker · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10648362B2 · Groves, II et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10655495B2 · Groves, II et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10655501B2 · Lepretre et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10662794B2 · Das · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10689998B2 · Stapleton et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10690007B2 · Quennehen et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10704404B2 · Shi et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10718226B2 · Vetters et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10724399B2 · Carlin et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10731494B2 · Dev et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10731509B2 · Correia et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10738643B2 · Mccaffrey et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10753221B2 · Barker et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10787924B2 · Quennehen et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10794204B2 · Fitzpatrick et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10801345B2 · Clum et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10801349B2 · Mccaffrey · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10815807B2 · Vantassel et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10815810B2 · Barker et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10830357B2 · Mccaffrey et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10890079B2 · Propheter-Hinckley et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 10907487B2 · Zurmehly et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 10907501B2 · Filippi et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 10934872B2 · Tableau et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 10934873B2 · Sarawate et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 10968761B2 · Barker et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 10968777B2 · Propheter-Hinckley et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 10982559B2 · Filippi · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11002144B2 · Azad et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11015613B2 · Kerns et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11021988B2 · Tableau et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11021990B2 · Filippi · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11028720B2 · Tableau et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11041399B2 · Lutjen et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11047245B2 · Mccaffrey · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11066947B2 · Sippel et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11073045B2 · Sippel et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11078804B2 · Tableau et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11085316B2 · Barker et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11085317B2 · Johnson et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11105215B2 · Roy Thill et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11111794B2 · Bitzko et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11111802B2 · Propheter-Hinckley et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11111822B2 · Tableau et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11111823B2 · Jarrossay et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11125096B2 · Clark et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11125098B2 · Barker et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11143050B2 · Roy Thill et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11149574B2 · Laroche · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11174747B2 · Roy Thill et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11174795B2 · Lutjen et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11181006B2 · Smoke et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11187094B2 · Feldmann et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11215064B2 · Arbona et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 11215065B2 · Starr et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 11215081B2 · Schilling et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 11248480B2 · Thirumalai et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 11255208B2 · Clark et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 11255209B2 · Clark et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 11286812B1 · Freeman · 2022 [cited by examiner]
US 11313242B2 · Cetel et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 11319827B2 · Clark et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 11319828B1 · Freeman et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 11326463B2 · Blaney et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 11326470B2 · Dyson et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 11346237B1 · Freeman et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 11346251B1 · Freeman et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 11365635B2 · Read et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 11441434B2 · Danis et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 11441441B1 · Freeman et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 11466585B2 · Arbona et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 11466586B2 · Sippel et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 11499444B1 · Freeman et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 11506085B2 · Jarrossay et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 11542825B2 · Hauswirth et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 11542827B2 · Quennehen et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 11624291B2 · Roy Thill et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 11624292B2 · Clark et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 11629607B2 · Freeman et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 11643939B2 · Stoyanov et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 11702948B2 · Hock et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 11702949B2 · Freeman et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 11713694B1 · Freeman et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 11732604B1 · Freeman et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 11761351B2 · Freeman et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 11773751B1 · Freeman et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 11781440B2 · Vincent et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 11781448B1 · Holleran · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 11840930B2 · Propheter-Hinckley et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 11840936B1 · Freeman et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 11879349B2 · Schilling et al. · 2024 [cited by applicant]
US 20230184124A1 · Stoyanov et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 20230332506A1 · Freeman et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 20240003267A1 · Cazin et al. · 2024 [cited by applicant]
EP 1965031A2 · 2008 [cited by applicant]
EP 3543468A1 · 2019 [cited by applicant]
FR 3056636A1 · 2018 [cited by applicant]
Cited By (1)
US 12,523,175