SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SEALING A GAS PATH IN A TURBINE

• US 20130177411A1
• Filed: 01/05/2012
• Published: 07/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Weber, David Wayne, Morgan, Victor John
• Application Number:
  US13/343,935
• Publication Number:
  US 20130177411A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 415/209.3
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 11/001 for sealing space between stator blade and rotor
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 11/003 by packing rings; Mechanical seals
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 11/005 Sealing means between non relatively rotating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 25/246 Fastening of diaphragms or stator-rings
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2300/211 Silica
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49323 Assembling fluid flow directing devices, e.g., stators, diaphragms, nozzles

Abstract

A system for sealing a gas path in a turbine includes a stator ring segment, a shroud segment adjacent to the stator ring segment, and a first load-bearing surface between the stator ring segment and the shroud segment. A first non-metallic gasket is in contact with the first load-bearing surface between the stator ring segment and the shroud segment. A method for sealing a gas path in a turbine includes placing a non-metallic gasket between any two of a stator ring segment, a shroud segment, and a casing.

Claims

1. A system for sealing a gas path in a turbine, comprising:

a. a stator ring segment;

b. a shroud segment adjacent to the stator ring segment;

c. a first load-bearing surface between the stator ring segment and the shroud segment; and

d. a first non-metallic gasket in contact with the first load-bearing surface between the stator ring segment and the shroud segment.

2. The system as in claim 1, wherein the first load-bearing surface is substantially horizontal.

3. The system as in claim 1, wherein the first load-bearing surface comprises a downstream surface of the stator ring segment.

4. The system as in claim 1, wherein the first non-metallic gasket comprises mica.

5. The system as in claim 1, wherein the first non-metallic gasket is attached to at least one of the stator ring segment or the shroud segment.

6. The system as in claim 1, further comprising a casing that circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the shroud segment, a second load-bearing surface between the shroud segment and the casing, and a second non-metallic gasket in contact with the second load-bearing surface between the shroud segment and the casing.

7. The system as in claim 6, wherein the second non-metallic gasket is attached to at least one of the shroud segment or the casing.

8. A system for sealing a gas path in a turbine, comprising:

a. a stator ring segment;

b. a shroud segment adjacent to the stator ring segment;

c. a casing that circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the stator ring segment and the shroud segment;

d. a load-bearing surface between any two of the stator ring segment, the shroud segment, and the casing; and

e. a non-metallic gasket in contact with the load-bearing surface.

9. The system as in claim 8, wherein the load-bearing surface is substantially horizontal.

10. The system as in claim 8, wherein the load-bearing surface comprises a downstream surface of the stator ring segment.

11. The system as in claim 8, wherein the load-bearing surface comprises a surface of the casing.

12. The system as in claim 8, wherein the non-metallic gasket comprises mica.

13. The system as in claim 8, wherein the non-metallic gasket is attached to at least one of the stator ring segment, the shroud segment, or the casing.

14. A method for sealing a gas path in a turbine, comprising:

a. placing a non-metallic gasket between any two of a stator ring segment, a shroud segment, and a casing.

15. The method as in claim 14, wherein the placing step comprises placing a mica gasket between any two of the stator ring segment, the shroud segment, and the casing.

16. The method as in claim 14, further comprising placing the non-metallic gasket in a horizontal gap between any two of the stator ring segment, the shroud segment, and the casing.

17. The method as in claim 14, further comprising placing the non-metallic gasket in a load-bearing surface between any two of the stator ring segment, the shroud segment, and the casing.

18. The method as in claim 14, further comprising attaching the non-metallic gasket to at least one of the stator ring segment, the shroud segment, or the casing.