×

Turbine vane assembly including a low ductility vane

  • US 6,464,456 B2
  • Filed: 03/07/2001
  • Issued: 10/15/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2001
  • Status: Active Grant
0
Associated Cases
0
Associated Defendants
0
Product Citations
0
Petitions
94
Forward Citations
2
Assignments
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A turbine vane assembly comprising:

  • an outer vane support;

    an inner vane support in a fixed spaced apart position from the outer vane support; and

    , at least one airfoil shaped vane supported between the outer and inner vane supports;

    the vane being of a low ductility material having a room temperature tensile ductility no greater than about 1% and selected from the group consisting of ceramic base materials and intermetallic materials;

    the outer and inner vane supports being of material having a room temperature tensile ductility of at least about 5%; and

    , a high temperature resistant compliant seal disposed between the vane and at least one of the outer and inner vane supports, substantially sealing the vane from passage of fluid between the vane and the vane support, the compliant seal isolating the vane from the vane support, enabling the vane to expand and contract independently of the vane support;

    the at least one airfoil shaped vane including a vane radially outer end and a vane radially inner end;

    the outer vane support including therein at least one outer support opening defined by an outer support opening wall sized generally to receive the vane outer end, the outer vane support made of a material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE);

    the inner vane support including therein at least one inner support opening defined by an inner support opening wall generally sized to receive the vane inner end, the inner vane support made of a material having a second CTE;

    the vane low ductility material having a third CTE different from the first CTE and second CTE, the ratio of the average of the first CTE and the second CTE to the third CTE being at least about 0.8;

    at least one of the vane outer end and the vane inner end being releasably disposed in the respective support opening in juxtaposition with the respective support opening wall;

    the high temperature resistant compliant seal being disposed between the at least one vane end and the respective support opening wall, substantially sealing the vane end from passage of fluid thereabout;

    wherein, in combination;

    when the selected low ductility material is a ceramic base material comprising a ceramic matrix composite with a fracture toughness of less than about 20 ksi·

    inch½

     and a room temperature tensile ductility in the range of about 0.4-0.7%, the ratio is in the range of about 1.4-6.7; and

    , when the selected low ductility material is an intermetallic material comprising a NiAl intermetallic material with a fracture toughness of less than about 20 ksi·

    inch½

    , and a room temperature tensile ductility in the range of about 0.1-1%, the third CTE is in the range of about 8-10 microinch/inch/°

    F.;

    the fracture toughness is in the range of about 5-10 ksi·

    inch½

    ; and

    the ratio is in the range of about 0.8-1.2.

View all claims
  • 2 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×