Lightweight cast inner diameter vane shroud for variable stator vanes
First Claim
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1. A stator vane section for use in a turbine engine, the stator vane section comprising:
- an outer diameter fan case;
a plurality of stator vanes each comprising;
an inner diameter end; and
an outer diameter end for rotating in the outer diameter fan case;
an inner diameter vane shroud comprising;
a forward inner diameter shroud component comprising;
a forward hollow channel running circumferentially through an interior of the forward shroud component;
a forward fastener hole extending through the forward inner diameter vane shroud component to intersect the forward hollow channel; and
a plurality of forward recesses; and
an aft shroud component comprising;
an aft hollow channel running circumferentially through an interior of the aft shroud component;
an aft fastener hole extending into and terminating within the aft shroud component so as to align with the forward fastener hole and not intersect the aft hollow channel; and
a plurality of aft recesses that mate with the forward recesses to receive the inner diameter ends of stator vanes.
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Abstract
An inner diameter vane shroud for use in a gas turbine engine is comprised of lightweight cast forward and aft shroud components. The forward and aft shroud components are made with an investment casting technique that creates a hollow cavity that runs in a circumferential direction through each component. The forward and aft shroud components are matable to form sockets that receive inner diameter ends of variable stator vanes.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A stator vane section for use in a turbine engine, the stator vane section comprising:
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an outer diameter fan case; a plurality of stator vanes each comprising; an inner diameter end; and an outer diameter end for rotating in the outer diameter fan case; an inner diameter vane shroud comprising; a forward inner diameter shroud component comprising; a forward hollow channel running circumferentially through an interior of the forward shroud component; a forward fastener hole extending through the forward inner diameter vane shroud component to intersect the forward hollow channel; and a plurality of forward recesses; and an aft shroud component comprising; an aft hollow channel running circumferentially through an interior of the aft shroud component; an aft fastener hole extending into and terminating within the aft shroud component so as to align with the forward fastener hole and not intersect the aft hollow channel; and a plurality of aft recesses that mate with the forward recesses to receive the inner diameter ends of stator vanes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A vane shroud segment comprising:
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an arcuate body portion; a mating surface comprising; partial sockets for receiving inner diameter ends of stator vanes; and a weight-reducing depression positioned adjacent each of the partial sockets; an internal hollow channel extending through an interior of the arcuate body portion and across the length of the arcuate body portion alongside the partial sockets and weight reducing depressions; and a fastener hole extending into the mating surface radially inward of the partial sockets and weight-reducing depressions so as to not intersect the internal hollow channel. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An inner diameter vane shroud having a forward shroud component and an aft shroud component that mate to form sockets for receiving inner diameter ends of variable stator vanes, the inner diameter vane shroud characterized by:
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a forward hollow channel running through an interior of the forward shroud component; a forward fastener hole extending through the forward shroud component to intersect the forward hollow channel; an aft hollow channel running through an interior of the aft shroud component; and an aft fastener hole extending into and terminating within the aft shroud component so as to not intersect the aft hollow channel; wherein the hollow channels are produced by an investment casting process; and wherein the sockets are disposed between the forward and aft hollow channels so as to not intersect the channels. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification