Rotor sealing arrangement for an axial flow fluid turbine

Claim 2

In an axial flow fluid turbine of the type having a rotor disc together with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart blades disposed about the outer periphery thereof, sealing means around the rotor periphery comprise: an annular seal ring having a circumferential flange extending axially from the side thereof for engagement within a circumferential groove which extends axially into the rotor disc, and a shear wire for engagement between a first circumferential canal of generally semi-circular cross-section which extends entirely around the flange, and a second circumferential canal also of generally semi-circular cross-section which extends entirely around the inside surface of the first groove, and means for inserting the shear wire between the first and second circumferential canals.

Claim 3

The turbine of claim 1 wherein the means for inserting the shear wire includes an opening through the rotor disc in communication with the second circumferential canal thereby permitting insertion of the shear wire between the first and second circumferential canals.

Claim 4

The turbine of claim 2 wherein the ends of the shear wire are bent radially outward through a second opening in the circumferential flange to inhibit circumferential slippage of the shear wire with respect to the seal ring and wherein at least one locating lug extends axially from the seal ring for engagement within a receiving hole in the rotor disc periphery to inhibit circumferential slippage of the seal ring with respect to the rotor disc.

Claim 5

The turbine of claim 1 including a generally bowed conical seal plate in axially spaced relation to the turbine disc defining a plenum therebetween for receiving and directing a flow of cooling air radially outward to the turbine blades wherein retaining means for the seal plate provide an inward radial constraint substantially against the outer periphery of the seal plate and an axial constraint against the inner periphery of the seal plate maintaining the seal plate in compression during high centrifugal loading.

Claim 6

The turbine of claim 4 wherein inward radial constraint against the outer periphery of the seal plate is provided by a second circumferential flange extending axially from the seal plate in abutment with the underlying surface of a third circumferential flange extending axially from the rotor disc and wherein the second and third flanges include a plurality of aligned indentations therethrough to permit the flow of cooling air to the blades.

Claim 7

In an axial flow fluid turbine of the type having a rotor disc together with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart blades having root portions retained around the periphery of the rotor disc, sealing means around the rotor periphery comprise: a first annular seal ring covering one side of the blade root portions and having a circumferential flange extending axially from the side thereof for engagement within a circumferential groove which extends axially into the rotor disc in substantial proximity to the outer periphery of the rotor disc; a second annular seal ring covering the opposing side of the blade root portions and having a second circumferential flange extending axially from the side thereof for engagement within a second circumferential groove which extends axially into the rotor disc from the side of the disc opposing the first groove, and in substantial proximity to the outer periphery of the disc; a first shear wire for engagement between a first circumferential canal of generally semi-circular cross-section which extends entirely around the first flange and a second circumferential canal of generally semi-circular cross-section which extends entirely around the inside surface of the first groove; a second shear wire for engagement between a third circumferential canal of generally semi-circular cross-section which extends entirely around the second flange and a fourth circumferential canal of generally semi-circular cross-section which extends entirely around the inside surface of the second groove; means for inserting the first shear wire between the first and second circumferential canals; and means for inserting the second shear wire between the third and fourth circumferential canals.

Claim 8

In an axial flow fluid turbine of the type having a rotor disc together with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart blades having root portions retained around the periphery of the rotor disc, sealing means around the rotor periphery comprise: a first annular seal ring covering one side of the blade root portions and having a circumferential flange extending axially from the side thereof for engagement within a circumferential groove which extends axially into the rotor disc in substantial proximity to the outer periphery of the rotor disc; a second annular seal ring covering the opposing side of the blade root portions and having a second circumferential flange extending axially from the side thereof for engagement within a second circumferential groove which extends axially into the rotor disc from the side of the disc opposing the first groove, and in substantial proximity to the outer periphery of the disc; a first shear wire for engagement between a first circumferential canal of generally semi-circular cross-section which extends entirely around the first flange and a second circumferential canal of generally semi-circular cross-section which extends entirely around the inside surface of the first groove; a second shear wire for engagement between a third circumferential canal of generally semi-circular cross-section which extends entirely around the second flange and a fourth circumferential canal of generally semi-circular cross-section which extends entirely around the inside surface of the second groove; means for inserting the first shear wire between the first and second circumferential canals; and means for inserting the second shear wire between the third and fourth circumferential canals.

Claim 9

The turbine of claim 6 including a generally bowed conical seal plate in axially spaced relation to the turbine disc to define a plenum therebetween for receipt and direction of a flow of cooling air radially outward to the turbine blades wherein flow communication is established from the plenum to the blade root portions by means of a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart openings through the first seal ring and wherein retaining means for the seal plate provide an inward radial constraint against the outer periphery of the seal plate and an axial constraint against the inner periphery of the seal plate.

Claim 10

The turbine of claim 7 wherein inward radial constraint against the outer periphery of the seal plate is provided by a third circumferential flange extending axially from the seal plate in abutment with the underlying surface of a fourth circumferential flange extending axially from the rotor disc and wherein the second and third flanges include a plurality of aligned indentations therethrough to permit the flow of cooling air to the blade roots.

Claim 11

In an axial flow fluid turbine of the type having a rotor disc together with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart blades disposed about the outer periphery thereof, means for directing a flow of cooling air radially outward to the blades comprise: a generally bowed conical annular seal plate in axially spaced affixed relation to the turbine disc to define a plenum therebetween wherein the seal plate is maintained in compression during centrifugal loading by a circumferential flange extending axially from the seal plate in abutment with the underlying surface of a second circumferential flange extending axially from the rotor disc which cooperate to provide an inward radial constraint against the outer periphery of the seal plate and a shoulder formed around a sleeve connected to the turbine which abuttingly engages the seal plate providing an axial constraint against the inner periphery of the seal plate.

Claim 12

In an axial flow fluid turbine of the type having a rotor disc together with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart blades disposed about the outer periphery thereof, means for directing a flow of cooling air radially outward to the blades comprise: a generally bowed conical annular seal plate in axially spaced affixed relation to the turbine disc to define a plenum therebetween wherein the seal plate is maintained in compression during centrifugal loading by a circumferential flange extending axially from the seal plate in abutment with the underlying surface of a second circumferential flange extending axially from the rotor disc which cooperate to provide an inward radial constraint against the outer periphery of the seal plate and a shoulder formed around a sleeve connected to the turbine which abuttingly engages the seal plate providing an axial constraint against the inner periphery of the seal plate.

Claim 13

The turbine of claim 9 wherein the first and second flanges include a plurality of aligned indentations therethrough to permit the flow of cooling air to the blade roots.