Patent ID: 9017030
Filing Date: 2015-04-28
Classification: F01D,F05D

Abstract:
1. A turbine engine airfoil array comprising: a laterally extending endwall with a series of airfoils projecting radially therefrom, each airfoil having a convex suction surface corresponding to an airfoil suction side and a laterally opposite concave pressure surface corresponding to an airfoil pressure side extending axially in chord between opposite leading and trailing edges; the airfoils cooperating with the endwall to define a series of fluid flow passages for directing flow in a downstream direction from the leading edge toward the trailing edge; a saddle portion associated with each suction surface, the saddle portion defining a contour having a first radially outer edge located on a respective suction surface and a second radially inner edge located radially inwardly from the radially outer edge; wherein the contour comprises a curvature in a plane extending radially and generally perpendicular to the suction surface and passing through the saddle portion, the curvature being a convexly curved portion and defining an apex located between the radially outer and inner edges of the saddle portion, wherein the apex of the curvature defines a center of curvature lying in the plane extending radially and generally perpendicular to the suction surface, and the center of curvature is located laterally at or inwardly from the suction surface in a lateral direction toward the pressure surface; wherein the radially inner edge of the saddle portion is located on the endwall, and wherein the contour comprises an inner section extending from the radially inner edge toward the apex and an outer section extending from the radially outer edge toward the apex, the inner and the outer sections each defining a radial dimension measured in a direction from the radially inner edge to the radially outer edge of the saddle portion and lying in the plane extending radially and generally perpendicular to the suction surface and a lateral dimension measured in a direction from the suction surface to the radially inner edge on the endwall and lying in the plane extending radially and generally perpendicular to the suction surface, wherein the radial dimension of the inner section is greater than the lateral dimension of the inner section, and the lateral dimension of the outer section is greater than the radial dimension of the outer section.