Patent ID: 6386827
Filing Date: 2002-05-14
Classification: F01D,F05D

Abstract:
A turbine vane, comprising:an outer peripheral wall defining a hollow interior space and extending longitudinally in a first direction; at least one internal baffle wall disposed in said hollow interior space, said at least one baffle wall extending longitudinally generally in said first direction, and being coupled to and extending in a second direction between opposing inner portions of said peripheral wall so as to provide mechanical support to said peripheral wall, said second direction being generally transverse to said first direction, said at least one baffle wall being structurally distinct from but mechanically coupled to said inner portions of said peripheral wall so as to be substantially transversely locked to said peripheral wall thereby to substantially prevent relative movement between said at least one baffle wall and said peripheral wall in said second direction, wherein said inner portions of said peripheral wall and longitudinal side edges of said baffle wall include complimentary interlocking coupling structures shaped to allow at least some relative longitudinal displacement, to thereby minimize thermal stresses in said first direction, and to substantially prevent relative movement in said second direction between said baffle wall and said peripheral wall and between said inner portions of said peripheral walls, to thereby provide mechanical support in said second direction.