Patent ID: 7597536
Filing Date: 2009-10-06
Classification: F01D,F05B,F05D

Abstract:
1. A turbine airfoil comprising: a root; an airfoil portion having a pressure side and a suction side; a platform extending from the airfoil portion; the root, the airfoil portion and the platform are a single piece; a thin slot formed in the airfoil between the platform and the airfoil portion, the thin slot reducing a stiffness between the platform and the airfoil to uncouple the platform from the airfoil portion to reduce stresses due to thermal gradients, the thin slot opening onto the platform surface and having a bottom that does not pass through the platform; a metering hole fluidly connecting the thin slot with a dead rim cavity formed below the platform for supplying a cooling fluid into the slot; and, a plurality of thin slots formed around the periphery of the airfoil on the pressure side and the suction side, each of the plurality of slots having a metering hole therein to supply a cooling fluid to the respective thin slot.