Patent Publication Number: US-9835174-B2

Title: Anti-rotation lug and splitline jumper

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/793,960 filed on Mar. 15, 2013 and entitled the same as the present patent application. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention generally relates to methods and systems concerning a connecting component for use in a compressor that also provides anti-rotation capabilities. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Gas turbine engines operate to produce mechanical work or thrust. More specifically, land-based gas turbine engines typically have a generator coupled thereto for the purposes of generating electricity through the mechanical work produced by the gas turbine engine. A gas turbine engine comprises an inlet that directs air to a compressor section, which has stages of rotating compressor blades. As the air passes through the subsequent stages of the compressor, the pressure of the air increases. The compressed air is then directed into one or more combustors where fuel is injected into the compressed air and the mixture is ignited to form hot combustion gases. The hot combustion gases are then directed from the combustion section to a turbine section. As the hot combustion gases pass through the stages of the turbine, the heated gas causes the stages of turbine blades to rotate, which in turn, causes the compressor to rotate. 
     The air from the inlet is directed through a compressor section, with the compressor having a plurality of alternating axial stages of rotating blades and stationary vanes. As the air travels through the compressor, its pressure increases as well as its temperature. An axial stage of compressor vanes and mounting hardware forms a compressor diaphragm that is secured to the engine and directs the flow of air onto the compressor blades. These type of compressor diaphragms are typically broken into segments. The compressor diaphragms are typically broken into segments, but due to the thermal and aerodynamic loading on these segments, there is a tendency for the compressor diaphragm segments to move and/or rotate, causing wear to the compressor diaphragm segments and the case in which they are housed. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a novel and improved system and method concerning an anti-rotation lug. Embodiments of the present invention concern a splitline jumper which is configured to remain captive in a compressor diaphragm assembly so as to provide a joining and anti-rotation function between adjacent compressor diaphragm segments. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, a compressor diaphragm comprises a seal ring segment and a stator component coupled to the seal ring segment where a splitline jumper is positioned within the seal ring segment proximate a top face of the ring segment and extending towards an adjacent compressor diaphragm. 
     In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a splitline jumper for connecting adjacent seal ring segments and preventing rotation of the seal ring segments is disclosed. The splitline jumper has a first portion with a first end and a second portion with a second end, where the second end is rounded. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method of securing adjacent compressor diaphragms together comprises providing first and second compressor diaphragms where the diaphragms have a seal ring segment and a stator component. A splitline jumper is provided for joining the first and second diaphragms where a second portion of the splitline jumper is placed in the seal ring segment of the first or second diaphragm and a first portion of the splitline jumper is placed in the seal segment of an adjacent compressor diaphragm, such that the splitline jumper couples the first diaphragm to the second diaphragm to prevent the compressor diaphragms from rotation. 
     Additional advantages and features of the present invention will be set forth in part in a description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned from practice of the invention. The instant invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portion of a compressor diaphragm in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of portions of adjacent compressor diaphragms in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a portion of a compressor diaphragm and splitline jumper in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a portion of a seal ring segment of a compressor diaphragm in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a splitline jumper in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The subject matter of the present invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different components, combinations of components, steps, or combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. 
     The present invention is described in detail in relation to  FIGS. 1-5  and can be applied to variety compressor diaphragm configurations utilizing anti-rotation features. 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 1  a portion of a compressor diaphragm  100  is depicted. As shown in  FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 , the compressor diaphragm  100  comprises a seal ring segment  102 , where the seal ring segment  102  has a forward face  104 , an aft face  106 , a first side face  108  and a second, and opposing side face  110  (not depicted). The seal ring segment  102  also comprises a top face  112  and an opposing bottom face  114 . 
     The compressor diaphragm  100  also comprises a stator component  120  coupled to the seal ring segment  102 . The stator component  120 , which is depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , comprises a platform  122  and a plurality of airfoils  124  extending outward from the platform. The quantity of airfoils  124  comprising the stator component  120  can vary. For the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , three airfoils  124  are spaced along the stator component  120 . In an embodiment of the present invention, the stator component  120  further comprises an opening  126  located along a side face  128  of the platform  122 . The purpose of this opening  126  will be better understood in view of the discussion below. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the compressor diaphragm  100  also comprises a splitline jumper  140  that is positioned within the seal ring segment  102 , proximate the top face  112 . The splitline jumper  140  extends from a side face of the ring segment, such as first side face  108  across a gap and towards an adjacent compressor diaphragm, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 , the seal ring segment  102  also includes a forward hook  116  and an aft hook  118 . The forward hook  116  and aft hook  118  are utilized to help aid in securing the stator component to the seal ring segment  102 . More specifically, the forward hook  116  engages a forward slot  130  while the aft hook  118  engages an aft slot  132 . 
     Referring specifically to  FIG. 4 , another feature in an embodiment of the present invention of the seal ring segment  102  is a recessed portion  134 . As will be discussed in more detail below, the recessed portion  134  provides a region in the seal ring segments  102  for receiving the splitline jumper  140 . The recessed portion  134  may be located proximate the top face  112  of the seal ring segment  102  and in an embodiment of the present invention further comprises an opening  136  that extends through the bottom face  114  of the seal ring segment  102 . The recessed portion  134  can take on a variety of shapes and sizes, depending on the size of the seal ring segment  102  and the size of the splitline jumper  140 . One such geometry for the recessed portion  134  is a U-shape, as depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a splitline jumper  140  is shown in perspective view. As mentioned above, and will be discussed in more detail below, the splitline jumper  140  is used to bridge gaps between adjacent compressor diaphragms  100  and  200  in order to minimize the amount of relative axial movement between the adjacent compressor diaphragms and to prevent rotation between the compressor diaphragms and the seal rings. That is, in order to aid in manufacturing of the compressor diaphragms and stator components, it is desirable to split the full ring of the compressor components into segments. However, under aerodynamic and mechanical loading, these segments are susceptible to relative axial movement and rotation. Connecting the separated segments together in the engine helps to minimize the amount of relative movement. 
     The splitline jumper  140  comprises an elongated body  142  extending a length L and having a width W. The length L and width W can vary in size depending on the recessed portion  134 . Width W is sized relative to a corresponding width in the recessed portion  134  so as to minimize movement of the splitline jumper  140  and therefore minimize movement of the compressor diaphragms. 
     The splitline jumper  140  extends from a first end  144  to an opposing second end  146 . The splitline jumper  140  is essentially comprised of two portions, a first portion  148  and a second portion  150 . The first portion  148  is generally rectangular and has a first height H 1  while the second portion  150  has a second height H 2 . As it can be seen from  FIG. 5 , the second height H 2  is greater than the first height H 1 . The first end  144  tapers from the first height H 1  to a smaller height, while the second end  146  of the second portion may be rounded having a cylindrical profile. The second portion  150  of the splitline jumper  140  is further comprised of a lower portion  150 A, a middle portion  150 B, and an upper portion  150 C. As it can be seen from  FIG. 5 , the lower portion  150 A has a cylindrical cross section. However, the exact geometry of the splitline jumper may vary based on the geometry of the seal ring segment and compressor diaphragm. 
     A variety of manufacturing techniques can be used to fabricate the splitline jumper  140 . For example, the splitline jumper could be cast in the desired shape, such as that shown in  FIG. 5 . Alternatively, the splitline jumper  140  could be machined from a piece of bar stock material or even welded or brazed together. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the present invention also discloses a way of securing adjacent compressor diaphragms together. As discussed above, compressor diaphragms are typically manufactured in a plurality of segments in order to aid the manufacturing process. These segments are then assembled into a semi-circular or 180 degree section segment. In order to secure adjacent diaphragms together, a first diaphragm  100  and a second diaphragm  200  are provided as discussed above, where each of the first and second diaphragms have a seal ring segment with a forward face, an aft face, first and second opposing side faces, a top face, and an opposing bottom face. The compressor diaphragm also comprises a stator component coupled to the seal ring segment, where the stator component comprises a platform and a plurality of airfoils extending out from the platform. The stator component of second diaphragm has been removed for clarity purposes. 
     A splitline jumper  140  is also provided for joining the first diaphragm  100  and the second diaphragm  200 , where the splitline jumper  140  is in accordance with that shown in  FIG. 5  and discussed above. The second portion of the splitline jumper  140  is placed with the recessed portion of a seal ring segment. More specifically, for the embodiment disclosed in  FIG. 5  the cylindrical portion of the splitline jumper  140  engages the opening  136  in the recessed portion of the seal ring segment. The first portion of the splitline jumper  140  is then placed within the recessed portion of an adjacent compressor diaphragm such that the resultant assembly places the splitline jumper  140  in a position so as to couple the first compressor diaphragm  100  to the second compressor diaphragm and restrict the compressor diaphragms from rotating relative to each other. Due to the splitline jumper configuration and the recessed portion in the seal ring segment, the splitline jumper is secured within the seal ring segment in both an axially and tangential direction. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the splitline jumper  140  is separable from the recessed portion of the compressor diaphragm  100 . In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the splitline jumper  140  may be permanently or semi-permanently joined to the seal ring segment  102  or the stator component  120 . Where the splitline jumper  140  is secured to the seal ring segment  102  or the stator component  120 , the splitline jumper  140  may be added after other machining processes. 
     The present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments, which are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments and required operations will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from its scope. 
     From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects set forth above, together with other advantages which are obvious and inherent to the system and method. It will be understood that certain features and sub-combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. This is contemplated by and within the scope of the claims.