Patent ID: 8418474

Claim:
A transition duct comprising: a first panel assembly; a generally rectangular aft frame fixed to an exit end of the first panel assembly; an inner and outer bulkhead assembly comprising: a first inner and first outer, generally arc-shaped bulkhead having a plurality of first through holes; a second inner and second outer, generally arc-shaped bulkhead having a plurality of second through holes; a plurality of bushings; means for fastening the bulkheads and bushings to the aft frame; a spring plate capable of being received between attachment portions of the second outer bulkhead, the spring plate having a flat portion extending from a top edge to a bottom edge and merging into parallel curved portions that are perpendicular to the flat portion and immediately adjacent to the attachment portions of the second outer bulkhead; an aft mounting bracket for mounting the transition duct to a portion of a turbine frame, the aft mounting bracket coupled to at least the spring plate; wherein the aft frame, the inner and outer bulkhead assemblies, the spring plate, and the aft mounting bracket are secured in a manner so as to allow for thermal expansion of the aft frame in at least a circumferential direction while permitting a natural frequency of the transition duct to be altered.