Patent ID: 8182207

Claim:
A turbine comprising: an outer shell; an inner shell connected to and surrounded by the outer shell in generally concentric relation therewith; at least one turbine rotor housed within the inner shell; a plurality of nozzles and shrouds carried by the inner shell; a plurality of connecting elements engaging the inner and outer shells and aligning the inner shell about the rotor, at least two of the connecting elements lying along a horizontal split line of the inner shell; a plurality of recesses spaced circumferentially about the inner shell receiving portions of the connecting elements; a first circumferential clearance between each recess and connecting element in the direction of the applied torque loading generated by the nozzles; a second circumferential clearance between each recess and connecting element in the direction of the counteracting torque loading; and at least one compliant support disposed between at least one of the connecting elements and the recess being exposed to gravitational and counteracting torque loadings in opposite directions such that the sum of the first circumferential clearance and second first circumferential clearance is greater than about 0 mils.