Patent ID: 8662831

Claim:
A shell structure for a turbine engine, the shell structure comprising: a plurality of diaphragms, wherein each diaphragm comprises an annularly formed support structure that positions and secures a row of circumferentially spaced stator blades in a manner such that the stator blades deliver a working fluid flowing through a main flow path to a row of circumferentially spaced rotor blades in a manner consistent with efficient turbine engine operation, and wherein the plurality of diaphragms are configured and axially stacked such that each diaphragm abuts the diaphragm that is positioned directly upstream, if present, from it and the diaphragm that is positioned directly downstream, if present, from it such that a first shell structure is formed; a second shell structure disposed outboard of the first shell structure, the second shell structure comprises a cylindrically formed rigid structure that is in proximity to and surrounds the first shell structure; and an intermediate chamber defined between an outboard face of the first shell structure and an inboard face of the second shell structure; wherein: a downstream end and an upstream end of the first shell structure define the axial length of the first shell structure; one or more downstream radial ports are defined at the approximate axial position of the downstream end of the first shell structure, each downstream radial port fluidly connecting the intermediate chamber to the main flow path of the turbine engine; between the axial position of the downstream radial ports and the axial position of the upstream end of the first shell structure, the first shell structure is configured such that the intermediate chamber is substantially sealed from the main flow path; the first shell structure and the second shell structure are configured to substantially seal the intermediate chamber at the upstream end of the first shell structure; and the seal comprises a circumferentially extending radial flange formed in the diaphragm ring that is configured to engage a circumferentially extending radial groove formed in the second shell structure.