Patent ID: 7186079

Claim:
A turbine engine comprising: a rotor comprising: a plurality of disks, each disk extending radially from an inner aperture to an outer periphery; a plurality of stages of blades, each stage borne by an associated one of said disks; a plurality of spacers, each spacer between an adjacent pair of said disks; and a central shaft carrying the plurality of disks and the plurality of spacers to rotate about an axis with the plurality of disks and the plurality of spacers; and a stator comprising: a plurality of stages of vanes, wherein: said spacers include at least a first spacer having a longitudinal cross-section, said longitudinal cross-section having a first portion being essentially outwardly concave in a static condition; and said stages of vanes include at least a first stage of vanes having inboard vane tips in facing proximity to an outer surface of said first spacer at said first portion.