Patent ID: 8388309

Claim:
Sealing apparatus in a gas turbine comprising forward and aft rows of rotatable blades coupled to a disc/rotor assembly and a row of stationary vanes positioned between the forward and aft rows of rotatable blades, the sealing apparatus comprising: seal housing apparatus coupled to the disc/rotor assembly so as to be rotatable with the disc/rotor assembly during operation of the gas turbine, said seal housing apparatus comprising: a base member extending generally axially between the forward and aft rows of rotatable blades and positioned adjacent to the row of stationary vanes; a first leg portion extending radially inwardly from said base member, said first leg portion coupled to the disc/rotor assembly; a second leg portion axially spaced from said first leg portion, said second leg portion extending radially inwardly from said base member and being coupled to said disc/rotor assembly; and spanning structure extending between and rigidly coupled to each of said base member, said first leg portion, and said second leg portion, said spanning structure comprising first, second, and third truss members, each of said truss members including: a first end portion rigidly coupled to a respective one of said base member, said first leg portion, and said second leg portion; and a second end portion, said second end portion of each of said truss members rigidly coupled together.