Patent ID: 8632300

Claim:
A gas turbine comprising: a casing having a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface comprising an annular slot extending circumferentially therein; a first diaphragm assembly comprising a first inner structure, a first outer structure, and a plurality of airfoils extending between said first inner and outer structures; a second diaphragm assembly comprising a second inner structure, a second outer structure, and a plurality of airfoils extending between said second inner and outer structures; and first energy absorbing apparatus engaging a first end portion of said first outer structure so as to absorb at least portions of unsteady aerodynamic loads and steady rotational loads generated by said first diaphragm assembly, said first energy absorbing apparatus comprising: a first spring support coupled to said first end portion of said first outer structure of said first diaphragm assembly; a second spring support coupled to a second end portion of said second outer structure of said second diaphragm assembly; and first spring structure extending from said first spring support to said second spring support.