US3704075A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Combined turbine nozzle and bearing frame
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1970-12-14
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Granted: 1972-11-28
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Expires: 1990-12-14
Abstract
Abstract A turbine engine having a gasifier turbine rotor and a power turbine rotor, a bearing frame providing a bearing support for the shaft of the gasifier turbine rotor, the bearing frame and a turbine nozzle being integrally formed to provide a continuous annular passage between the rotors, support struts extending radially across the annular passage within the bearing frame being integrally formed with respective vanes extending radially across the annular passage within the turbine nozzle to simplify construction of the turbine engine and reduce flow disturbance within the annular passage.
Inventors
- 👤 Karl W Karstensen
- 👤 Richard W Kizer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 22:22
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01D; F01D9/00; F01D9/06; F01D9/065; F01D25/00; F01D25/16; F01D25/162; F01D9/02; F01D9/04; F01D9/041
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
In an axial flow fluid turbine engine comprising a power turbine rotor, a gasifier turbine rotor mounted on a shaft extending toward the power turbine rotor, a bearing frame arranged between the two rotors and a power turbine nozzle arranged between the bearing frame and the power turbine rotor, the bearing frame having two generally cylindrical, spaced apart elements forming an annular passage in fluid communication with the gasifier turbine rotor, a plurality of struts extending radially across the annular passage of the bearing frame to support the inner member relative to the outer member, the inner member providing a bearing support for the gasifier turbine rotor shaft, the power turbine nozzle defining an annular passage for fluid communication between the annular passage of the bearing frame and the power turbine rotor, a plurality of vanes extending radially across the annular passage of the power turbine nozzle, the improvement comprising the bearing frame and power turbine nozzle being integrally formed to provide a unitary annular passage between the power turbine rotor and the gasifier turbine rotor, each of the struts being integrally formed with a respective one of the nozzle vanes, each strut being faired into its integral vane for reducing flow disturbance within the unitary annular passage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
208 words
In an axial flow fluid turbine engine comprising a power turbine rotor, a gasifier turbine rotor mounted on a shaft extending toward the power turbine rotor, a bearing frame arranged between the two rotors and a power turbine nozzle arranged between the bearing frame and the power turbine rotor, the bearing frame having two generally cylindrical, spaced apart elements forming an annular passage in fluid communication with the gasifier turbine rotor, a plurality of struts extending radially across the annular passage of the bearing frame to support the inner member relative to the outer member, the inner member providing a bearing support for the gasifier turbine rotor shaft, the power turbine nozzle defining an annular passage for fluid communication between the annular passage of the bearing frame and the power turbine rotor, a plurality of vanes extending radially across the annular passage of the power turbine nozzle, the improvement comprising the bearing frame and power turbine nozzle being integrally formed to provide a unitary annular passage between the power turbine rotor and the gasifier turbine rotor, each of the struts being integrally formed with a respective one of the nozzle vanes, each strut being faired into its integral vane for reducing flow disturbance within the unitary annular passage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
89 words
The turbine engine of claim 1 wherein conduit means for providing lubricant to a bearing between the inner frame element and the gasifier turbine rotor shaft is disposed within at least one of the struts, a cylindrical housing member being secured within the inner element of the bearing frame, outer bearing support means being fixed within the housing member, inner bearing support means being fixed to the gasifier turbine rotor shaft and means providing a seal between the housing member and shaft on axially opposite sides of the bearing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
161 words
In a combined nozzle and bearing frame arrangement for use in conjunction with an axially aligned turbine or compressor rotor, the bearing frame having two generally cylindrical, spaced apart members forming an annular passage in fluid communication with the rotor, a plurality of struts extending radially across the annular passage of the bearing frame to support the inner member relative to the outer member, the inner member providing a bearing support for the rotor, the nozzle defining an annular passage for fluid communication between the annular passage of the bearing frame and the rotor, a plurality of vanes extending radially across the annular passage of the nozzle, the improvement comprising the bearing frame and nozzle being integrally formed to provide a unitary annular passage in communication with the rotor, each of the struts being integrally formed with a respective one of the nozzle vanes, each strut being faired into its integral vane for reducing flow disturbance within the unitary annular passage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
161 words
In a combined nozzle and bearing frame arrangement for use in conjunction with an axially aligned turbine or compressor rotor, the bearing frame having two generally cylindrical, spaced apart members forming an annular passage in fluid communication with the rotor, a plurality of struts extending radially across the annular passage of the bearing frame to support the inner member relative to the outer member, the inner member providing a bearing support for the rotor, the nozzle defining an annular passage for fluid communication between the annular passage of the bearing frame and the rotor, a plurality of vanes extending radially across the annular passage of the nozzle, the improvement comprising the bearing frame and nozzle being integrally formed to provide a unitary annular passage in communication with the rotor, each of the struts being integrally formed with a respective one of the nozzle vanes, each strut being faired into its integral vane for reducing flow disturbance within the unitary annular passage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
90 words
The nozzle and bearing frame assembly of claim 3 wherein conduit means for providing lubricant To a bearing between the inner frame element and a shaft for the rotor is disposed within at least one of the struts, a cylindrical housing member being secured within the inner member of the bearing frame, outer bearing support means being fixed within the housing member, inner bearing support means being fixed to the rotor shaft with means providing a seal between the housing member and shaft on axially opposite sides of the bearing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-11-28 | 1976-05-29 | 1976-11-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-28 | 1980-05-29 | 1980-11-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-28 | 1984-05-29 | 1984-11-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |