Stator assembly

Claim 2

A stator assembly comprising: an outer casing longitudinally split into at least two sectors and having a dovetail groove around the inside surface thereof; an inner segmented shroud longitudinally split into at least two sectors, each of which has a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart pockets in the outer surface thereof wherein each pocket is undercut at one end, and a plurality of stator vanes extending radially between the shroud and casing with each vane having: an inner root portion which includes an integral heel portion and an integrally extending toe portion for engaging the undercut end of a respective shroud pocket, and an outer platform from which extend forward and aft tangs which engage the dovetail groove.

Claim 3

The stator assembly of claim 1 wherein the shroud is plastic.

Claim 4

The stator assembly of claim 1 wherein the casing is longitudinally split along two 180* sectors and the sectors are connected by a plurality of axially spaced apart locking bolts which pass through aligned holes in two pairs of integral flanges which are spaced 180* apart around the casing.

Claim 5

The stator assembly of claim 1 wherein each stator vane may be individually inserted into a respective pocket in the shroud by first rotating the stator vane in relation to the center axis of the shoud in order to insert the tang portion of the root into the pocket so as to engage the undercut surface whereupon the stator vane may be rotated about the undercut surface so as to bring the heel portion of the root into engagement with the pocket.

Claim 6

A compressor comprising: an outer casing longitudinally split into at least two sectors and having at least one dovetail groove around the inside surface thereof; a rotor from which extend at least two axially spaced apart rows of rotor blades; at least one inner segmented shroud longitudinally split into at least two sectors which are interposed between two rows of rotor blades wherein the sectors each include a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart pockets in the outer surface thereof, each of which is undercut at one end, and a plurality of stator vanes extending radially between the shroud and casing with each vane having: an inner root portion including an integral heel portion and an integrally extending toe portion for engaging the undercut end of a respective shroud pocket, and an outer platform from which extend forward and aft tangs which engage the dovetail groove.

Claim 7

A compressor comprising: an outer casing longitudinally split into at least two sectors and having at least one dovetail groove around the inside surface thereof; a rotor from which extend at least two axially spaced apart rows of rotor blades; at least one inner segmented shroud longitudinally split into at least two sectors which are interposed between two rows of rotor blades wherein the sectors each include a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart pockets in the outer surface thereof, each of which is undercut at one end, and a plurality of stator vanes extending radially between the shroud and casing with each vane having: an inner root portion including an integral heel portion and an integrally extending toe portion for engaging the undercut end of a respective shroud pocket, and an outer platform from which extend forward and aft tangs which engage the dovetail groove.

Claim 8

The compressor of claim 5 wherein the shroud in plastic.

Claim 9

The compressor of claim 5 wherein the casing is longitudinally split along two 180* sectors and the sectors are connected by a plurality of axially spaced apart locking bolts which pass through aligned holes in two pairs of integral flanges which are spaced 180* apart around the compressor casing.

Claim 10

The compressor of claim 5 wherein each stator vane may be individually inserted into a respective pocket in the shroud by first rotating the stator vane in relation to the center axis of the shroud in order to insert the tang portion of the root into the pocket so as to engage the undercut surface whereupon the stator vane may be rotated about the undercut surface so as to bring the heel portion of the root into engagement with the pocket.

Claim 11

The compressor of claim 5 wherein the inner shroud operates as the stator member of a labyrinth type seal by engaging a plurality of revolving teeth formed integral to the compressor rotor.