Patent US3897169A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3897169A
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US
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Leakage control structure
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1973-04-19
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Granted: 1975-07-29
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Expires: 1993-04-19
Abstract
Abstract An improved leakage control structure is provided between a bucket cover of a turbine and the surrounding diaphragm thereof to reduce leakage of the fluid flow in this area during operation of the turbine.
Inventors
- 👤 Jackson E Fowler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 17:15
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01D; F01D11/00; F01D11/08; F01D5/00; F01D5/12; F01D5/22; F01D5/225
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
An improved leakage control structure for use in the fluid flow path of a turbine comprising: a diaphragm including a stationary nozzle ring upstream from an adjacent bucket wheel, the bucket wheel including a plurality of radially extending buckets; the buckets connected at their tip portions by at least one bucket cover circumferentially disposed about the bucket tips; a fluid leakage path defined by a pair of axially extending boundaries including the radially outer circumferential surface of the bucket cover and a radially inner, annular diaphragm portion downstream from the nozzle ring; first and second axial stepped portions formed on one of the pair of boundaries upstream of the connections and further including an annular radially extending side surface therebetween; a first annular fin extending radially from the other of said boundaries toward the first stepped portion and terminating in a tip portion closely adjacent the first stepped portion to form a clearance therebetween; a second annular fin extending radially from the other of said boundaries toward the second stepped portion and terminating in a tip portion closely adjacent the second stepped portion; and, the first and second annular fins axially positioned substantially upstream from the mid-point between the bucket leading and trailing edges.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
204 words
An improved leakage control structure for use in the fluid flow path of a turbine comprising: a diaphragm including a stationary nozzle ring upstream from an adjacent bucket wheel, the bucket wheel including a plurality of radially extending buckets; the buckets connected at their tip portions by at least one bucket cover circumferentially disposed about the bucket tips; a fluid leakage path defined by a pair of axially extending boundaries including the radially outer circumferential surface of the bucket cover and a radially inner, annular diaphragm portion downstream from the nozzle ring; first and second axial stepped portions formed on one of the pair of boundaries upstream of the connections and further including an annular radially extending side surface therebetween; a first annular fin extending radially from the other of said boundaries toward the first stepped portion and terminating in a tip portion closely adjacent the first stepped portion to form a clearance therebetween; a second annular fin extending radially from the other of said boundaries toward the second stepped portion and terminating in a tip portion closely adjacent the second stepped portion; and, the first and second annular fins axially positioned substantially upstream from the mid-point between the bucket leading and trailing edges.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improved leakage control structure according to claim 1 wherein said side surface on said second stepped portion is concave in contour.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The structure recited in claim 1 wherein the radially extending side surface is downstream from the first annular fin a distance of approximately 10 times the radial width of the clearance between the first annular fin and the first stepped portion; and, the second annular fin is closely adjacent and downstream from the side surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The structure recited in claim 1 wherein the bucket cover is attached to each bucket at a point downstream from the second annular fin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The structure recited in claim 1 wherein the one of said boundaries is the bucket cover and the other of said boundaries is the disphragm portion whereby the first and second annular fins extend radially inwardly from the diaphragm portion toward the first and second stepped portions respectively, on the bucket cover.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The structure recited in claim 1 wherein one of the boundaries is the diaPhragm portion and the other boundary is the bucket cover whereby the first and second annular fins extend radially outwardly from the bucket cover toward the first and second stepped portions respectively, on the diaphragm portion.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-07-28 | 1979-01-27 | 1979-07-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-28 | 1983-01-27 | 1983-07-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-28 | 1987-01-27 | 1987-07-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |