US4063850A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gas turbine engine having a ceramic turbine wheel
Assignee: MTU Aero Engines AG
•
Filing: 1976-11-22
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Granted: 1977-12-20
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Expires: 1996-11-22
Abstract
Abstract A gas turbine having a rotor including a ceramic turbine wheel and a rotor shaft formed in part of ceramic material, the wheel and ceramic shaft portion being formed as one piece. The ceramic shaft portion extends into a cooler zone of the engine where it is connected to a steel shaft portion. The ceramic shaft portion is supported by a radial bearing, preferably an air bearing. A ceramic disk projects radially from, and is formed as one piece with, the ceramic shaft portion, the disk cooperating with a thrust bearing, preferably an air bearing.
Inventors
- 👤 Alfred Hueber
- 👤 Klaus Hagemeister
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 03:13
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01D; F01D5/00; F01D5/02; F01D5/026; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S60/00; Y10S60/909; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49316; Y10T29/4932
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A gas turbine engine having a rotor including a rotor shaft and a turbine wheel, the turbine wheel being in a high temperature zone of the engine and the engine also having a cooler zone, the turbine wheel being made of a ceramic material, and the rotor shaft including a portion of ceramic material formed as one piece with the turbine wheel, said rotor shaft portion extending into the cooler zone of the engine.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
A gas turbine engine having a rotor including a rotor shaft and a turbine wheel, the turbine wheel being in a high temperature zone of the engine and the engine also having a cooler zone, the turbine wheel being made of a ceramic material, and the rotor shaft including a portion of ceramic material formed as one piece with the turbine wheel, said rotor shaft portion extending into the cooler zone of the engine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A gas turbine as defined in claim 1 wherein the rotor shaft includes a steel portion coaxial with and connected to the ceramic shaft portion, the connection being in the cooler zone of the engine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
A gas turbine as defined in claim 1 wherein the ceramic portion of the rotor shaft projects from at least one side of the turbine wheel, and including a bearing supporting the rotor shaft, the ceramic shaft portion extending for a distance at least as long as the bearing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A gas turbine as defined in claim 3 wherein the bearing is an air bearing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
A gas turbine as defined in claim 1 including a ceramic disk projecting radially from the ceramic shaft portion, the disk being formed as one piece with the ceramic shaft portion, and a thrust bearing cooperating with the disk to substantially prevent axial movement of the shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A gas turbine as defined in claim 5 wherein the thrust bearing is an air bearing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A gas turbine as defined in claim 6 including a radial air bearing supporting the ceramic shaft portion, the thrust and radial air bearings being combined as a single unit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1980-12-19 | 1981-06-20 | 1981-12-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-12-19 | 1985-06-20 | 1985-12-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-12-19 | 1989-06-20 | 1989-12-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |