Cooled rotor blade

Abstract

A rotor blade is provided that includes a root and a hollow airfoil. The hollow airfoil has a cavity, a leading edge, and a tip. An internal passage configuration is disposed within the cavity that includes a first radial passage, a second radial passage, and a rib disposed between the passages. The passages and the rib are contiguous with a tip endwall. The first radial passage is disposed contiguous with the leading edge. A plurality of crossover apertures are disposed in the rib. One of the crossover apertures is disposed flush with the tip endwall. A conduit is disposed within the root that is operable to permit airflow through the root and into the passages. In some embodiments, an aperture is disposed within the tip endwall aligned with the first radial passage.

1 . A rotor blade, comprising: 
 a root;    a hollow airfoil having a cavity, a leading edge, and a tip;    an internal passage configuration disposed within the cavity, which configuration includes a first radial passage, a second radial passage, and a rib disposed between the passages, wherein the passages and the rib are contiguous with a tip endwall, and the first radial passage is disposed contiguous with the leading edge, and a plurality of crossover apertures are disposed in the rib, and one of the crossover apertures is disposed flush with the tip endwall; and    a conduit disposed within the root that is operable to permit airflow through the root and into the passages.    
   
   
       2 . The rotor blade of  claim 1 , wherein the first radial passage is a cavity.  
   
   
       3 . The rotor blade of  claim 1 , wherein the first radial passage extends down and opens to the conduit.  
   
   
       4 . The rotor blade of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one aperture disposed in the endwall, aligned with the first radial passage.  
   
   
       5 . The rotor blade of  claim 4 , further comprising a tip pocket disposed in the tip of the rotor blade.  
   
   
       6 . The rotor blade of  claim 5 , wherein the aperture disposed in the endwall aligned with the first radial passage extends between the first radial passage and the tip pocket.