Singlet welded nozzle hybrid design for a turbine

Abstract

A singlet welded nozzle hybrid design that includes a singlet, that is, a single airfoil with respective inner and outer sidewall components. The outer sidewall component is received in a radial and circumferential groove of an outer carrier. The connection of the inner sidewall can be achieved by mechanically fitting and welded the inner sidewalls to either a seal carrier or a small ring, or a small radial weld may be provided between the sidewall endfaces of circumferentially adjacent singlets.

1 . A turbine comprising:
 a turbine nozzle segment having at least one stator airfoil, an inner sidewall at a radially inner end of the stator airfoil, and an outer sidewall structure at the radially outer end of said stator airfoil, a radially inner surface of the inner sidewall having a circumferential groove defined therein, and a complimentary ring component having a key portion for being received in said circumferential groove, said ring component extending at least part circumferentially of an axis of the turbine to engage an inner sidewall of at least two respectively adjacent nozzle inner sidewalls, wherein the ring component is mechanically secured to the nozzle inner sidewalls.   
   
   
       2 . A turbine as in  claim 1 , wherein the ring component is welded to the nozzle inner sidewalls. 
   
   
       3 . A turbine as in  claim 1 , wherein said ring component comprises a seal carrier. 
   
   
       4 . A turbine as in  claim 3 , wherein said seal carrier is a brush-type seal carrier. 
   
   
       5 . A turbine as in  claim 3 , wherein said seal carrier is a laminated-type seal carrier. 
   
   
       6 . A turbine as in  claim 3 , wherein said seal carrier is welded to said nozzle inner sidewall. 
   
   
       7 . A turbine as in  claim 3 , wherein a radial bolt is disposed to extend through said seal carrier and into said nozzle inner sidewall. 
   
   
       8 . A turbine as in  claim 1 , wherein a radial bolt is disposed to extend through said ring component and into said nozzle inner sidewall. 
   
   
       9 . A turbine as in  claim 1 , wherein said outer sidewall is slidably disposed in a nozzle carrier of the turbine. 
   
   
       10 . A turbine as in  claim 9 , wherein the outer sidewall is welded to a solid ring disposed radially outwardly of said turbine nozzle and extending circumferentially about a plurality of said nozzle segments. 
   
   
       11 . A turbine comprising:
 a turbine nozzle segment having at least one stator airfoil and including an inner sidewall at a radially inner end of the stator airfoil and an outer sidewall structure at the radially outer end of said stator airfoil; and   an outer ring carrier having a radially inwardly open groove; wherein   said outer sidewall is configured to slideably engage said groove in a radial direction while being restricted from moving in an axial direction with respect thereto, and   the inner sidewall is mechanically coupled to circumferentally adjacent turbine nozzle segments.   
   
   
       12 . A turbine as in  claim 11 , wherein said outer sidewall is welded to an outer ring that is slideably received in said groove with said outer sidewall. 
   
   
       13 . A turbine as in  claim 12 , wherein said outer sidewall has a flat radially outer face that engages a flat radially inner face of said outer ring. 
   
   
       14 . A turbine as in  claim 12 , wherein outer ring extends part circumferentially and is welded to a plurality of said outer sidewalls. 
   
   
       15 . A turbine as in  claim 11 , respectively adjacent nozzle inner sidewall endfaces of said circumferentally adjacent turbine nozzle segments are welded or braised together. 
   
   
       16 . A turbine as in  claim 11 , wherein said inner sidewall has a circumferential groove defined therein and a complimentary ring component having a key portion for being received in said circumferential groove, said ring component extending at least part circumferentially of an axis of the turbine to engage an inner sidewall of at least two respectively adjacent turbine nozzle segments, and wherein the ring component is mechanically secured to the nozzle inner sidewalls. 
   
   
       17 . A turbine as in  claim 16 , wherein the ring component is welded to the nozzle inner sidewalls. 
   
   
       18 . A turbine comprising:
 a turbine nozzle segment having at least one stator airfoil and including an inner sidewall at a radially inner end of the stator airfoil and an outer sidewall structure at the radially outer end of said stator airfoil, wherein respectively adjacent nozzle inner sidewall endfaces are welded or braised together.   
   
   
       19 . A turbine as in  claim 18 , wherein said outer sidewall is slidably disposed in a circumferential groove defined in a nozzle carrier of the turbine. 
   
   
       20 . A turbine as in  claim 19 , wherein said outer sidewall is welded to an outer ring that is slideably received in said circumberential groove with said outer sidewall.