Turbine Shroud Impingement System with Bellows

Abstract

The present application provides a turbine shroud impingement system. The turbine shroud impingement system may include a turbine shroud segment, an impingement box positioned within the turbine shroud segment, a feed tube in communication with the impingement box, and a bellows positioned about the feed tube.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A turbine shroud impingement system, comprising:
 a turbine shroud segment;   an impingement box positioned within the turbine shroud segment;   a feed tube in communication with the impingement box; and   a bellows positioned about the feed tube.   
     
     
         2 . The turbine shroud impingement system of  claim 1 , wherein the shroud. segment comprises a lower surface and wherein the impingement box comprises a bottom surface adjacent to the lower surface of the shroud segment. 
     
     
         3 . The turbine shroud impingement system of  claim 2 , wherein the bottom surface of the impingement box comprises a plurality of impingement holes therein. 
     
     
         4 . The turbine shroud impingement system of  claim 1 , wherein the impingement box comprises axial load face thereon. 
     
     
         5 . The turbine shroud impingement system of  claim 4 , wherein the impingement box comprises an offset inlet positioned about the axial load face. 
     
     
         6 . The turbine shroud impingement system of  claim 5 , wherein the offset inlet comprises a tube-like or conical shape. 
     
     
         7 . The turbine shroud impingement system of  claim 1 , wherein the bellows comprises one or more convolutions. 
     
     
         8 . The turbine shroud impingement system of  claim 1 , wherein the feed tube comprises a first section and a second section and wherein the bellows is positioned between the first section and the second section. 
     
     
         9 . The turbine shroud impingement system of  claim 1 , wherein the bellows is attached to the impingement box. 
     
     
         10 . The turbine shroud impingement system of  claim 1 , wherein the shroud segment comprises an impingement box aperture therein. 
     
     
         11 . The turbine shroud impingement system of  claim 1 , wherein the shroud. segment comprises a feed tube aperture therein. 
     
     
         12 . The turbine shroud impingement system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of shroud segments. 
     
     
         13 . A method of cooling a shroud segment, comprising:
 positioning an impingement box within the shroud segment;   positioning a feed tube with a bellows within an inlet of the impingement box;   maintaining the feed tube within the inlet of the impingement box by axial compression of the bellows; and   delivering a flow of air through the feed tube to the impingement box to cool the shroud segment.   
     
     
         14 . A turbine shroud impingement system, comprising:
 a turbine shroud segment;   an impingement box with a plurality of impingement holes positioned within the turbine shroud segment;   a feed tube in communication with the impingement box; and   a bellows with a plurality of convolutions positioned about feed tube.   
     
     
         15 . The turbine shroud impingement system of  claim 14 , wherein the shroud segment comprises a lower surface and wherein the impingement box comprises a bottom surface adjacent to the lower surface of the shroud segment. 
     
     
         16 . The turbine shroud impingement system of  claim 14 , wherein the feed tube comprises a first section and a second section and wherein the bellows is positioned between the first section and the second section. 
     
     
         17 . The turbine shroud impingement system of  claim 14 , wherein the bellows is attached to the impingement box.