Bucket assembly for turbine system

Abstract

A bucket assembly for a turbine system is disclosed. The bucket assembly includes a main body having an exterior surface and defining a main cooling circuit, and a platform surrounding the main body and at least partially defining a platform cooling circuit. The platform includes a forward portion and an aft portion each extending between a pressure side slash face and a suction side slash face and further includes a forward face, an aft face, and a top face. The platform cooling circuit includes an upper surface and a lower surface. The bucket assembly further includes a passage extending between and providing fluid communication between the main cooling circuit and the platform cooling circuit. An end opening of the passage is defined in the lower surface of the platform cooling circuit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bucket assembly for a turbine system, comprising:
 a main body having an exterior surface and defining a main cooling circuit;   a platform surrounding the main body and at least partially defining a platform cooling circuit, the platform comprising a forward portion and an aft portion each extending between a pressure side slash face and a suction side slash face and further comprising a forward face, an aft face, and a top face, the platform cooling circuit comprising an upper surface and a lower surface; and   a passage extending between and providing fluid communication between the main cooling circuit and the platform cooling circuit,   wherein an end opening of the passage is defined in the lower surface of the platform cooling circuit.   
     
     
         2 . The bucket assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the main cooling circuit is a forward main cooling circuit. 
     
     
         3 . The bucket assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the end opening is an outlet. 
     
     
         4 . The bucket assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the passage extends in a generally radial direction. 
     
     
         5 . The bucket assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the portion of the passage extending in the radial direction defines the end opening. 
     
     
         6 . The bucket assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the platform cooling circuit comprises a forward portion and an intermediate portion, and wherein the end opening of the passage is defined in the intermediate portion. 
     
     
         7 . The bucket assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the platform cooling circuit further comprises an outlet portion. 
     
     
         8 . The bucket assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the platform cooling circuit has a generally serpentine path. 
     
     
         9 . The bucket assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an exhaust passage defined in the platform and in fluid communication with the passage. 
     
     
         10 . The bucket assembly of  claim 9 , wherein an outlet of the exhaust passage is defined in the top face of the platform. 
     
     
         11 . The bucket assembly of  claim 9 , wherein an outlet of the exhaust passage is defined in the pressure side slash face of the platform. 
     
     
         12 . The bucket assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the main body comprises a shank and an airfoil. 
     
     
         13 . A turbine system, comprising:
 a compressor;   a turbine coupled to the compressor; and   a plurality of bucket assemblies disposed in at least one of the compressor or the turbine, at least one of the bucket assemblies comprising:
 a main body having an exterior surface and defining a main cooling circuit; 
 a platform surrounding the main body and at least partially defining a platform cooling circuit, the platform comprising a forward portion and an aft portion each extending between a pressure side slash face and a suction side slash face and further comprising a forward face, an aft face, and a top face, the platform cooling circuit comprising an upper surface and a lower surface; and 
 a passage extending between and providing fluid communication between the main cooling circuit and the platform cooling circuit, 
   wherein an end opening of the passage is defined in the lower surface of the platform cooling circuit.   
     
     
         14 . The turbine system of  claim 14 , wherein the main cooling circuit is a forward main cooling circuit. 
     
     
         15 . The turbine system of  claim 14 , wherein the end opening is an outlet. 
     
     
         16 . The turbine system of  claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of the passage extends in a generally radial direction. 
     
     
         17 . The turbine system of  claim 14 , wherein the platform cooling circuit comprises a forward portion and an intermediate portion, and wherein the end opening of the passage is defined in the intermediate portion. 
     
     
         18 . The turbine system of  claim 14 , wherein the platform cooling circuit further comprises an outlet portion. 
     
     
         19 . The turbine system of  claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of the platform cooling circuit has a generally serpentine path. 
     
     
         20 . The turbine system of  claim 14 , further comprising an exhaust passage defined in the platform and in fluid communication with the passage.