Turbine assembly and method for reducing fluid flow between turbine components

Abstract

According to one aspect of the invention, a turbine assembly includes a stator and a rotor adjacent to the stator. The turbine assembly also includes a passage formed in a projection from the rotor to form a fluid curtain between the rotor and stator, wherein the fluid curtain reduces a flow of fluid into a hot gas path.

1 . A turbine assembly comprising:
 a stator,   a rotor adjacent to the stator; and   a passage formed in a projection from the rotor to form a fluid curtain between the rotor and stator, wherein the fluid curtain reduces a flow of fluid into a hot gas path.   
     
     
         2 . The turbine assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the rotor comprises an airfoil extending from a base of the rotor and wherein the projection is disposed on the base. 
     
     
         3 . The turbine assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the projection comprises an angel wing. 
     
     
         4 . The turbine assembly of  claim 2 , wherein a cavity is formed between the base of the rotor and a base of the stator, the cavity receiving a cooling air flow and wherein the passage extends through the base of the rotor to receive the cooling air flow from the cavity to supply the flow of fluid for the fluid curtain. 
     
     
         5 . The turbine assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the passage is supplied the flow of fluid from an internal passage within the rotor base for cooling the airfoil. 
     
     
         6 . The turbine assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the passage comprises a narrowing passage to cause increased fluid flow velocity within the passage to form the fluid curtain. 
     
     
         7 . The turbine assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the passage directs the flow of fluid at an angle with respect to a line substantially perpendicular to a turbine axis. 
     
     
         8 . A method for reducing fluid flow between turbine components comprising:
 flowing a hot gas across a nozzle on a stator;   flowing the hot gas across a bucket on a rotor adjacent to the stator;   flowing a cooling air flow through inner portions of the stator and rotor; and   forming a curtain of fluid between the stator and rotor to reduce leaking of the flow of cooling air into the flow of hot gas.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein forming the curtain of fluid comprises flowing a fluid from a passage in a projection disposed on the rotor. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the projection comprises an angel wing. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the passage receives the fluid from a portion of the cooling air flow. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the passage receives the fluid from an internal passage within the rotor for cooling an airfoil. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the passage directs fluid at an angle with respect to a line substantially perpendicular to a turbine axis. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein forming the curtain of fluid comprises flowing a fluid from a passage in a projection disposed on the stator. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the passage receives the fluid from a portion of the cooling air flow. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the passage receives the fluid from an internal passage within the rotor for cooling an airfoil. 
     
     
         17 . A turbine assembly comprising:
 a stator,   a rotor adjacent to the stator; and   a passage in a projection disposed on the stator to form a fluid curtain between the rotor and stator, wherein the fluid curtain reduces a flow of fluid into a hot gas path.   
     
     
         18 . The turbine assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the stator comprises an airfoil extending from a base of the stator and wherein the projection extends from a diaphragm of the stator. 
     
     
         19 . The turbine assembly of  claim 17 , wherein inner portions of the stator and rotor receive a cooling air flow and wherein the fluid curtain is formed from the cooling air flow.