Turbine Packing Deflector

Abstract

A turbine includes a rotor being rotatable about an axis, a circumferential array of nozzles having circumferentially spaced airfoils and inner and outer bands disposed at opposite ends thereof, the inner band having a leading portion and a trailing portion, and an array of directors arranged on the inner band, the array of directors operative to direct a flow path of fluid, the flow path of fluid partially defined by the rotor and the inner band.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A turbo machine comprising:
 a rotor being rotatable about an axis;   a circumferential array of nozzles having circumferentially spaced airfoils and inner and outer bands disposed at opposite ends thereof, the inner band having a leading portion and a trailing portion; and   an array of directors arranged on the inner band, the array of directors operative to direct a flow path of fluid, the flow path of fluid partially defined by the rotor and the inner band.   
     
     
         2 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the rotor includes a tooth arranged on the rotor, the tooth and the inner band defining a gap therebetween. 
     
     
         3 . The machine of  claim 2 , wherein the gap further defines the flow path of fluid. 
     
     
         4 . The machine of  claim 2 , wherein the array of directors is arranged a distance x from the tooth, and the inner band is arranged a distance y from the rotor, where a ratio x:y is between 0.3 and 1. 
     
     
         5 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the trailing portion of the inner band includes a guide surface portion having a surface arranged at an oblique angle relative to the axis. 
     
     
         6 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the array of directors is arranged on a guide surface portion of the inner band. 
     
     
         7 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the trailing portion of the inner band includes a guide surface portion having a surface arranged substantially parallel to the axis, and the array of directors is arranged on the guide surface portion. 
     
     
         8 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein each director of the array of directors defines a linear axis, the linear axis of each of the directors are arranged substantially in parallel to each other. 
     
     
         9 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein each directors of the array of directors has an arcuate shape that defines a chord line, wherein the chord line of each of the directors are arranged substantially parallel to each other. 
     
     
         10 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the machine includes a turbine. 
     
     
         11 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the machine includes a compressor. 
     
     
         12 . An inner band of a turbine machine, the inner band comprising:
 a leading portion and a trailing portion; and   an array of directors arranged on the inner band, the array of directors operative to direct a flow path of fluid, the flow path of fluid partially defined by a rotor and the inner band.   
     
     
         13 . The inner band of  claim 12 , wherein the array of directors are arranged proximate to the trailing portion of the inner band. 
     
     
         14 . The inner band of  claim 12 , wherein the trailing portion of the inner band includes a guide surface portion having a surface arranged at an oblique angle relative to an axis intersecting a plane defined by the inner band, the axis normal to the plane. 
     
     
         15 . The inner band of  claim 12 , wherein the array of directors is arranged on a guide surface portion of the inner band. 
     
     
         16 . The inner band of  claim 12 , wherein the trailing portion of the inner band includes a guide surface portion having a surface arranged substantially parallel to an axis intersecting a plane defined by the inner band, the axis normal to the plane, and the array of directors is arranged on the guide surface portion. 
     
     
         17 . The inner band of  claim 12 , wherein each director of the array of directors defines a linear axis, the linear axis of each of the directors are arranged substantially in parallel to each other. 
     
     
         18 . The inner band of  claim 12 , wherein each directors of the array of directors has an arcuate shape that defines a chord line, wherein the chord line of each of the directors are arranged substantially parallel to each other. 
     
     
         19 . An array of directors comprising a plurality of fins extending from a guide surface of an inner band portion of a turbine, the inner band portion arranged at an end portion of an array of nozzles, the plurality of fins being operative to direct a flow path of a fluid, the flow path partially defined by the inner band portion and a portion of a rotor having an axis of rotation. 
     
     
         20 . The array of directors of  claim 19 , wherein the fins of the plurality of fins include opposing planar sides arranged at an oblique angle relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor.