Internally cooled spoke

Abstract

A turbine engine includes a compressor section, a combustor section in fluid communication with the compressor section, a high pressure turbine in fluid communication with the combustor, a low pressure turbine in fluid communication with the high pressure turbine, and a mid turbine frame located axially between the high pressure turbine and the low pressure turbine. The mid turbine frame includes an outer frame case, an inner frame case, and a plurality of hollow spokes that distribute loads from the inner frame case to the outer frame case. The spokes are hollow to allow cooling airflow to be supplied through the spokes to the inner frame case.

1 . A turbine engine comprising:
 a combustor;   a high pressure turbine section in fluid communication with the combustor;   a low pressure turbine section in fluid communication with the high pressure turbine section; and   a mid-turbine frame located axially between the high pressure turbine section and the low pressure turbine section, the mid-turbine frame having an outer frame case connected to an inner frame case via a plurality of cooled spokes, wherein each of the plurality of cooled spokes are hollow for supplying cooling airflow from outside the outer frame case to the inner frame case.   
     
     
         2 . The turbine engine of  claim 1 , wherein the inner frame case includes a manifold defined by first and second annular portions and first and second radial portions. 
     
     
         3 . The turbine engine of  claim 1 , wherein the mid-turbine frame includes three or more cooled spokes evenly distributed around the inner frame case. 
     
     
         4 . The turbine engine of  claim 1 , wherein the outer frame case includes a plurality of bosses located on an outer surface of the outer frame case for attachment to each of the plurality of cooled spokes. 
     
     
         5 . The turbine engine of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow spokes are connected to the outer frame case by nut that allows the hollow spokes to be tensioned. 
     
     
         6 . A mid-turbine frame located in a gas turbine engine axially aft of a high-pressure turbine and fore of a low-pressure turbine, the mid-turbine frame comprising:
 an outer frame case;   an inner frame case;   a plurality of hollow spokes attached between the outer frame case and the inner frame case to distribute force from the inner frame case to the outer frame case, wherein cooling airflow flows through the plurality of hollow spokes to the inner frame case.   
     
     
         7 . The turbine engine of  claim 6 , wherein the inner frame case includes a manifold defined by first and second annular walls and first and second axial walls for receiving cooling airflow provided via the plurality of hollow spokes. 
     
     
         8 . The turbine engine of  claim 6 , wherein the mid-turbine frame includes three or more hollow spokes evenly distributed around the inner frame case. 
     
     
         9 . The turbine engine of  claim 6 , wherein the outer frame case includes a plurality of bosses located on an outer surface of the outer frame case for attachment to each of the plurality of cooled spokes. 
     
     
         10 . The turbine engine of  claim 6 , wherein the hollow spokes are connected to the outer frame case by nut that allows the hollow spokes to be tensioned.