Turbomachine component with platform cooling circuit

Abstract

A turbine component includes an airfoil, a platform having a cold side, a hot side, a pressure side mating face, a suction side mating face, an upstream side relative to a direction of a working flow, and a downstream side. The airfoil is attached to the hot side of the platform. A platform pressure side cooling circuit is formed within the platform and is positioned at the pressure side of the airfoil. The platform pressure side cooling circuit includes a plurality of pressure side mating face cooling holes defined at the pressure side mating face. A platform suction side cooling circuit is formed within the platform and is positioned at the suction side of the airfoil. The platform suction side cooling circuit includes a plurality of downstream side cooling holes defined at the downstream side.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] A gas turbine engine typically comprises a compressor section, a turbine section, and a combustion section located between the compressor and turbine sections. The compressor section includes multi-stage rotating compressor blades and stationary compressor guide vanes. The combustion section typically includes multiple combustors. The turbine section includes multi-stage rotating turbine blades and stationary turbine guide vanes. The turbine blades and guide vanes typically operate at high temperatures and are internally cooled. Summary of the Invention

[0002] In one aspect, a turbine component includes: an airfoil including a pressure side and a suction side; a platform including a cold side, a hot side, a pressure side mating surface, a suction side mating surface, an upstream side face relative to a direction of flow, and a downstream side face relative to the direction of flow, the airfoil being attached to the hot side of the platform; a platform pressure side cooling circuit formed within the platform and positioned at the pressure side of the airfoil, the platform pressure side cooling circuit including a plurality of pressure side mating surface cooling holes defined at the pressure side mating surface; and a platform suction side cooling circuit formed within the platform and positioned at the suction side of the airfoil, the platform suction side cooling circuit including a plurality of downstream side cooling holes defined at the downstream side face.

[0003] In one aspect, a turbine component includes: a platform including a hot side and a cold side; an airfoil attached to the hot side of the platform, the airfoil including an internal cooling channel forming an internal cooling flow; and a platform cooling circuit formed within the platform and arranged to receive a cooling flow that is separate from and different from the internal cooling flow.

[0004] In one aspect, a turbine component includes: an airfoil including a pressure side and a suction side; a platform including a cold side, a hot side, a pressure-side mating surface, a suction-side mating surface, an upstream side relative to a direction of flow, and a downstream side relative to the direction of flow, the airfoil being attached to the hot side of the platform; a platform pressure-side cooling circuit formed within the platform and positioned at the pressure side of the airfoil; a platform suction-side cooling circuit formed within the platform and positioned at the suction side of the airfoil, the platform pressure-side cooling circuit including: a platform pressure-side impact recess for receiving cooling flow from the platform pressure-side cooling circuit; a first platform pressure-side cooling channel disposed downstream of and in fluid communication with the platform pressure-side impact recess; a second platform pressure-side cooling channel branching off from the first platform pressure-side cooling channel and exiting the platform at the pressure-side mating surface; and a third platform pressure-side cooling channel, wherein... The third platform pressure-side cooling channel branches off from the first platform pressure-side cooling channel. The third platform pressure-side cooling channel includes a serpentine platform cooling path, comprising a first bend that turns towards the upstream side, thereby defining an upward third platform pressure-side cooling channel, and a second bend that turns towards the downstream side, thereby defining a downward third platform pressure-side cooling channel. The downward third platform pressure-side cooling channel exits the platform at the pressure-side mating surface. The platform suction-side cooling circuit includes: a platform suction-side impact recess for receiving the cooling flow from the platform suction-side cooling circuit; a first platform suction-side cooling channel, disposed downstream of and in fluid communication with the platform suction-side impact recess; a second platform suction-side cooling channel, branching off from the first platform suction-side cooling channel and exiting the platform at the downstream side; and a third platform suction-side cooling channel, branching off from the first platform suction-side cooling channel and exiting the platform at the downstream side. Attached Figure Description

[0005] To facilitate identification of any particular element or action, one or more of the most significant digits in the reference numerals refer to the figure number in which the element is first introduced.

[0006] Figure 1 It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a gas turbine engine taken along a plane containing the longitudinal axis or central axis.

[0007] Figure 2 yes Figure 1A perspective view of the turbine components in a gas turbine engine.

[0008] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A perspective view of a portion of the turbine components from the cold side of the internal platform.

[0009] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the external platform from the cold side of the external platform.

[0010] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the internal platform from the cold side of the internal platform. Detailed Implementation

[0011] Before explaining any embodiments of the invention in detail, it should be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the construction details and component arrangements set forth in this specification or illustrated in the following figures. The invention can have other embodiments and can be practiced or performed in various ways. Moreover, it should be understood that the wording and terminology used herein are for descriptive purposes and should not be considered limiting.

[0012] Various techniques relating to the systems and methods will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein similar reference numerals denote similar elements throughout the specification. The figures discussed below, as well as the various embodiments used in this patent document to describe the principles of this disclosure, are merely illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure in any way. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of this disclosure can be implemented in any suitably arranged apparatus. It should be understood that functions described as being performed by certain system elements can be implemented by multiple elements. Similarly, for example, an element can be configured to implement functions described as being performed by multiple elements. Numerous inventive teachings of this application will be described with reference to exemplary, non-limiting embodiments.

[0013] Furthermore, it should be understood that, unless explicitly limited in some instances, the words or phrases used herein should be interpreted broadly. For example, the terms “including,” “having,” and “including,” and their derivatives, mean including, but not limited to. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are also intended to include the plural forms, unless the context explicitly indicates otherwise. Additionally, as used herein, the term “and / or” refers to and includes any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and / or, unless the context explicitly indicates otherwise. The phrases “associated with” and “associated with,” and their derivatives, may mean including, contained within, interconnected with, contained in, included in, connected to or connected with, coupled to or coupled with, connectable to, cooperate with, interleaved, juxtaposed, near to, combined with or combined with, having, possessing the properties of, etc. Furthermore, while multiple embodiments or constructions may be described herein, any features, methods, steps, components, etc., described with respect to one embodiment are equally applicable to other embodiments without specific statements to the contrary.

[0014] Furthermore, while the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., may be used herein to refer to various elements, information, functions, or actions, these elements, information, functions, or actions should not be limited by these terms. Rather, these numerical adjectives are used to distinguish different elements, information, functions, or actions from one another. For example, a first element, information, function, or action may be referred to as a second element, information, function, or action, and similarly, a second element, information, function, or action may be referred to as a first element, information, function, or action, without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0015] Furthermore, in this specification, the term "axial" or "axially" refers to the direction along the longitudinal axis of the gas turbine engine. The term "radial" or "radially" refers to the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the gas turbine engine. The term "downstream" or "rearward" refers to the direction along the flow direction. The term "upstream" or "forward" refers to the direction opposite to the flow direction.

[0016] Additionally, the term "adjacent to" can mean: an element is relatively close to, but does not contact, another element; or that the element contacts another part, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, the phrase "based on" is intended to mean "at least partially based on," unless otherwise clearly stated. The terms "about" or "substantially" or similar terms are intended to cover variations in values ​​within normal industrial manufacturing tolerances for that dimension. If no industry standard is available, 20% variation will fall within the meaning of these terms, unless otherwise stated.

[0017] Figure 1 The illustration depicts an example of a gas turbine engine 100, comprising a compressor section 102, a combustion section 104, and a turbine section 106 arranged along a central axis 112. The compressor section 102 includes multiple compressor stages 114, each stage 114 comprising a set of stationary compressor guide vanes 116 or adjustable guide vanes and a set of rotating compressor blades 118. A rotor 134 supports the rotating compressor blades 118 to rotate about the central axis 112 during operation. In some configurations, a single, monolithic rotor 134 extends the length of the gas turbine engine 100 and is supported by bearings at either end for rotation. In other configurations, the rotor 134 is assembled from several individual spools attached to each other or may include multiple disc sections attached via one or more bolts.

[0018] Compressor section 102 is in fluid communication with inlet section 108 to allow gas turbine engine 100 to draw atmospheric air into compressor section 102. During operation of gas turbine engine 100, compressor section 102 draws in atmospheric air and compresses it for delivery to combustion section 104. The illustrated compressor section 102 is an example of a compressor section 102, where other arrangements and designs are possible.

[0019] In the illustrated configuration, combustion section 104 includes a plurality of individual burners 120, each burner operating to mix a fuel stream with compressed air from compressor section 102 and burn the air-fuel mixture to produce a stream of high-temperature, high-pressure combustion gases or exhaust gases 122. Of course, many other arrangements of combustion section 104 are possible.

[0020] Turbine section 106 includes multiple turbine stages 124, each turbine stage 124 including multiple stationary turbine guide vanes 126 and multiple rotating turbine blades 128. Turbine stages 124 are arranged to receive exhaust gas 122 from combustion section 104 at turbine inlet 130 and expand the gas to convert thermal and pressure energy into rotational or mechanical work. Turbine section 106 is connected to compressor section 102 to drive compressor section 102. For gas turbine engine 100 used for power generation or as a prime mover, turbine section 106 is also connected to a generator, pump, or other equipment to be driven. Similar to compressor section 102, other designs and arrangements of turbine section 106 are possible.

[0021] Exhaust section 110 is located downstream of turbine section 106 and is arranged to receive the expanded flow of exhaust gas 122 from the final turbine stage 124 in turbine section 106. Exhaust section 110 is arranged to efficiently guide the exhaust gas 122 away from turbine section 106 to ensure efficient operation of turbine section 106. Many variations and design differences are possible in exhaust section 110. Accordingly, the exhaust section 110 illustrated is merely one example of those variations.

[0022] The control system 132 is coupled to the gas turbine engine 100 and operates to monitor various operating parameters and control various operations of the gas turbine engine 100. In a preferred configuration, the control system 132 is typically microprocessor-based and includes memory devices and data storage devices for collecting, analyzing, and storing data. Additionally, the control system 132 provides output data to various devices (including monitors, printers, indicators, etc.) that allow users to interact with the control system 132 to provide inputs or adjustments. In an example of a power generation system, the user can input a power output setpoint, and the control system 132 can adjust various control inputs to achieve that power output efficiently.

[0023] The control system 132 can control various operating parameters, including but not limited to the position of the variable inlet guide vanes, fuel flow rate and pressure, engine speed, valve position, generator load, and generator excitation. Of course, other applications may have fewer or more controllable devices. The control system 132 also monitors various parameters to ensure proper operation of the gas turbine engine 100. Some of the monitored parameters may include inlet air temperature, compressor outlet temperature and pressure, combustor outlet temperature, fuel flow rate, generator power output, bearing temperature, and so on. Many of these measurements are displayed to the user and recorded for later review.

[0024] Figure 2 The illustration shows a perspective view of turbine component 200. Turbine component 200 is... Figure 1 The stationary turbine guide vane 126. Although Figure 2 The illustration shows a stationary turbine guide vane 126, but other configurations can be applied. Figure 1 Rotary turbine blades 128.

[0025] Turbine component 200 includes a platform. The platform includes an inner platform 202 and an outer platform 204. Turbine component 200 includes an airfoil 206 disposed between the inner platform 202 and the outer platform 204. Airfoil 206 has a pressure side 208 and a suction side 210, which are joined at a leading edge 212 on the upstream side and a trailing edge 214 on the downstream side relative to the flow direction 216. Pressure side 208 has a generally concave shape. Suction side 210 has a generally convex shape. Pressure side 208 and suction side 210 define an internal cooling space therebetween. The internal cooling space includes a front internal cooling passage 218, an intermediate internal cooling passage 220, and a rear internal cooling passage 222 relative to the flow direction 216; different arrangements including fewer or more passages are possible.

[0026] Each platform has a cold side and a hot side. The hot side is arranged such that it forms part of a hot gas path that comes into direct contact with the combustion products. The combustion products include the working flow 216. The cold side is opposite the hot side and is not exposed to direct contact with this hot gas. Figure 2 As shown, the inner platform 202 has an inner platform cold side 224 and an inner platform hot side 226. The outer platform 204 has an outer platform cold side 228 and an outer platform hot side 230. An airfoil 206 is attached to the inner platform hot side 226 and the outer platform hot side 230.

[0027] Each platform has an upstream side and a downstream side relative to the workflow 216. The internal platform 202 has an internal platform upstream side 232 and an internal platform downstream side 234. The external platform 204 has an external platform upstream side 240 and an external platform downstream side 242.

[0028] Each platform has a suction-side mating surface and a pressure-side mating surface, which are respectively positioned around... Figure 1 The rotor 134 is approximately adjacent to another turbine component 200 in the circumferential direction. The inner platform 202 has an inner platform suction side mating surface 238 and an inner platform pressure side mating surface 236. The outer platform 204 has an outer platform pressure side mating surface 244 and an outer platform suction side mating surface 246.

[0029] Each platform includes a platform impact plate covering the platform impact cavity. The platform impact plate includes a platform pressure-side impact plate covering the platform pressure-side impact cavity. The platform impact plate includes a platform suction-side impact plate covering the platform suction-side impact cavity. For example... Figure 2As shown, the external platform 204 includes an external platform pressure-side impact plate 248 disposed on the external platform cold side 228 and an external platform suction-side impact plate 250 disposed on the external platform cold side 228. The external platform pressure-side impact plate 248 is placed adjacent to the pressure side 208. The external platform suction-side impact plate 250 is placed adjacent to the suction side 210. The external platform 204 has an external platform pressure-side impact recess 402 covered by the external platform pressure-side impact plate 248 (shown in...). Figure 4 (in the middle) and the external platform suction side impact recess 404 covered by the external platform suction side impact plate 250 (shown in the middle) Figure 4 (Middle). The external platform pressure-side impact plate 248 and the external platform suction-side impact plate 250 define a plurality of impact cooling holes to provide passage for the flow of cooling air 252 into the external platform pressure-side impact recess 402 and the external platform suction-side impact recess 404.

[0030] Figure 3 The illustration shows a perspective view of a portion of the turbine component 200 from the cold side 224 of the inner platform. The inner platform 202 includes an inner platform plenum 302 defined at the cold side 224. The inner platform plenum 302 is covered by a plenum cover (not shown) to retain cooling air 252 within the inner platform plenum 302.

[0031] The internal platform 202 includes an internal platform pressure-side impact plate 304 and an internal platform suction-side impact plate 306 disposed within the internal platform air chamber 302. The internal platform pressure-side impact plate 304 is placed adjacent to the pressure side 208. The internal platform suction-side impact plate 306 is placed adjacent to the suction side 210. The internal platform 202 has an internal platform pressure-side impact recess 502 (shown in the diagram) covered by the internal platform pressure-side impact plate 304. Figure 5 (in the middle) and the internal platform suction side impact recess 504 covered by the internal platform suction side impact plate 306 (shown in the middle) Figure 5 (Middle). The internal platform pressure-side impact plate 304 and the internal platform suction-side impact plate 306 define a plurality of impact cooling holes to provide a pathway for cooling air 252 to enter the internal platform pressure-side impact recess 502 and the internal platform suction-side impact recess 504.

[0032] The internal platform 202 includes a front internal cooling passage cover 308 that covers the front internal cooling passage 218 at the cold side 224 of the internal platform. The front internal cooling passage cover 308 may be coupled to the internal platform pressure-side impact plate 304 to form a single component, or it may be a separate component from the internal platform pressure-side impact plate 304. The internal platform 202 includes a rear internal cooling passage cover 310 that covers the rear internal cooling passage 222 at the cold side 224 of the internal platform.

[0033] Each platform includes a platform cooling circuit formed within the platform, between the cold and hot sides. This platform cooling circuit includes a platform pressure-side cooling circuit located at the pressure side 208 of the airfoil 206 and a platform suction-side cooling circuit located at the suction side 210 of the airfoil 206. The platform pressure-side cooling circuit includes multiple platform pressure-side cooling channels. The platform suction-side cooling circuit includes multiple platform suction-side cooling channels. Each platform includes multiple downstream side cooling holes defined on its downstream side and multiple pressure-side mating surface cooling holes defined on its pressure-side mating surface. These multiple downstream side cooling holes and multiple pressure-side mating surface cooling holes provide pathways for the exhaust of cooling air 252 from the platform.

[0034] Figure 4 The figure shows a cross-sectional view of the external platform 204 from the cold side 228 of the external platform. The external platform 204 includes an external platform cooling loop formed together with the external platform 204 between the cold side 228 and the hot side 230 of the external platform.

[0035] The external platform cooling circuit includes an external platform pressure-side cooling circuit 436 disposed on the pressure side 208. The external platform pressure-side cooling circuit 436 includes an external platform pressure-side impact recess 402, a first external platform pressure-side cooling channel 406, a second external platform pressure-side cooling channel 408, and a third external platform pressure-side cooling channel 410. The external platform pressure-side impact recess 402 stores cooling air 252, which passes through impact cooling holes in the external platform pressure-side impact plate 248. The cooling air 252 in the external platform pressure-side impact recess 402 serves as a cooling flow to the external platform pressure-side cooling circuit 436. The external platform pressure-side cooling circuit 436 includes a plurality of external platform pressure-side mating surface cooling holes 412 defined at an external platform pressure-side mating surface 244 to discharge cooling air 252 from the external platform pressure-side cooling circuit 436 at the external platform pressure-side mating surface 244.

[0036] A first external platform pressure-side cooling channel 406 is disposed downstream of and in fluid communication with the external platform pressure-side impact recess 402 to receive cooling air 252 from the external platform pressure-side impact recess 402. The first external platform pressure-side cooling channel 406 extends along the pressure side 208 toward the trailing edge 214 within the external platform 204. The first external platform pressure-side cooling channel 406 is divided into a second external platform pressure-side cooling channel 408 and a third external platform pressure-side cooling channel 410 before reaching the trailing edge 214. This division may occur near the middle portion of the pressure side 208. The second external platform pressure-side cooling channel 408 continues to extend along the pressure side 208 within the external platform 204 and exits the external platform 204 at the external platform pressure-side mating surface 244 via an external platform pressure-side mating surface cooling hole 412. Figure 4 The diagram provides an external platform pressure-side mating surface cooling hole 412 to discharge cooling air 252 from the second external platform pressure-side cooling channel 408. In other configurations, more than one external platform pressure-side mating surface cooling hole 412 may be provided to discharge cooling air 252 from the second external platform pressure-side cooling channel 408.

[0037] The third external platform pressure-side cooling channel 410 extends within the external platform 204, forming a serpentine external platform cooling path. As used herein, the term "serpentine" refers to a flow path including at least one bend greater than 90 degrees. The third external platform pressure-side cooling channel 410 includes a first bend that turns toward the upstream side 240 of the external platform, thereby defining an upward third external platform pressure-side cooling channel 414. The third external platform pressure-side cooling channel 410 includes a second bend that turns toward the downstream side 242 of the external platform, thereby defining a downward third external platform pressure-side cooling channel 416. The upward third external platform pressure-side cooling channel 414 and the downward third external platform pressure-side cooling channel 416 are parallel to each other. The downward third external platform pressure-side cooling channel 416 is divided into two sub-downward third external platform pressure-side cooling channels 418 before reaching its trailing edge 214. The width of each of the two sub-downward third external platform pressure-side cooling channels 418 is narrower than the width of the upward third external platform pressure-side cooling channel 414. The two downward-facing third external platform pressure-side cooling channels 418 are parallel to each other. Each of the two downward-facing third external platform pressure-side cooling channels 418 exits the external platform 204 at the external platform pressure-side mating surface 244 through the external platform pressure-side mating surface cooling hole 412.

[0038] The external platform pressure-side cooling circuit 436 includes a plurality of external platform pressure-side rods 428 disposed between and connecting adjacent external platform pressure-side cooling channels. The plurality of external platform pressure-side rods 428 can connect an upward third external platform pressure-side cooling channel 414 to a downward third external platform pressure-side cooling channel 416, connect an upward third external platform pressure-side cooling channel 414 to one of a sub-downward third external platform pressure-side cooling channel 418 adjacent to the upward third external platform pressure-side cooling channel 414, or connect two sub-downward third external platform pressure-side cooling channels 418. Each of the plurality of external platform pressure-side rods 428 is hollow and can act as a bypass channel to bypass the cooling air 252 between the connected external platform pressure-side cooling channels. Multiple external platform pressure side rods 428 can also be set between the external platform pressure side impact recess 402 and the upward third external platform pressure side cooling channel 414 and connect the external platform pressure side impact recess 402 and the upward third external platform pressure side cooling channel 414 to bypass the cooling air 252 therebetween.

[0039] The external platform pressure-side cooling circuit 436 includes multiple external platform pressure-side turbulence ribs 430 disposed in the external platform pressure-side cooling channels. The external platform pressure-side turbulence ribs 430 may be disposed in the first external platform pressure-side cooling channel 406, the second external platform pressure-side cooling channel 408, the third external platform pressure-side cooling channel 410, etc. Figure 4 The diagram shows the external platform pressure-side turbulence rib 430. In other configurations, the external platform pressure-side turbulence rib 430 can be replaced or combined with other types of heat transfer enhancement features (such as spiked fins, impact pins, or recesses, etc.).

[0040] The external platform cooling circuit includes an external platform suction-side cooling circuit 438 arranged adjacent to the suction side 210. The external platform suction-side cooling circuit 438 includes an external platform suction-side impact recess 404 and a first external platform suction-side cooling channel 422. The external platform suction-side impact recess 404 stores cooling air 252 from the impact cooling holes of the external platform suction-side impact plate 250. The cooling air 252 in the external platform suction-side impact recess 404 serves as a cooling flow to the external platform suction-side cooling circuit 438. The external platform suction-side cooling circuit 438 includes a plurality of external platform downstream side cooling holes 420 defined at the external platform downstream side 242 to allow the cooling air 252 to be discharged from the external platform suction-side cooling circuit 438 at the external platform downstream side 242. The external platform suction side cooling circuit 438 also includes a plurality of external platform suction side mating surface cooling holes 440 defined at the external platform suction side mating surface 246 to allow cooling air 252 to be discharged from the external platform suction side cooling circuit 438 at the external platform suction side mating surface 246.

[0041] A first external platform suction-side cooling channel 422 is disposed downstream of and in fluid communication with the external platform suction-side impact recess 404 to receive cooling air 252 from the external platform suction-side impact recess 404. The first external platform suction-side cooling channel 422 extends along the suction side 210 toward the trailing edge 214 in the external platform 204. The first external platform suction-side cooling channel 422 is divided into a second external platform suction-side cooling channel 424 and a third external platform suction-side cooling channel 426 before reaching the trailing edge 214. This division may occur near the middle portion of the suction side 210. The second external platform suction-side cooling channel 424 and the third external platform suction-side cooling channel 426 are parallel to each other. The second external platform suction-side cooling channel 424 and the third external platform suction-side cooling channel 426 continue to extend along the suction side 210 in the external platform 204, and exit the external platform 204 at the downstream side 242 through multiple external platform downstream side cooling holes 420. Cooling air 252 can also be discharged from the external platform suction-side cooling circuit 438 through the external platform suction-side mating surface cooling holes 440.

[0042] The external platform suction-side cooling circuit 438 includes a plurality of external platform suction-side rods 432 disposed between and connecting the second external platform suction-side cooling channel 424 and the third external platform suction-side cooling channel 426. Each of the plurality of external platform suction-side rods 432 is hollow and can act as a bypass channel to bypass the cooling air 252 between the second external platform suction-side cooling channel 424 and the third external platform suction-side cooling channel 426.

[0043] The external platform suction side cooling circuit 438 includes a plurality of external platform suction side turbulence ribs 434 disposed in the second external platform suction side cooling channel 424 and the third external platform suction side cooling channel 426. Figure 4 The diagram shows the external platform suction-side turbulence rib 434. In other configurations, the external platform suction-side turbulence rib 434 can be replaced or combined with other types of heat transfer enhancement features (such as spiked fins, impact pins, or recesses, etc.).

[0044] Figure 5 The figure shows a cross-sectional view of the internal platform 202 from the cold side 224 of the internal platform. The internal platform 202 includes an internal platform cooling loop formed together with the internal platform 202 between the cold side 224 and the hot side 226 of the internal platform.

[0045] The internal platform cooling circuit includes an internal platform pressure-side cooling circuit 534 disposed on the suction side 210. The internal platform pressure-side cooling circuit 534 includes an internal platform pressure-side impact recess 502 and a first internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 508. The internal platform pressure-side impact recess 502 is disposed within the internal platform air chamber 302 and stores cooling air 252 passing through the impact cooling holes of the internal platform pressure-side impact plate 304. The cooling air 252 in the internal platform pressure-side impact recess 502 serves as a cooling flow to the internal platform pressure-side cooling circuit 534. The internal platform pressure-side cooling circuit 534 includes a plurality of internal platform pressure-side mating surface cooling holes 506 defined at the internal platform pressure-side mating surface 236 to allow the cooling air 252 to be discharged from the internal platform pressure-side cooling circuit 534 at the internal platform pressure-side mating surface 236.

[0046] A first internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 508 is disposed downstream of and in fluid communication with the internal platform pressure-side impact recess 502 to receive cooling air 252 from the internal platform pressure-side impact recess 502. The first internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 508 extends along the pressure side 208 toward the trailing edge 214 within the internal platform 202. The first internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 508 is divided into a second internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 510 and a third internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 512 before reaching the trailing edge 214. This division may occur near the middle portion of the pressure side 208. The second internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 510 continues to extend along the pressure side 208 within the internal platform 202 and exits the internal platform 202 at the internal platform pressure-side mating surface 236 via one of a plurality of internal platform pressure-side mating surface cooling holes 506. Figure 5The diagram provides an internal platform pressure-side mating surface cooling hole 506 to discharge cooling air 252 from the second internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 510. In other configurations, more than one internal platform pressure-side mating surface cooling hole 506 may be provided to discharge cooling air 252 from the second internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 510.

[0047] The third internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 512 extends within the internal platform 202, forming a serpentine internal platform cooling path. As used herein, the term "serpentine" refers to a flow path including at least one bend greater than 90 degrees. The third internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 512 includes a first bend that turns toward the upstream side 232 of the internal platform, thereby defining an upward third internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 514. The third internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 512 includes a second bend that turns toward the downstream side 234 of the internal platform, thereby defining a downward third internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 516. The width of the downward third internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 516 is narrower than the width of the upward third internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 514. The upward third internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 514 and the downward third internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 516 are parallel to each other. A downward-facing third internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 516 extends within the internal platform 202 and exits the internal platform 202 at the internal platform pressure-side mating surface 236 via some of the other internal platform pressure-side mating surface cooling holes 506 among the plurality of internal platform pressure-side mating surface cooling holes. Figure 5 The diagram shows two internal platform pressure-side mating surface cooling holes 506 to exhaust cooling air 252 from a downward-facing third internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 516. In other configurations, more than two internal platform pressure-side mating surface cooling holes 506 may be provided to exhaust cooling air 252 from a downward-facing third internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 516.

[0048] The internal platform pressure-side cooling circuit 534 includes a plurality of internal platform pressure-side rods 526 disposed between and connecting adjacent internal platform pressure-side cooling channels. The plurality of internal platform pressure-side rods 526 can connect a first internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 508 to an upward-facing third internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 514, or connect an upward-facing third internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 514 to a downward-facing third internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 516. Each of the internal platform pressure-side rods 526 is hollow and can act as a bypass channel to bypass the cooling air 252 between the connected internal platform pressure-side cooling channels. The plurality of internal platform pressure-side rods 526 can also connect an internal platform pressure-side impact cavity 502 to a first internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 508 to bypass the cooling air 252 therebetween.

[0049] The internal platform pressure-side cooling circuit 534 includes a plurality of internal platform pressure-side turbulence ribs 528 disposed in the internal platform pressure-side cooling channels. The internal platform pressure-side turbulence ribs 528 may be disposed in the first internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 508, the second internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 510, or the third internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 512. Figure 5 The diagram shows the internal platform pressure-side turbulence rib 528. In other configurations, the internal platform pressure-side turbulence rib 528 can be replaced or combined with other types of heat transfer enhancement features (such as spiked fins, impact pins, or recesses, etc.).

[0050] The internal platform cooling circuit includes an internal platform suction-side cooling circuit 536 arranged adjacent to the suction side 210. The internal platform suction-side cooling circuit 536 includes an internal platform suction-side impact recess 504 and a first internal platform suction-side cooling channel 520. The internal platform suction-side impact recess 504 stores cooling air 252 passing through impact cooling holes in the internal platform suction-side impact plate 306. The cooling air 252 in the internal platform suction-side impact recess 504 serves as a cooling flow to the internal platform suction-side cooling circuit 536. The internal platform suction-side cooling circuit 536 includes a plurality of internal platform downstream side cooling holes 518 defined at the internal platform downstream side 234 to allow the cooling air 252 to be discharged from the internal platform suction-side cooling circuit 536 at the internal platform downstream side 234. The internal platform suction side cooling circuit 536 also includes a plurality of internal platform suction side mating surface cooling holes 538 defined at the internal platform suction side mating surface 238 to allow cooling air 252 to be discharged from the internal platform suction side mating surface 238.

[0051] A first internal platform suction-side cooling channel 520 is disposed downstream of and in fluid communication with the internal platform suction-side impact recess 504 to receive cooling air 252 from the internal platform suction-side impact recess 504. The first internal platform suction-side cooling channel 520 extends along the suction side 210 towards the trailing edge 214 within the internal platform 202. The first internal platform suction-side cooling channel 520 is divided into a second internal platform suction-side cooling channel 522 and a third internal platform suction-side cooling channel 524 before reaching the trailing edge 214. This division may occur near the middle portion of the suction side 210. The second internal platform suction-side cooling channel 522 and the third internal platform suction-side cooling channel 524 are parallel to each other. The second internal platform suction-side cooling channel 522 and the third internal platform suction-side cooling channel 524 continue to extend along the suction side 210 within the internal platform 202, and exit the internal platform 202 at the downstream side 234 via multiple internal platform downstream side cooling holes 518. Cooling air 252 can also be discharged from the internal platform suction-side cooling circuit 536 via internal platform suction-side mating surface cooling holes 538.

[0052] The internal platform suction-side cooling circuit 536 includes a plurality of internal platform suction-side rods 530 disposed between and connecting the second internal platform suction-side cooling channel 522 and the third internal platform suction-side cooling channel 524. Each of the internal platform suction-side rods 530 is hollow and can act as a bypass channel to bypass the cooling air 252 between the second internal platform suction-side cooling channel 522 and the third internal platform suction-side cooling channel 524.

[0053] The internal platform suction-side cooling circuit 536 includes a plurality of internal platform suction-side turbulence ribs 532 disposed in the internal platform suction-side cooling channel. The internal platform suction-side turbulence ribs 532 may be disposed in the first internal platform suction-side cooling channel 520, the second internal platform suction-side cooling channel 522, or the third internal platform suction-side cooling channel 524. Figure 5 The diagram shows the internal platform suction-side turbulence rib 532. In other configurations, the internal platform suction-side turbulence rib 532 can be replaced or combined with other types of heat transfer enhancement features (such as spiked fins, impact pins, or recesses, etc.).

[0054] In the operation of the gas turbine engine 100, refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5Cooling air 252 impacts the pressure-side impact plate 248 and the suction-side impact plate 250 of the external platform to cool the external platform 204 from the cold side 228. The cooling air 252 then passes through multiple impact cooling holes and is stored in the pressure-side impact recess 402 and the suction-side impact recess 404 of the external platform, forming a cooling flow for the external platform pressure-side cooling circuit and the external platform suction-side cooling circuit. This cooling flow is separate from and different from the internal cooling flows of the front internal cooling passage 218, the middle internal cooling passage 220, and the rear internal cooling passage 222.

[0055] Cooling air 252 then enters the external platform pressure-side cooling circuit 436 and the external platform suction-side cooling circuit 438 to cool the external platform 204. The cooling air 252 then exits the external platform 204 from the external platform pressure-side cooling circuit 436 through multiple external platform pressure-side mating surface cooling holes 412 at the external platform pressure-side mating surface 244 to circumferentially cool the gap between the external platform pressure-side mating surface 244 and the external platform suction-side mating surface 246 of the adjacent turbine component 200. Cooling air 252 also exits the external platform 204 from the external platform suction-side cooling circuit 438 through multiple external platform downstream side cooling holes 420 at the external platform downstream side 242 to cool the gap between the external platform downstream side 242 and the external platform upstream side 240 of the adjacent downstream turbine component 200 in the direction relative to the working flow 216. The exit positions are positioned and separated to achieve the desired cooling at the external platform downstream side 242 and the external platform pressure-side mating surface 244. Cooling air 252 can also flow through orifices in the external platform 204 to the hot side 230 of the external platform for film cooling. Multiple external platform pressure-side turbulence ribs 430 and multiple external platform suction-side turbulence ribs 434 enhance the cooling effect of the external platform cooling circuit. Multiple external platform pressure-side rods 428 and multiple external platform suction-side rods 432 can bypass a portion of the cooling air 252 from the upstream external platform cooling channel to the connected downstream external platform cooling channel relative to the flow direction of the cooling air 252. This bypassed portion of the cooling air 252 has a lower temperature than the cooling air 252 flowing through the entire upstream external platform cooling channel, thus providing better cooling to the connected downstream external platform cooling channel.

[0056] Cooling air 252 arrives at the inner platform 202 from the outer platform 204 via the front inner cooling passage 218, the middle inner cooling passage 220, and the rear inner cooling passage 222. The cooling air 252 in the front inner cooling passage 218 is maintained within the passage as an internal cooling flow by the front inner cooling passage cover 308. The cooling air 252 in the rear inner cooling passage 222 is maintained within the passage as an internal cooling flow by the rear inner cooling passage cover 310. The cooling air 252 in the middle inner cooling passage 220 flows out and impacts the pressure-side impact plate 304 and the suction-side impact plate 306 of the inner platform to cool the inner platform 202 upstream of the cold side 224. The cooling air 252 then passes through impact cooling holes and is stored in the pressure-side impact plate 304 and the suction-side impact plate 306, which serve as a cooling flow for the inner platform cooling circuit. This cooling flow is separate from and different from the internal cooling flow.

[0057] Cooling air 252 then enters the internal platform pressure-side cooling circuit 534 and the internal platform suction-side cooling circuit 536 to cool the internal platform 202. The cooling air 252 then exits the internal platform 202 through multiple internal platform pressure-side mating surface cooling holes 506 from the second internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 510 and the downward-facing third internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 516 to circumferentially cool the gap between the internal platform pressure-side mating surface 236 and the internal platform suction-side mating surface 238 of the adjacent turbine component 200. The cooling air 252 can also exit the internal platform 202 through multiple internal platform downstream side cooling holes 518 from the second internal platform suction-side cooling channel 522 and the third internal platform suction-side cooling channel 524 to cool the gap between the internal platform downstream side 234 and the internal platform upstream side 232 of the adjacent downstream turbine component 200, relative to the direction of the flow 216. The exit positions are positioned and separated to achieve the desired cooling at the internal platform downstream side 234 and the internal platform pressure-side mating surface 236. Cooling air 252 can also flow through orifices in the internal platform 202 to the hot side 226 of the internal platform for film cooling of the internal platform 202. Multiple internal platform pressure-side turbulence ribs 528 and multiple internal platform suction-side turbulence ribs 532 enhance the cooling effect of the internal platform cooling circuit. Multiple internal platform pressure-side rods 526 and multiple internal platform suction-side rods 530 can bypass a portion of the cooling air 252 from the upstream internal platform cooling channel to the connected downstream internal platform cooling channel relative to the flow direction of the cooling air 252. This bypassed portion of the cooling air 252 has a lower temperature than the cooling air 252 flowing through the entire upstream internal platform cooling channel, thus providing better cooling to the connected downstream internal platform cooling channel.

[0058] The internal platform cooling circuit and the external platform cooling circuit use a serpentine platform cooling path to guide cooling air 252 through the internal platform 202 and the external platform 204. The serpentine platform cooling path directs the cooling air 252 to desired areas and exhausts it to desired locations on the internal platform 202 and the external platform 204. The serpentine platform cooling path balances heat transfer and heat absorption of the cooling air 252 throughout its entire length. The upward third internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 514 has a wider width than the downward third internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 516. The wider upward third internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 514 results in less heat transfer compared to the narrower downward third internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 516. Therefore, the upward third internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 514 prevents the cooling air 252 from becoming too hot before entering the downward third internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 516. The narrower downward third internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 516 has increased heat transfer to maintain cooling capacity along the internal platform pressure-side mating surface 236 to the very end of the downward third internal platform pressure-side cooling channel 516. Compared to a single cooling channel, the downward third external platform pressure-side cooling channel 416 is divided into two sub-downward third external platform pressure-side cooling channels 418 to enhance cooling and heat transfer. The upward third external platform pressure-side cooling channel 414 has a width wider than each of the two sub-downward third external platform pressure-side cooling channels 418. The wider upward third external platform pressure-side cooling channel 414 has less heat transfer than the narrower two sub-downward third external platform pressure-side cooling channels 418. Therefore, the upward third external platform pressure-side cooling channel 414 prevents the cooling air 252 from becoming too hot before entering the two sub-downward third external platform pressure-side cooling channels 418. The narrower two-sub-downward third external platform pressure side cooling channel 418 has increased heat transfer to maintain cooling capacity along the external platform pressure side mating surface 244 to the very end of the two-sub-downward third external platform pressure side cooling channel 418.

[0059] While exemplary embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, substitutions, variations, and modifications disclosed herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure in its broadest form.

[0060] Nothing described in this application should be construed as implying that any particular element, step, action, or function is an essential element that must be included within the scope of the claims. The scope of patentable subject matter is defined solely by the permitted claims. Furthermore, none of these claims are intended to implement a means-plus-function claim construction, unless the exact words "means, for" are followed by a participle.

Claims

1. A turbine component (200) comprising: An airfoil (206) comprising a pressure side (208) and a suction side (210); Platforms (204, 202) including a cold side (228, 224), a hot side (230, 226), a pressure-side mating surface (244, 236), a suction-side mating surface (246, 238), an upstream side (240, 232) relative to the direction of the workflow (216), and a downstream side (242, 234) relative to the direction of the workflow (216), wherein the airfoil (206) is attached to the hot side (230, 226) of the platforms (204, 202); A platform pressure-side cooling circuit (436, 534) is formed within the platform (204, 202) and positioned on the pressure side (208) of the airfoil (206). The platform pressure-side cooling circuit (436, 534) includes a plurality of pressure-side mating surface cooling holes (412, 506) defined at the pressure-side mating surfaces (244, 236); and A platform suction-side cooling circuit (438, 536) is formed within the platform (204, 202) and positioned on the suction side (210) of the airfoil (206). The platform suction-side cooling circuit (438, 536) includes a plurality of downstream side cooling holes (420, 518) defined on the downstream side (242, 234). The platform pressure-side cooling circuit (436, 534) includes a platform pressure-side impact cavity (402, 502) to receive the cooling flow (252) of the platform pressure-side cooling circuit (436, 534); The platform pressure-side cooling circuit (436, 534) includes a first platform pressure-side cooling channel (406, 508), which is located downstream of the platform pressure-side impact cavity (402, 502) and is in fluid communication with the platform pressure-side impact cavity (402, 502). The first platform pressure-side cooling channel (406, 508) is divided into a second platform pressure-side cooling channel (408, 510) and a third platform pressure-side cooling channel (410, 512), wherein the second platform pressure-side cooling channel (408, 510) is connected to the plurality of pressure-side mating surface cooling holes (412, 506) to discharge the cooling flow (252) at the pressure-side mating surface (244, 236).

2. The turbine component (200) according to claim 1, wherein the airfoil (206) includes an internal cooling channel forming an internal cooling flow, and wherein the cooling flow (252) of the platform pressure side cooling circuit (436, 534) is separate from and different from the internal cooling flow.

3. The turbine component (200) according to claim 1, wherein the third platform pressure-side cooling passages (410, 512) include a serpentine platform cooling path, the serpentine platform cooling path including a first bend that turns toward the upstream side (240, 232) to define an upward third platform pressure-side cooling passage (414, 514) and a second bend that turns toward the downstream side (242, 234) to define a downward third platform pressure-side cooling passage (416, 516).

4. The turbine component (200) according to claim 3, wherein the width of the downward third platform pressure-side cooling channel (516) is narrower than the width of the upward third platform pressure-side cooling channel (514).

5. The turbine component (200) according to claim 3, wherein the downward third platform pressure-side cooling channel (416) is divided into two sub-downward third platform pressure-side cooling channels (418), and wherein the two sub-downward third platform pressure-side cooling channels (418) are connected to the plurality of pressure-side mating surface cooling holes (412) to discharge the cooling flow (252) at the pressure-side mating surface (244).

6. The turbine component (200) according to claim 5, wherein the width of each of the two downward third platform pressure-side cooling channels (418) is narrower than the width of the upward third platform pressure-side cooling channel (414).

7. The turbine component (200) according to claim 5, wherein the platform pressure side cooling circuit (436, 534) includes a plurality of platform pressure side rods (428, 526) connecting adjacent platform pressure side cooling channels.

8. The turbine component (200) according to claim 1, wherein the platform suction side cooling circuit (438, 536) includes a platform suction side impact cavity (404, 504) to receive the cooling flow (252) of the platform suction side cooling circuit (438, 536).

9. The turbine component (200) according to claim 8, wherein the airfoil (206) includes an internal cooling channel forming an internal cooling flow, and wherein the cooling flow (252) of the platform suction-side cooling circuit (438, 536) is separate from and different from the internal cooling flow.

10. The turbine component (200) according to claim 8, wherein the platform suction side cooling circuit (438, 536) includes a first platform suction side cooling channel (422, 520), the first platform suction side cooling channel (422, 520) being disposed downstream of the platform suction side impact recess (404, 504) and in fluid communication with the platform suction side impact recess (404, 504).

11. The turbine component (200) according to claim 10, wherein the first platform suction-side cooling channel (422, 520) is divided into a second platform suction-side cooling channel (424, 522) and a third platform suction-side cooling channel (426, 524), and wherein the second platform suction-side cooling channel (424, 522) and the third platform suction-side cooling channel (426, 524) are connected to the plurality of downstream side cooling holes (420, 518) to discharge the cooling flow (252) at the downstream side (242, 234).

12. The turbine component (200) according to claim 11, wherein the platform suction side cooling circuit (438, 536) includes a plurality of platform suction side rods (432, 530) connecting adjacent platform suction side cooling channels.

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