Overlapping retainer for segmented linings of turbine components

Abstract

An overlapping retainer for a segmented liner of a turbine exhaust diffuser includes a stack of plates and a fastener. The main plate comprises a first face, an opposite second face, a first end and an opposite second end. A spacer including respective first and second faces engages the first face of the main plate. The top plate includes a respective first face engaging the second face of the main plate and a respective second face opposite the first face of the top plate. A fastener is disposed at each of the first end and the second end of the main plate. Each fastener extends through holes in the spacer, the main plate, and the top plate to maintain the spacer, the main plate, and the top plate in mutual engagement to secure a first section of the segmented liner to an adjacent second section of the segmented liner.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to turbine components, such as exhaust diffusers, and more particularly to retainers for overlapping liner segments thereof. BACKGROUND

[0002] Turbines, particularly gas turbine engines, generally include an inlet arrangement, a compressor section, a combustion section, a turbine section (i.e., an expansion turbine), and an exhaust system. Typically, the exhaust system will include an exhaust diffuser that directs exhaust gases expelled by the turbine section away from the turbine. The exhaust diffuser can include an outer shell and a segmented liner that, when assembled, forms an inner shell. For example, some segmented liners have segments that extend the majority or entirety of the length of the diffuser and join on edges that are parallel to the axis of rotation of the turbine. The joined edges can be held together in various ways. One retainer arrangement uses simple tabs that are attached to portions of the overlapping liner segments, but such simple tabs can experience breakage and wear due to uneven load distribution, in part due to thermal expansion of the components. SUMMARY

[0003] All aspects, examples, and features mentioned below can be combined in any technically possible manner.

[0004] In summary, the stacked plates and fasteners form an overlapping retainer to bias the overlapping liner segments together. The liner segments can define an inner surface of an exhaust diffuser of a turbine. A spacer rests on a lower tongue of one segment, and supports a main plate that engages an upper tongue of another segment that partially covers the lower tongue. A top plate rests on the main plate. Bolts extend through the lower tongue, the spacer, the main plate, the top plate, and (optionally) a stop washer on the top plate. The assembly is pulled together by a nut on the stop washer. Vertical plates welded to the lower tongue extend through slots in the plates between the bolts, holding the plates together and providing additional stiffness.

[0005] More particularly, one aspect of the present disclosure provides an overlap retainer for a segmented liner of a turbine exhaust diffuser, the overlap retainer comprising: a main plate having a first face and a second face opposite the first face, and wherein the main plate has a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a spacer having respective first and second faces opposite the first face of the spacer, and the spacer engages the first face of the main plate; a top plate having respective first and second faces opposite the first face of the top plate, wherein the first face of the top plate engages the second face of the main plate; and respective fasteners at each of the first and second ends of the main plate, each fastener extending through respective holes in the spacer, the main plate, and the top plate, wherein a respective end of each fastener is adjacent the first face of the spacer and the second face of the top plate, the respective fasteners maintaining the spacer, the main plate, and the top plate in engagement with one another to secure a first segment of the segmented liner to an adjacent second segment of the segmented liner.

[0006] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the preceding aspects, and further includes a stop washer adjacent the top plate at each fastener, the stop washer engaging the top plate and the respective end of the fastener adjacent the top plate, thereby preventing rotation of each respective fastener relative to the top plate.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the preceding aspects, and further includes a weld securing each stop washer to the respective fastener.

[0008] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the preceding aspects, and wherein each fastener is a bolt having a head at a first end and a nut at a second end opposite the first end, and the weld securing each stop washer to the respective fastener is between the stop washer and the respective nut.

[0009] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the preceding aspects, and further includes a weld securing the top plate to the main plate.

[0010] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the preceding aspects, and wherein the main plate is sized to engage an upper tongue of the first segment of the segmented liner, wherein the upper tongue is configured to cover a lower tongue of the adjacent second segment of the segmented liner, and an end of each fastener is configured to engage the lower tongue such that, when assembled, the main plate and the respective end of each fastener biases the upper tongue and the lower tongue toward one another.

[0011] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the preceding aspects, and wherein a thickness of the spacer is selected to match a thickness of the upper tongue.

[0012] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the preceding aspects, and wherein the spacer and the upper tongue define a gap therebetween.

[0013] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the preceding aspects, and further comprising a vertical plate disposed between the fasteners along a length of the main plate, the spacer, and the top plate, wherein the vertical plate extends through the main plate, the spacer, and the top plate via respective longitudinal slots formed therethrough.

[0014] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the preceding aspects, and further comprising a weld between the vertical plate and at least one of the top plate, the stop washer, or the spacer.

[0015] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a segmented liner for an exhaust diffuser of a turbomachine, the segmented liner comprising: a plurality of liner segments that collectively define an inner surface of the exhaust diffuser and including a first segment having an upper tongue located at a first radial distance from an axis of rotation of the turbomachine and a second segment having a lower tongue located at a second radial distance, the second radial distance being greater than the first radial distance such that the upper tongue covers the lower tongue. An overlap retainer couples the first liner segment to the second liner segment. The overlap retainer can include: a main plate having a first face and a second face opposite the first face, wherein the main plate has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and wherein the first face of the main plate engages the upper tongue; a spacer having a respective first face and a respective second face opposite the first face of the spacer, wherein the first face of the spacer engages the lower tongue and the second face of the spacer engages the first face of the main plate; a top plate having a respective first face and a respective second face opposite the first face of the top plate, wherein the first face of the top plate engages the second face of the main plate; and respective fasteners at each of the first end and the second end of the main plate, each fastener extending through respective holes in the spacer, the main plate, and the top plate, wherein a respective end of each fastener is adjacent one of the first face of the spacer or the second face of the top plate, the respective fasteners maintaining the spacer, the main plate, and the top plate in engagement with one another, wherein the spacer and the upper tongue define a gap therebetween at least in a circumferential direction.

[0016] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the preceding aspects, and further includes a stop washer located adjacent the top plate at each fastener, the stop washer engaging the top plate and a respective end of each fastener adjacent the top plate to prevent rotation of each respective fastener relative to the top plate.

[0017] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the preceding aspects, and wherein the fastener is a bolt having a head adjacent one of the lower tongue or the top plate, wherein the bolt has a nut adjacent the other of the lower tongue or the top plate, and the stop washer engages one of the head or the nut adjacent the top plate.

[0018] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the preceding aspects, and further includes a weld between the nut and the bolt.

[0019] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the preceding aspects, and wherein the respective ends of the main plate and each fastener bias the upper tongue and the lower tongue toward each other.

[0020] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the preceding aspects, and wherein a thickness of the spacer is selected to match a thickness of the upper tongue.

[0021] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the preceding aspects, and wherein the gap between the spacer and the upper tongue is at least partially defined by a profile of the upper tongue corresponding to the cutout in the upper tongue.

[0022] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the preceding aspects, and further includes a vertical plate disposed between the fasteners along a length of the spacer, the main plate, and the top plate, wherein the vertical plate extends through the spacer, the main plate, and the top plate via respective longitudinal slots formed therethrough.

[0023] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the preceding aspects, and further includes a weld between the vertical plate and the top plate.

[0024] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the preceding aspects, and further includes a weld between the vertical plate and at least one of the spacer or the lower tongue.

[0025] Two or more aspects described in this disclosure, including those described in this SUMMARY section, can be combined to form implementations not specifically described herein.

[0026] The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] These and other features, objects, and advantages of the disclosure will be more apparent and better understood from the following detailed description of various implementations, from the drawings, and from the appended claims.

[0028] Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a turbine, such as a gas turbine engine, in which an overlap retainer according to an implementation of the disclosure can be employed;

[0029] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the interior of an exhaust diffuser having segmented liners according to an implementation of the disclosure in which an overlap retainer of the disclosure is used to hold the liner segments together;

[0030] Figure 3 is an enlarged elevational view of an overlap retainer according to an implementation of the disclosure, such as Figure 2

[0031] Figure 4 illustrates an overlap retainer of according to an implementation of the disclosure in a cross-section in a circumferential-radial plane taken along line A-A of Figure 3 ; and Figure 3

[0032] Figure 5 illustrates an overlap retainer of according to an implementation of the disclosure in a cross-section in an axial-radial plane taken along line B-B of Figure 3 . Figure 3

[0033] It should be noted that the drawings of the disclosure are not necessarily drawn to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the disclosure, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the disclosure. In the drawings, like numbering represents similar elements between the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] ​​​First, in order to clearly describe the present disclosure, when referring to and describing relevant machine components within the illustrative application of segmented liners of turbine exhaust diffusers, it will be necessary to select certain terminology. In doing so, generic industry terminology will be used and employed, if possible, in a manner consistent with its accepted meaning. Unless otherwise indicated, such terminology should be given a broad interpretation consistent with the context of the present application and the scope of the appended claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a number of different or overlapping terms can be used to reference a particular component. An object that can be described herein as a single part can comprise multiple components and be referenced elsewhere as being composed of multiple components. Alternatively, an object that can be described herein as comprising multiple components can be referred to elsewhere as a single part.

[0035] Further, several descriptive terms can be used regularly herein, and it can prove helpful to define those terms at the outset of this section. Unless otherwise indicated, these terms, and their definitions, are as follows. As used herein, “downstream” and “upstream” are terms of reference to the direction of flow with respect to a fluid, such as the flow of working fluid through a turbine, or for example, the flow of exhaust through an exhaust diffuser. The term “downstream” corresponds to the direction of fluid flow, and the term “upstream” refers to the direction opposite to the flow. Without any further particularity, the terms “forward” and “aft” refer to directions, where “forward” or “forwardly” refers to the forward or compressor end of a turbine, and “aft” or “aftwardly” refers to the aft or turbine end of a turbine.

[0036] It will often be necessary to describe parts that are at different radial positions with respect to a central axis. The term “axial” refers to movement or positioning parallel to an axis (e.g., the axis of a turbine or its exhaust diffuser). The term “radial” refers to movement or positioning perpendicular to an axis (e.g., the axis of a turbine or exhaust diffuser). In the case of such, if a first component resides closer to an axis than a second component, it will be stated herein that the first component is “radially inward” or “inboard” of the second component. On the other hand, if a first component resides further from an axis than a second component, it can be stated herein that the first component is “radially outward” or “outboard” of the second component. Finally, the term “circumferential” refers to movement or positioning around an axis, such as around a circumferential inner surface of an exhaust diffuser. As noted above, it will be understood that such terms can be applied with respect to the axis of a turbine or the axis of an exhaust diffuser.

[0037] Further, several descriptive terms can be used regularly herein, as follows. The terms “first,” “second,” and “third” can be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to convey a position or importance of the individual components.

[0038] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. "Optional" or "optionally" mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, or that the subsequently described component or element can or can not be present, and that the description includes instances where the event occurs or the component is present and instances where the event does not occur or the component is not present.

[0039] Where an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "engaged to," "connected to," "coupled to," or "mounted to" another element or layer, it can be directly on, engaged to, connected to, coupled to, or mounted to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers can be present. In contrast, where an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The verb "coupled" and "connected," along with their derivatives, can be used in this document to mean one or more of the following: logically coupled, directly connected, or directly physically connected.

[0040] Embodiments of the present disclosure can be in the form of Figure 1embodied in the components of the illustrated turbine 10. The turbine 10 can include a compressor 12, a turbine 14 (i.e., an expansion turbine), and a shaft 16 supporting blades of the compressor 12 and the turbine 14. A combustor 18 can be in fluid communication with the compressor 12 and the turbine 14, and can receive fuel from a fuel supply 20. Inlet air 1 can be supplied to the compressor 12, which can supply compressed air 22 to the combustor 18 to form a mixture with fuel from the fuel supply 20, which combusts in the combustor 18 to form hot gases 24. The hot gases 24 can be directed to the turbine 14, which can extract work from the hot gases 24 to rotate the shaft 16 about a rotational axis R (i.e., relative to a circumferential direction of the shaft 16). The hot gases 24 can exit the turbine 14 as exhaust 2 and enter one or more components of an exhaust system 26. For example, the exhaust system 26 can include an exhaust diffuser 30, which can include a segmented liner 32. Some exhaust systems 26 can also include an aft diffuser 40, which can include another segmented liner 42. The aft diffuser 40 can be connected to the exhaust diffuser 30 by an expansion joint 50 or the like. The expanded gases 3 are directed from the exhaust system 26 to an exhaust stack (not shown) or a heat recovery steam generator (not shown) for a combined cycle power plant.

[0041] Turning now to Figure 2 , a set of axes X, Y, and Z are provided to illustrate the orientation of the illustrated parts: the X axis illustrates an axial direction, Y illustrates a circumferential direction, and Z illustrates a radial direction. The segmented liner 32 can include segments held together with various hardware, such as a left segment 34, a right segment 36, and a bottom segment 38. The segmented liner 32, when assembled, can resemble a truncated conical shell divided into multiple segments. Each segment can have at least a portion of the axial extent of the segmented liner 32. Each segment can also have an arcuate extent that is a portion of the circumferential extent of the segmented liner 32. Furthermore, some segments can themselves be segmented axially, circumferentially, or both, as with the bottom segment 38 in Figure 2 . Thus, if the segmented liner 32 is divided into twelve equal segments, each having the entire axial length of the segmented liner 32, each segment will have an arcuate extent of 30°, and will be narrower at one end than the other, such that the assembled segmented liner 32 is truncated conical, with a full 360° circumferential extent. As shown in Figure 1 , the end with the smaller diameter (i.e., the narrower end) is the upstream end closest to the turbine 14, while the end with the larger diameter (i.e., the wider end) is the downstream end closest to the outlet of the exhaust system 26.

[0042] According to embodiments disclosed herein, some segments can be held together with overlapping retainers 100. For example, with additional reference to Figure 3, a first segment (such as left segment 34) can include an upper tongue 35; and a second segment (such as bottom segment 38) can include a lower tongue 39. It should be noted that components of embodiments of the present disclosure are described as being “upper” or “lower” for convenience, but these components can also be referred to as being “radially inner” and “radially outer,” respectively, as these segments are distributed about a longitudinal axis of exhaust diffuser 30, which can be parallel or coaxial with a rotational axis R( Figure 1 ) of turbine 10. In some segmented liners, the second segment can be a bottom segment 38 that can include a lower tongue 39 along a circumferentially opposite edge of bottom segment 38. This can allow the edges of the segments to overlap in a manner similar to roof tiles, with the tongue of the lower edge of a segment being above the tongue of the upper edge of the next lower segment, such that, for example, liquids can be diverted to the lowest segment for disposal. In Figure 2 , an upper tongue (not shown) is formed on the lower edges of left segment 34 and right segment 36, while a lower tongue (not shown) is formed on the edges of bottom segment 38. Thus, segmented liner 32 can extend circumferentially about an inner surface of a component of turbine 10 (such as exhaust diffuser 30) at a first radial distance from a rotational axis R( Figure 1 ) of turbine 10. Segmented liner 32 can include a first segment (such as left segment 34) having an upper tongue 35 at the first radial distance and a second segment (such as bottom segment 38) having a lower tongue 39 at a second radial distance that is greater than the first radial distance, such that the upper tongue 35 covers the lower tongue 39.

[0043] Overlap retainer 100 can employ a plurality of plates in a sandwich-like assembly that can improve load distribution over the welds included in segmented liner 32 and overlap retainer 100. Fasteners (such as bolts) can be used to close possible gaps that can be left by simply welding one plate to the overlapping segment edges. The use of such fasteners can provide assistance during the final welding and can eliminate the need for special tools. Furthermore, such fasteners can increase the stiffness of the system, thereby reducing the vibration of the plates during operation. A stop washer can be included to inhibit the rotation of the nut on the fastener while allowing the components to move due to thermal expansion.

[0044] Figure 3 An enlarged view of overlap retainer 100 for a segmented liner of a turbine component is shown in FIG. 1. With additional reference to Figure 4 , overlap retainer 100 can include a main plate 102 having a first face 122 (such as a lower surface) and a second face 124 (such as an upper surface) such that second face 124 is opposite first face 122 with a thickness of main plate 102 therebetween. As Figure 5As shown, the main plate 102 can also have a first end 126 and a second end 128 opposite the first end 126, with a length of the main plate 102 between the first and second ends.

[0045] The overlap retainer 100 can also include a spacer 104 having a respective first face 132 and a respective second face 134 opposite the first face 132 of the spacer 104, with a thickness of the spacer 104 between the second face and the first face. As with the main plate 102, as shown, the first face 132 can be a lower surface of the spacer 104, and the second face 134 can be an upper surface of the spacer 104. In embodiments, the second face 134 of the spacer 104 engages the first face 122 of the main plate 102. As Figure 5 As shown, the spacer 104 can also have a respective first end 136 and a respective second end 138 opposite the first end 136, with a length of the spacer 104 between the first and second ends.

[0046] Further, the overlap retainer 100 can include a top plate 106 having a respective first face 142 (such as a lower surface thereof) and a respective second face 144 (such as an upper surface thereof). Thus, the second face 144 is opposite the first face 142 of the top plate 106, with a thickness of the top plate 106 therebetween. As Figure 5 As shown, as with the main plate 102 and the spacer 104, the top plate 106 can have a respective first end 146 and a respective second end 148 opposite the first end 146, with a length of the top plate 106 between the first and second ends. In embodiments, the first face 142 of the top plate 106 can engage the second face 124 of the main plate 102.

[0047] As Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the overlap retainer 100 can include a respective fastener 112 at each of the first end 126 and the second end 128 of the main plate 102. For example, each fastener 112 can be a bolt having a respective head 113 at one end and a respective nut 114 at an opposite end. Each fastener 112 can extend through a respective hole in the main plate 102, the spacer 104, and the top plate 106, with the respective end of each fastener 112 adjacent the first face 132 of the spacer 104 and the second face 144 of the top plate 106. In this manner, the fasteners 112 can maintain the top plate 106, the main plate 102, and the spacer 104 in mutual engagement. Additionally, as Figure 4As particularly seen, the first face 122 of the main plate 102 is configured to and can engage the upper tongue 35 of the first section 34, and the first face 132 of the spacer 104 is configured to and can engage the lower tongue 39 of the second section 38. When the upper tongue 35 and the lower tongue 39 are engaged, the fasteners 112 cooperate with the top plate 106, the main plate 102, and the spacer 104 to press the upper tongue 35 and the lower tongue 39 together.

[0048] As noted above, the fasteners 112 can be bolts having a head 113 adjacent one of the lower tongue 39 or the top plate 102, in which case the fasteners 112 have a nut 114 adjacent the other of the lower tongue 39 or the top plate 106. The overlap retainer 100 can also include an anti-rotation device adjacent the top plate 106, such as a stop washer 110 that can engage the head 113 and / or the nut 114 and the top plate 106. Thus, the stop washer 110 can engage the one of the head 113 or the nut 114 adjacent the top plate 106 and the top plate 106, thereby preventing the head 113 and / or the nut 114 from rotating relative to the top plate 106. In the example shown, the stop washer 110 engages the nuts 114 of the first and second bolts 112. Further, a weld 120 can be included between each nut 114 and the respective stop washer 110, and / or between one or more nuts 114 and one or more respective bolts 112. The weld 120 can be used to secure the head 113 of the bolt to the lower tongue 39 Figure 5 ), to secure the nut 114 to the stop washer 110 Figure 4 and Figure 5 ), and to secure the nut 114 to the bolt 112 (not shown).

[0049] To enable operation of the overlap retainer 100, the main plate 102 is sized to engage the upper tongue 35 of the first section 34 of the segmented liner 32, as described above. The upper tongue 35 overlies the lower tongue 39 of the second section 38 of the segmented liner 32, and the end of each fastener 112 is configured to engage the lower tongue 39. For example, where the fasteners 112 are bolts, the head 113 can engage the lower tongue 39, although some embodiments can instead have the nut 114 engage the lower tongue 39. The main plate 102 and the respective end of each fastener 112 can thereby bias the upper tongue 35 and the lower tongue 39 toward one another. In particular embodiments, as Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the thickness of the spacer 104 is selected to match the thickness of the upper tongue 35, such that the inner surfaces of the first and second sections (such as the left section 34 and the bottom section 38) can be flush, and this increases the engagement between the first surface 122 of the main board 102 and the upper tongue 35. Furthermore, the width of the spacer can be selected to provide a gap 118 between the spacer 104 and the upper tongue 35. Alternatively or additionally, the gap 118 can be formed by cutouts 116 in the spacer 104 and the upper tongue 35. Figure 3 ( ) Limitation. In any case, the gap 118 may be limited between the upper tongue 35 and the spacer 104 to allow for thermal expansion of the components.

[0050] like Figure 5 As specifically seen, the overlap retainer 100 may include a vertical plate 108 disposed between fasteners 112 along the length of the main plate 102. The vertical plate 108 may extend from the lower tongue 39 and may extend through the main plate 102, spacer 104, and top plate 106 via corresponding longitudinal slots 130, 140, 150 formed therethrough. In embodiments, such as Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, one or more welded portions 120 may be formed between the vertical plate 108 and the spacer 104, the top plate 106, the stop washer 110, and / or the lower tongue 39. Thus, the vertical plate 108 can help hold the top plate 106, the main plate 102, the spacer 104, the upper tongue 35, and the lower tongue 39 together.

[0051] The embodiments of this disclosure provide various technical and commercial advantages, examples of which are discussed herein. A technical effect of the overlapping retainer 100 according to embodiments of this disclosure is the connection of sections of a liner for turbine components (such as exhaust diffusers). The liner sections thus connected can transfer fluid to a bottom section, which may include a drain pipe, etc., to remove fluid from the liner and the components on which the liner is mounted. Cutouts in the tongue of the section can provide a gap between the tongue and the parts of the overlapping retainer to allow for thermal expansion of the liner sections, the overlapping retainer components, and / or other components.

[0052] As used throughout the specification and claims, approximate language can be used to modify any quantitative representation that can allow for variation, without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by one or more terms such as “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially” is not limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximate language can correspond to the precision of an instrument used to measure the value. Herein and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations can be combined and / or interchanged; such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise. “About” or “approximate” applied to a specified value of a range means + / - 10% of the stated value, unless otherwise dependent on the precision of the instrument measuring the value.

[0053] All devices or steps of the following claims, or corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents thereof, are intended to include any structure, material, or acts for performing the functions described in conjunction with other claimed elements. The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and the practical application, and to enable others skilled in the art to understand various embodiments of the present disclosure with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated, without purporting to limit the scope of the present disclosure to any one specific embodiment described.

Claims

1. An overlapping retainer for a segmented liner in a turbine exhaust diffuser, the overlapping retainer comprising: A motherboard having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, and wherein the motherboard has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end; A spacer having a corresponding first surface and a corresponding second surface opposite to the first surface of the spacer, wherein the spacer engages the first surface of the motherboard; A top plate having a corresponding first surface and a corresponding second surface opposite to the first surface of the top plate, wherein the first surface of the top plate engages with the second surface of the main plate; and Fasteners are located at each of the first and second ends of the main board, each fastener extending through a corresponding hole in the spacer, the main board, and the top plate, the corresponding fasteners holding the spacer, the main board, and the top plate engaged to secure a first segment of the segmented bushing to an adjacent second segment of the segmented bushing.

2. The overlap retainer of claim 1, further comprising a stop washer located adjacent to the top plate at each fastener, the stop washer engaging the top plate and the respective ends of the fasteners adjacent to the top plate, thereby preventing each respective fastener from rotating relative to the top plate.

3. The overlapping retainer according to claim 2, the overlapping retainer further comprising a weld portion that secures each stop washer to the corresponding fastener.

4. The overlapping retainer of claim 3, wherein each fastener is a bolt having a head at a first end and a nut at a second end opposite the first end of the bolt, and the weld portion securing each locking washer to the corresponding fastener is located between the locking washer and the corresponding nut.

5. The overlapping retainer according to claim 1, the overlapping retainer further comprising a welding portion that fixes the top plate to the main plate.

6. The overlap retainer of claim 1, wherein the main board is sized to engage the upper tongue of the first segment of the segmented liner, wherein the upper tongue is configured to cover the lower tongue of the adjacent second segment of the segmented liner, and the end of each fastener is configured to engage the lower tongue such that, when assembled, the corresponding end of the main board and each fastener biases the upper tongue and the lower tongue toward each other.

7. The overlap retainer of claim 6, wherein the thickness of the spacer is selected to match the thickness of the upper tongue.

8. The overlap retainer of claim 6, wherein the spacer and the upper tongue define a gap therebetween.

9. The overlapping retainer of claim 1, further comprising a vertical plate disposed between the fasteners along the length of the main plate, the spacer and the top plate, wherein the vertical plate extends through the main plate, the spacer and the top plate via a corresponding longitudinal slot formed through the main plate, the spacer and the top plate.

10. The overlapping retainer according to claim 9, the overlapping retainer further comprising a welded portion located between the vertical plate and at least one of the top plate, the stop washer, or the spacer.

11. A segmented liner for an exhaust diffuser of a turbine, the segmented liner comprising: Multiple liner sections that collectively define the inner surface of the exhaust diffuser, and include a first section and a second section, the first section having an upper tongue located at a first radial distance from the axis of rotation of the turbine, and the second section having a lower tongue located at a second radial distance greater than the first radial distance such that the upper tongue covers the lower tongue; and An overlap retainer, which connects the first segment to the second segment, the overlap retainer comprising: A motherboard having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, wherein the motherboard has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. And wherein the first surface of the motherboard engages with the upper tongue; A spacer having a corresponding first surface and a corresponding second surface opposite to the first surface of the spacer, wherein the first surface of the spacer engages the lower tongue and the second surface of the spacer engages the first surface of the motherboard. A top plate having a corresponding first surface and a corresponding second surface opposite to the first surface of the top plate, wherein the first surface of the top plate engages with the second surface of the main plate; and Fasteners are located at each of the first and second ends of the motherboard, each fastener extending through a corresponding hole in the spacer, the motherboard, and the top plate, the corresponding fasteners holding the spacer, the motherboard, and the top plate engaged with each other. The spacer and the upper tongue define a gap therebetween at least in the circumferential direction.

12. The segmented bushing of claim 11, wherein the overlapping retainer further comprises a stop washer located adjacent to the top plate at each fastener, the stop washer engaging the top plate and the corresponding end of each fastener adjacent to the top plate to prevent rotation of each corresponding fastener relative to the top plate.

13. The segmented bushing of claim 12, wherein the fastener is a bolt having a head adjacent to one of the lower tongue or the top plate, wherein the bolt has a nut adjacent to the other of the lower tongue or the top plate, and the locking washer engages the head or the nut adjacent to the top plate.

14. The segmented bushing according to claim 13, wherein the segmented bushing further comprises a welded portion located between the nut and the retaining washer.

15. The segmented bushing of claim 12, wherein the corresponding ends of the main plate and each fastener offset the upper tongue and the lower tongue toward each other.

16. The segmented liner of claim 11, wherein the thickness of the spacer is selected to match the thickness of the upper tongue.

17. The segmented liner of claim 11, wherein the gap between the spacer and the upper tongue is at least partially defined by the contour of the upper tongue corresponding to a cut in the upper tongue.

18. The segmented liner of claim 11, further comprising a vertical plate disposed between the fasteners along the length of the main plate, the spacer and the top plate, wherein the vertical plate extends through the spacer, the main plate and the top plate via a corresponding longitudinal slot formed through the spacer, the main plate and the top plate.

19. The segmented liner according to claim 18, wherein the segmented liner further comprises a welded portion located between the vertical plate and the top plate.

20. The segmented liner according to claim 16, further comprising a welded portion located between the vertical plate and at least one of the spacer or the lower tongue.

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