Overlap holder for segmented liner of turbomachine component

Abstract

To provide an overlap holder for a segmented liner of a turbomachine component.SOLUTION: An overlap holder for a segmented liner of an exhaust diffuser of a turbomachine includes stacked plates and a fastener. The main plate includes a first face, an opposing second face, a first end, and an opposing second end. A spacer including first and second surfaces engages the first surface of the primary plate. A top plate includes a first surface engaging the second surface of the main plate and a second surface opposite the first surface of the top plate. A fastener is disposed at each of the first and second ends of the primary plate. Each fastener extends through holes in the spacer, the main plate, and the top plate to hold the spacer, the main plate, and the top plate in engagement with one another and to secure a first segment of the segmented liner to an adjacent second segment of the segmented liner.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates generally to turbomachinery components such as exhaust gas diffusers, and more particularly to holders for overlapping liner segments thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] Turbomachines, 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. The exhaust system typically includes an exhaust gas diffuser that directs exhaust gases discharged by the turbine section away from the turbomachine. The exhaust gas diffuser may include an outer casing and segmented liners that, when assembled, form the inner casing. For example, some segmented liners have segments that extend most or all of the length of the diffuser and are joined at edges parallel to the turbine's rotational axis. The joined edges can be held together in a variety of ways. One holder configuration uses simple tabs attached to overlapping liner segment portions, but such simple tabs can crack and wear due to uneven load distribution, resulting in part from thermal expansion of the components. Summary of the Invention

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

[0004] In summary, the stacked plates and fasteners form an overlap holder for biasing the overlapping liner segments together. The liner segments may define the inner surface of a turbomachine exhaust diffuser. A spacer rests on the lower tongue of one segment and supports a main plate that engages with the upper tongue of another segment, partially overlapping the lower tongue. A top plate rests on the main plate. Bolts extend through the lower tongue, spacer, main plate, top plate, and (optionally) tab washers on the top plate. The assembly is drawn together by nuts on the tab washers. A vertical plate welded to the lower tongue extends through slots in the plates between the bolts to hold the plates together and provide additional rigidity.

[0005] More specifically, one aspect of the present disclosure relates to an overlap holder for a segmented liner of an exhaust diffuser of a turbomachine, the overlap holder comprising: a main plate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the main plate having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; spacers having respective first surfaces and respective second surfaces opposite the first surfaces of the spacers, the spacers engaging the first surface of the main plate; and top plates having respective first surfaces and respective second surfaces opposite the first surfaces of the top plate, the top plate and a top plate, the first surface of which engages with the second surface of the main plate; and respective fasteners at each of the first and second ends of the main plate, each fastener extending through a respective hole in the spacer, the main plate, and the top plate, each end of each fastener adjacent to the first surface of the spacer and the second surface of the top plate, each fastener engaging and holding the spacer, the main plate, and the top plate together to secure a first segment of a segmented liner to an adjacent second segment of the segmented liner.

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

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the above aspects, further including a weld securing each tab washer to a respective fastener.

[0008] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the preceding aspects, 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 tab washer to the respective fastener is between the tab washer and the respective nut.

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

[0010] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the aforementioned aspects, wherein the main plate is sized to engage with an upper tongue of a first segment of the segmented liner, and the upper tongue is configured to overlap a lower tongue of an adjacent second segment of the segmented liner, and when assembled, an end of each fastener is configured to engage with the lower tongue such that the main plate and the respective end of each fastener urge the upper and lower tongues toward each other.

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

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

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

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

[0015] One aspect of the 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 include a first segment having an upper tongue at a first radial distance from an axis of rotation of the turbomachine, and a second segment having a lower tongue at a second radial distance greater than the first radial distance such that the upper tongue overlaps the lower tongue. An overlap holder couples the first liner segment to the second liner segment. The overlap holder includes a main plate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the main plate having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first surface of the main plate engaging the upper tongue, spacers having respective first surfaces and respective second surfaces opposite the first surfaces of the spacers, the first surfaces of the spacers engaging the lower tongue, and the second surfaces of the spacers engaging the first surfaces of the main plate, and top plates having respective first surfaces and respective second surfaces opposite the first surfaces of the top plates. a top plate having a first surface and a second surface of the main plate, wherein a first surface of the top plate engages a second surface of the main plate; and a respective fastener at each of a first end and a second end of the main plate, each fastener extending through a respective hole in the spacer, the main plate, and the top plate, a respective end of each fastener adjacent one of the first surface of the spacer or the second surface of the top plate, each fastener holding the spacer, the main plate, and the top plate in engagement with one another, the spacer and the upper tongue defining a gap therebetween in at least a circumferential direction.

[0016] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the above aspects, further comprising a tab washer adjacent the top plate at each fastener, the tab washer engaging the top plate and a respective end of each fastener adjacent the top plate, thereby preventing rotation of each respective fastener relative to the top plate; the tab washer engaging the top plate and a respective end of each fastener adjacent the top plate, thereby preventing rotation of each respective fastener relative to the top plate.

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

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

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

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

[0021] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the above aspects, wherein the gap between the spacer and the upper tongue is defined at least in part by a contour of the upper tongue that corresponds to the notch in the upper tongue.

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

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

[0024] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the above aspects, further comprising 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, may be combined to form an implementation 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 become apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

[0027] These and other features of the present disclosure will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating various embodiments of the disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a turbomachine, such as a gas turbine engine, that may utilize an overlap holder according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of the interior of an exhaust gas diffuser having a segmented liner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which an overlap holder of the present disclosure is used to hold the liner segments together. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevational view of an overlap holder, such as that shown in FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the overlap holder of FIG. 3 in a circumferential radial plane along line AA of FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the overlap holder of FIG. 3 in an axially radial plane along line BB of FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] It should be noted that the drawings of the present disclosure are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the present disclosure and therefore should not be considered limiting of the scope of the present disclosure. In the drawings, like reference numerals represent like elements between the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] As an initial matter, in order to clearly explain the present disclosure, it is necessary to select specific terminology when referring to and describing relevant machine components within the exemplary application of segmented liners to turbomachine exhaust gas diffusers. In doing so, common industry terminology is used where possible and consistent with its accepted meaning. Unless otherwise noted, such terminology should be given a broad interpretation consistent with the context of this application and the appended claims. Those skilled in the art will understand that in many cases, a particular component may be referred to using several different or overlapping terms. What may be described herein as being a single part may include and be referred to in other contexts as consisting of multiple components. Alternatively, what may be described herein as including multiple components may be referred to elsewhere as a single part.

[0031] Additionally, several descriptive terms may be used repeatedly throughout this specification, and it will prove useful to define these terms at the beginning of this section. These terms and their definitions, unless otherwise specified, are as follows: "Downstream" and "upstream," as used herein, are terms that indicate a direction relative to the flow of a fluid, such as a working fluid, through a turbomachine, 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 a direction opposite to the flow. The terms "forward" and "aft," unless otherwise specified, refer to directions, with "forward" or "fore" referring to the front or compressor end of the turbomachine and "aft" or "aft" referring to the rear or turbine end of the turbomachine.

[0032] It is often necessary to describe components at various radial positions relative to a central axis. The term “axial” refers to movement or position parallel to an axis, e.g., the axis of a turbomachine or exhaust diffuser. The term “radial” refers to movement or position perpendicular to an axis, e.g., the axis of a turbomachine or exhaust diffuser. In such cases, if a first component is located closer to the axis than a second component, the first component may be referred to as being “radially inward” or “inward” of the second component. Conversely, if a first component is located farther from the axis than the second component, the first component may be referred to as being “radially outward” or “outward” of the second component. Finally, the term “circumferential” refers to movement or position around an axis, e.g., the circumferential inner surface of an exhaust diffuser. As noted above, it will be understood that such terms may be applied with respect to the axis of a turbomachine or the axis of an exhaust diffuser.

[0033] In addition, as described below, some descriptive terms may be used repeatedly in this specification: the terms "first," "second," and "third" may be used interchangeably to distinguish any component from another component, and are not intended to denote the location or importance of the individual components.

[0034] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to limit the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprise" and / or "comprising," as used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or sets thereof. "Optional" or "optionally" means that the event or circumstance described following the term may or may not occur, or the component or element described following the term may or may not be present, and that the description includes instances in which the event occurs or the component is present, as well as instances in which the event does not occur or the component is absent.

[0035] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "engaged," "connected," "coupled," or "mounted" to another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, coupled, or mounted to the other element or layer, or there may be intervening elements or layers. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly engaged," "directly connected," or "directly coupled" to another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers. Other words used to describe relationships between elements should be interpreted similarly (e.g., "between" and "directly between," "adjacent" and "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 forms of "couple" and "mount" may be used interchangeably herein.

[0036] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in components of a turbomachine 10 shown in FIG. 1 . The turbomachine 10 may include a compressor 12, a turbine 14 (i.e., an expansion turbine), and a shaft 16 that supports blades of the compressor 12 and the turbine 14. A combustor 18 may be in fluid communication with the compressor 12 and the turbine 14 and may receive fuel from a fuel supply 20. Inlet air 1 may be provided to the compressor 12, which may provide compressed air 22 to the combustor 18 to form a mixture with fuel from the fuel supply 20 that is combusted in the combustor 18 to form hot gases 24. The hot gases 24 may be channeled to the turbine 14, which may extract work from the hot gases 24 to rotate the shaft 16 about an axis of rotation R (i.e., circumferentially relative to the shaft 16). The hot gases 24 exit the turbine 14 as exhaust gases 2 and may enter one or more components of an exhaust system 26. For example, the exhaust system 26 may include an exhaust gas diffuser 30, which may include a segmented liner 32. Some exhaust systems 26 may also include an aft diffuser 40, which may include another segmented liner 42. The aft diffuser 40 may be connected to the exhaust gas diffuser 30, such as by an expansion joint 50. The expanded gases 3 are directed from the exhaust system 26 to an exhaust stack (not shown) or to a heat recovery steam generator (not shown), the latter for use in a combined cycle power plant.

[0037] Referring now to FIG. 2 , a set of X, Y, and Z axes are provided to indicate the orientation of the illustrated parts, with the X axis indicating the axial direction, the Y axis indicating the circumferential direction, and the Z axis indicating the radial direction. The segmented liner 32 may include segments, such as a left segment 34, a right segment 36, and a bottom segment 38, held together with various hardware. When assembled, the segmented liner 32 may resemble a frusto-conical shell divided into segments. Each segment may have at least a portion of the axial extent of the segmented liner 32. Each segment may also have an arcuate extent that is a portion of the circumferential extent of the segmented liner 32. Furthermore, some segments may themselves be segmented axially, circumferentially, or both, similar to the bottom segment 38 in FIG. 2 . Thus, if the segmented liner 32 were divided into 12 equal segments, each spanning the entire axial length of the segmented liner 32, each segment would have an arcuate extent of 30° with one end narrower than the other, resulting in the assembled segmented liner 32 having a frusto-conical shape with a full circumferential extent of 360°. As shown in FIG. 1 , the end with the smaller diameter (i.e., narrow end) is the upstream end closest to the turbine 14, and the end with the larger diameter (i.e., wide end) is the downstream end closest to the outlet of the exhaust system 26.

[0038] According to embodiments disclosed herein, several segments may be held together with the overlap holder 100. For example, and with further reference to FIG. 3 , a first segment, such as the left segment 34, may include an upper tongue 35, and a second segment, such as the bottom segment 38, may include a lower tongue 39. Note that for convenience, components of the disclosed embodiments are described as being “upper” or “lower,” but these may also be referred to as “radially inner” and “radially outer,” respectively, as the segments are distributed about the longitudinal axis of the exhaust diffuser 30, which may be parallel to or coaxial with the axis of rotation R ( FIG. 1 ). In some segmented liners, the second segment may be the bottom segment 38, which may include lower tongues 39 along circumferentially opposing edges of the bottom segment 38. This allows the edges of the segments to overlap similarly to roof sheets, with the tongue of the lower edge of one segment overlying the tongue of the higher edge of the next lower segment, thereby, for example, allowing liquid to be diverted to the lowest segment for handling. In FIG. 2 , upper tongues (not shown) are formed on the lower edges of the left and right segments 34, 36, while a lower tongue (not shown) is formed on the edge of the bottom segment 38. Thus, the segmented liner 32 may extend circumferentially around the inner surface of a component of the turbomachine 10, such as the exhaust gas diffuser 30, at a first radial distance from the axis of rotation R ( FIG. 1 ) of the turbomachine 10. The segmented liner 32 may include a first segment, such as the left segment 34, having an upper tongue 35 at a first radial distance, and a second segment, such as the bottom segment 38, having a lower tongue 39 at a second radial distance greater than the first radial distance, such that the upper tongue 35 overlaps the lower tongue 39.

[0039] The overlap holder 100 can utilize multiple plates in a sandwich-like assembly, which can improve load distribution to the segmented liner 32 and the welds included in the overlap holder 100. Fasteners such as bolts can be used to close any gaps that may remain by simply welding one plate to the overlapping segment edges. The use of such fasteners can aid during final welding and eliminate the need for special tooling. Additionally, such fasteners can add rigidity to the system and reduce vibration of the plates during operation. Tab washers can be included to prevent rotation of the nuts on the fasteners while allowing movement of components due to thermal expansion.

[0040] An enlarged view of an overlap holder 100 for a segmented liner of a turbomachinery component is shown in Figure 3. With further reference to Figure 4, the overlap holder 100 may include a main plate 102 having a first surface 122, such as a lower surface, and a second surface 124, such as an upper surface, whereby the second surface 124 faces the first surface 122 with the thickness of the main plate 102 therebetween. As shown in Figure 5, the main plate 102 also has a first end 126 and a second end 128 opposite the first end 126 with the length of the main plate 102 therebetween.

[0041] The overlap holder 100 may also include spacers 104 having respective first surfaces 132 and respective second surfaces 134, the second surfaces 134 facing the first surfaces 132 of the spacers 104 and having a thickness of the spacer 104 therebetween. Similar to the main plate 102, the first surfaces 132 may be the lower surfaces of the spacers 104, and the second surfaces 134 may be the upper surfaces of the spacers 104, as shown. In embodiments, the second surfaces 134 of the spacers 104 engage the first surfaces 122 of the main plate 102. As shown in FIG. 5 , the spacers 104 may also have respective first ends 136 and respective second ends 138 facing the first ends 136 and having a length of the spacer 104 therebetween.

[0042] Additionally, the overlap holder 100 can include top plates 106 having respective first surfaces 142, such as lower surfaces, and respective second surfaces 144, such as upper surfaces. Accordingly, the second surfaces 144 face opposite the first surfaces 142 of the top plates 106, with the thickness of the top plates 106 therebetween. As shown in FIG. 5 , similar to the main plates 102 and the spacers 104, the top plates 106 can have respective first ends 146 and respective second ends 148 opposite the first ends 146, with the length of the top plates 106 therebetween. In an embodiment, the first surfaces 142 of the top plates 106 can engage with the second surfaces 124 of the main plates 102.

[0043] As seen in FIGS. 3-5 , the overlap holder 100 may 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 may be a bolt having a respective head 113 at one end and a respective nut 114 at the opposite end. Each fastener 112 may extend through respective holes in the main plate 102, the spacer 104, and the top plate 106, with the respective ends of each fastener 112 adjacent the first surface 132 of the spacer 104 and the second surface 144 of the top plate 106. In this manner, the fasteners 112 may hold the top plate 106, the main plate 102, and the spacer 104 in engagement with one another. 4, the first surface 122 of the main plate 102 is configured and capable of engaging the upper tongue 35 of the first segment 34, and the first surface 132 of the spacer 104 is configured and capable of engaging the lower tongue 39 of the second segment 38. When the upper and lower tongues 35, 39 are engaged, the fasteners 112 cooperate with the top plate 106, main plate 102, and spacer 104 to press the upper tongue 35 and lower tongue 39 together.

[0044] As described above, the fastener 112 may be a bolt having a head 113 adjacent one of the lower tongue 39 or the top plate 106, where the bolt has a nut 114 adjacent the other of the lower tongue 39 or the top plate 106. The overlap holder 100 may also include an anti-rotation device, such as a tab washer 110, adjacent the top plate 106 and capable of engaging the head 113 and / or the nut 114 as well as the top plate 106. Thus, the tab washer 110 may engage one of the head 113 or the nut 114 adjacent the top plate 106 as well as the top plate 106, thereby preventing rotation of the head 113 and / or the nut 114 relative to the top plate 106. In the illustrated example, the tab washer 110 engages the nuts 114 of the first and second bolts 112. Additionally, welds 120 may be included between each nut 114 and a respective tab washer 110, and / or between one or more nuts 114 and one or more respective bolts 112. Welds 120 may be used to secure bolt heads 113 to lower tangs 39 (FIG. 5), nuts 114 to tab washers 110 (FIGS. 4 and 5) and / or top plate 106, and nuts 114 to bolts 112 (not shown).

[0045] To enable operation of the overlap holder 100, the main plate 102 is sized to engage with the upper tongue 35 of the first segment 34 of the segmented liner 32, as described above. The upper tongue 35 overlaps the lower tongue 39 of the second segment 38 of the segmented liner 32, and an end of each fastener 112 is configured to engage with the lower tongue 39. For example, if the fastener 112 is a bolt, the head 113 can engage with the lower tongue 39, although some embodiments may instead engage a nut 114 with the lower tongue 39. The main plate 102 and the respective ends of each fastener 112 can thereby urge the upper tongue 35 and the lower tongue 39 toward each other. 4 and 5, the thickness of the spacer 104 is selected to match the thickness of the upper tongue 35, thereby causing the inner surfaces of the first and second segments, such as the left segment 34 and the bottom segment 38, to be flush and improving engagement between the first surface 122 of the main plate 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. Additionally, or alternatively, the gap 118 can be defined by the spacer 104 and the notch 116 (FIG. 3) in the upper tongue 35. In either case, defining the gap 118 between the upper tongue 35 and the spacer 104 allows for thermal expansion of the components.

[0046] As can be seen particularly in FIG. 5 , the overlap holder 100 can include a vertical plate 108 disposed along the length of the main plate 102 between the fasteners 112. The vertical plate 108 can extend from the lower tongue 39 and through the main plate 102, spacer 104, and top plate 106 via respective longitudinal slots 130, 140, and 150 formed through the main plate 102, spacer 104, and top plate 106. In embodiments, as can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 , one or more welds 120 can be formed between the vertical plate 108 and spacer 104, the top plate 106, the tab washer 110, and / or the lower tongue 39. The vertical plate 108 can thereby contribute to holding the top plate 106, main plate 102, spacer 104, upper tongue 35, and lower tongue 39 together.

[0047] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide various technical and commercial advantages, examples of which are discussed herein. A technical effect of the overlap holder 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure is to connect segments of a liner for a turbomachinery component, such as an exhaust gas diffuser. The liner segments so connected can divert liquid to the bottom segment, which can include a drain or the like for removing fluid from within the liner and the component in which the liner is installed. A notch in the segment tongue can provide a gap between the tongue and a portion of the overlap holder to allow for thermal expansion of the liner segment, the overlap holder component, and / or other components.

[0048] As used herein throughout the specification and claims, approximation language may be applied to modify any quantitative expression that is permitted to vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it pertains. Thus, values ​​modified by terms such as "approximately," "about," and "substantially" are not limited to the exact value specified. In at least some instances, approximation language may correspond to the precision of the instrument used to measure the value. Here, and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations are combinable and / or permutable, and unless the context or language dictates otherwise, such ranges are identified and include all subranges encompassed therein. "About" or "approximately," as applied to a particular value in a range, applies to both endpoints and may indicate + / - 10% of the stated value, unless specifically reliant on the precision of the instrument used to measure the value.

[0049] Corresponding structure, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means-plus-function or step-plus-function elements in the following claims are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function as specifically claimed in combination with other claimed elements. The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. The embodiments were chosen and described to be suitable for the particular uses contemplated in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and practical applications of such techniques, and to enable those skilled in the art to appreciate various embodiments of the disclosure and the potential for various modifications of the disclosed embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1 Inlet air 2. Exhaust gas 3. Expanding Gas 10 Turbomachinery 12 Compressor 14 Turbine 16 shaft 18 Combustion Machine 20 Fuel supply source 22 Compressed air 24 Hot Gas 26 Exhaust system 30 Exhaust gas diffuser 32 Segmented Liner 34 left segment 35 Upper tongue 36 right segment 38 bottom segment 39 Lower tongue 40 Rear diffuser 42 Segmented Liner 50 Expansion joint 100 overlap holder 102 Main plate 104 Spacer 106 Top Plate 108 Vertical Plate 110 Tab washer 112 Fasteners, bolts 113 Head 114 Nut 116 Notch 118 Gap 120 Welded Section 122 First Side 124 Second Side 126 first end 128 Second End 130 Longitudinal Slot 132 First Side 134 Second Side 136 First end 138 Second End 140 Longitudinal Slot 142 First Side 144 Second Side 146 First End 148 Second End 150 Longitudinal Slot R rotation axis

Claims

1. An overlap holder (100) for a segmented liner (32) of an exhaust diffuser (30) of a turbomachine (10), comprising: a main plate (102) having a first surface (122) and a second surface (124) opposite the first surface (122), the main plate (102) having a first end (126) and a second end (128) opposite the first end (126); spacers (104) each having a first surface (132) and a second surface (134) opposite the first surface (132) of the spacer (104), the spacers (104) engaging the first surface (122) of the main plate (102); a top plate (106) having a respective first surface (142) and a respective second surface (144) opposite the first surface (142) of the top plate (106), the first surface (142) of the top plate (106) engaging the second surface (124) of the main plate (102); a fastener (112) at each of the first end (126) and the second end (128) of the main plate (102), each fastener (112) extending through a respective hole in the spacer (104), the main plate (102), and the top plate (106), each fastener (112) holding the spacer (104), the main plate (102), and the top plate (106) in mutual engagement to secure a first segment (34, 36, 38) of the segmented liner (32) to an adjacent second segment (34, 36, 38) of the segmented liner (32); An overlap holder (100) comprising:

2. 2. The overlap holder (100) of claim 1, further comprising a tab washer (110) adjacent the top plate (106) at each fastener (112), the tab washer (110) engaging the top plate (106) and a respective end of the fastener (112) adjacent the top plate (106), thereby preventing rotation of each respective fastener (112) relative to the top plate (106).

3. The overlap holder (100) of claim 2, further comprising a weld (120) securing each tab washer (110) to the respective fastener (112).

4. 4. The overlap holder (100) of claim 3, wherein each fastener (112) is a bolt having a head (113) at a first end and a nut (114) at a second end of the bolt opposite the first end, and the weld (120) securing each tab washer (110) to the respective fastener (112) is between the tab washer (110) and the respective nut (114).

5. The overlap holder (100) of claim 1, further comprising a weld (120) securing the top plate (106) to the main plate (102).

6. 2. The overlap holder (100) of claim 1, wherein the main plate (102) is sized to engage with an upper tongue (35) of the first segment (34) of the segmented liner (32), and the upper tongue (35) is configured to overlap a lower tongue (39) of the adjacent second segment (38) of the segmented liner (32), and when assembled, an end of each fastener (112) is configured to engage with the lower tongue (39) such that the respective ends of the main plate (102) and each fastener (112) urge the upper tongue (35) and the lower tongue (39) toward each other.

7. 7. The overlap holder (100) of claim 6, wherein the thickness of the spacer (104) is selected to match the thickness of the upper tongue (35).

8. The overlap holder (100) of claim 6, wherein the spacer (104) and the upper tongue (35) define a gap (118) between the spacer (104) and the upper tongue (35).

9. 2. The overlap holder (100) of claim 1, further comprising a vertical plate (108) disposed along the length of the main plate (102), the spacer (104), and the top plate (106) between the fasteners (112), the vertical plate (108) extending through the main plate (102), the spacer (104), and the top plate (106) via respective longitudinal slots (130, 140, 150) formed through the main plate (102), the spacer (104), and the top plate (106).

10. 10. The overlap holder (100) of claim 9, further comprising a weld (120) between the vertical plate (108) and at least one of the top plate (106), the tab washer (110), or the spacer (104).

11. A segmented liner (32) for an exhaust diffuser (30) of a turbomachine (10), the segmented liner (32) comprising: a plurality of liner segments (34, 36, 38) collectively defining an inner surface of the exhaust diffuser and including: a first segment (34) having an upper tongue (35) at a first radial distance from an axis of rotation of the turbomachine (10); and a second segment (38) having a lower tongue (39) at a second radial distance greater than the first radial distance, such that the upper tongue (35) overlaps the lower tongue (39); an overlap holder (100) for connecting the first segment (34) to the second segment (38), the overlap holder (100) being defined in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 10; A segmented liner (32) comprising:

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