Impingement insert with spring element for hot gas path components - Patents.com

Abstract

To provide an impingement insert for an HGP component, and an HGP component including the impingement insert.SOLUTION: An impingement insert 180 for HGP component may include a hollow body 190 having a longitudinal extent, an exterior surface 192 and an interior surface 194. The hollow body may include a first side wall 200, and a second side wall 202 contiguous with the first side wall at a first end 204, 232 of each, where the second side wall is flexibly movable relative to the first side wall. A spring element 210 is contiguous with a second end 212, 252 of each of the first side wall and the second side wall, and extends along at least a portion of the longitudinal extent of the hollow body and into the hollow body between the first side wall and the second side wall. The spring element biases the side walls to an expanded position from a compressed position of the hollow body. Cooling passages 220 pass between the exterior surface and the interior surface of the hollow body in both side walls.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to turbomachinery, and more specifically, to an impingement insert for a hot gas path (HGP) component that includes a spring element that enables a hollow body thereof to move between a compressed position and an extended position. [Background technology]

[0002] An impingement insert or sleeve comprises a hollow body having cooling passages in its walls, which allows coolant to be delivered through the cooling passages to act on or impinge on the surface to be cooled. Impingement inserts are used in various HGP components in turbomachinery to improve the cooling performance of the internal cooling circuit. One measure of the cooling performance of an insert is the Z / D parameter, which is the ratio of the distance D between the insert and the inner surface of the HGP component to the diameter D of the cooling passage (hole) in the impingement insert. The Z / D parameter value of the insert is typically designed to fall within a desired range that results in better cooling performance. One of the challenges of impingement inserts is not only to position the impingement insert within a cavity in an already formed HGP component, but to position the insert close enough to allow for high cooling performance (i.e., observed by a lower Z / D parameter). One approach involves providing the impingement insert in multiple flexible longitudinal sections to facilitate insertion into the HGP component. However, the need to sequentially position and bond multiple insert sections together or bond them to the HGP components increases manufacturing complexity, time, and cost. Flexible impingement insert sections also do not provide adjacent elements around their periphery, i.e., laterally (cross-section), which may compromise cooling performance if the insert sections are discontinuous. Summary of the Invention

[0003] A first aspect of the disclosure provides an impingement insert for a hot gas path (HGP) component, the impingement insert comprising: a hollow body having a longitudinal extent, an outer surface, and an inner surface, the impingement insert further comprising: a first sidewall, a second sidewall adjacent the first sidewall at a respective first end, the second sidewall configured to be flexibly moveable relative to the first sidewall, and a spring element adjacent the second end of each of the first and second sidewalls, the spring element extending into the hollow body between the first and second sidewalls along at least a portion of the longitudinal extent of the hollow body, the spring element biasing the first and second sidewalls from a compressed position of the hollow body to an expanded position of the hollow body; and a plurality of cooling passages in at least the first and second sidewalls passing between the outer and inner surfaces of the hollow body.

[0004] A second aspect of the disclosure provides a hot gas path (HGP) component, the HGP component comprising: a component body having a hollow cavity therein; and an impingement insert for mounting in the hollow cavity, the impingement insert being a hollow body having a longitudinal extent, an outer surface, and an inner surface, the impingement insert including a first sidewall, a second sidewall adjacent the first sidewall at each first end, the second sidewall being configured to be flexibly moveable relative to the first sidewall, and a second sidewall having a first end. The hollow body further includes a spring element adjacent a second end of each of the first and second sidewalls, the spring element extending into the hollow body between the first and second sidewalls along at least a portion of the longitudinal extent of the hollow body, biasing the first and second sidewalls from a compressed position of the hollow body to an expanded position of the hollow body, and a plurality of cooling passages in at least the first and second sidewalls, the plurality of cooling passages passing between an exterior surface and an interior surface of the hollow body.

[0005] The illustrative aspects of the present disclosure are designed to solve the problems described herein and / or other problems not discussed.

[0006] 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 which illustrate various embodiments of the disclosure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary gas turbine system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary gas turbine assembly with a three-stage nozzle that may be used with the GT system of FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view of a turbine rotor blade of a type in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be employed; [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of a turbine nozzle or vane of a type in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be employed; [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a top view of an HGP component including an impingement sleeve with a spring element according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an impingement insert with a spring element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a top view of the impingement insert of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 7 is a side view of the impingement insert of FIG. 6. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is an enlarged top partial cross-sectional view of a spring element according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is an enlarged top partial cross-sectional view of a spring element according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional side view of a closure for an impingement insert in a compressed position according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] 12 is an enlarged side partial cross-sectional view of a closure for the impingement insert from FIG. 11 in an extended position according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a top view of a cover for an impingement insert according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a top view of a cover for an impingement insert according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a top view of an impingement insert in a compressed position for insertion into an HGP component according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a top view of the impingement insert from FIG. 15 in an extended (and installed) position in an HGP component according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] It should be noted that the drawings of the present disclosure are not necessarily drawn to scale. The drawings are intended to illustrate only typical aspects of the present disclosure, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. In the drawings, like numbers represent like elements between the drawings.

[0009] As a first issue, in order to clearly explain the present disclosure, it becomes necessary to select specific terminology when describing it with reference to relevant machine components, for example, in turbomachinery. In doing so, common industry terminology is used and utilized, whenever possible, with the same meaning as its accepted meaning. Unless otherwise indicated, such terminology should be given a broad interpretation consistent with the context of this application and the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art will appreciate 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 being made up of multiple components. Alternatively, what may be described herein as comprising multiple components may be referred to elsewhere as a single part.

[0010] In addition, some descriptive terms may be used in this specification as a rule, and it will prove useful to define these terms at the beginning of this section. These terms and their definitions are as follows, unless otherwise stated. As used herein, "downstream" and "upstream" are terms that indicate a direction relative to the flow of a fluid, such as a working fluid through a turbine GT system, or, for example, the flow of air through a combustor, or a coolant through one of the turbine's component systems. The term "downstream" corresponds to the direction of the fluid flow, and the term "upstream" refers to the opposite direction of the flow. The terms "forward" and "aft" refer to directions, unless otherwise stated, with "forward" referring to the forward or compressor end of the GT system, and "aft" referring to the aft or turbine end of the GT system. It is often required to describe components that are at different radial positions with respect to a central axis. The term "radial" refers to a movement or position perpendicular to the axis. In such cases, if a first component is located closer to the axis than a second component, the first component is described herein as being "radially inward" or "inward" of the second component. On the other hand, if a first component is located farther from the axis than a second component, the first component may be described herein as being "radially outward" or "outward" of the second component. The term "axial" refers to movement or position parallel to the axis. Finally, the term "circumferential" refers to movement or position about the axis. It will be understood that such terms may be applied in relation to the central axis of the turbine.

[0011] In addition, certain descriptive terms may be used in the present specification in an orderly manner, as described below: The terms "first," "second," and "third" may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another, and are not intended to denote the location or importance of the individual components.

[0012] The terminology used herein is merely for the purpose of describing certain embodiments and is not intended to limit the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural unless otherwise specified. 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 subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and the description includes instances in which the event occurs and instances in which it does not occur.

[0013] When an element or layer is referred to as "on," "engaged," "disengaged," "connected," or "coupled" to another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, or coupled to the other element or layer, or there may be intervening elements or layers. Conversely, when an element is referred to as "directly on," "directly engaged," "directly connected," or "directly coupled" to another element or layer, there may not be intervening elements or layers. Other words used to describe relationships between elements should be interpreted similarly (e.g., "directly between" versus "between," "directly adjacent to" versus "directly adjacent to," etc.). As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0014] As indicated above, the present disclosure provides an impingement insert for an HGP component, and an HGP component including an impingement insert. The impingement insert, which may be referred to as an impingement sleeve, includes a hollow body having a longitudinal extent, an outer surface, and an inner surface. The hollow body may include a first sidewall and a second sidewall adjacent the first sidewall at a respective first end. The second sidewall is flexibly movable relative to the first sidewall. A spring element is adjacent a second end of each of the first and second sidewalls and extends along at least a portion of the longitudinal extent of the hollow body. The spring element also extends within the hollow body between the first and second sidewalls. The spring element biases the sidewalls from a compressed position of the hollow body to an expanded position. A cooling passage passes between the outer and inner surfaces of the hollow body within both sidewalls. The impingement inserts are laterally compressible and / or flexible so that they can be compressed and inserted into hollow cavities in already formed HGP components, released to fill the shape of the hollow cavities, and fixed in place. The impingement inserts extend the full length of the hollow cavities in the HGP components, i.e., are not sectioned, so that their insertion is a one-step operation. Additionally, the impingement inserts are laterally, i.e., contiguous in circumferential cross section, to avoid creating areas of poor cooling performance.

[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an exemplary machine in the form of a turbomachine 90 that may include hot gas path (HGP) components including impingement inserts according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated example, the turbomachine 90 includes a gas turbine (GT) system 100 including a compressor 102 and a combustor 104. The combustor 104 includes a combustion region 105 and a fuel nozzle assembly 106. The system 100 also includes a turbine 108 and a common compressor / turbine shaft 110 (sometimes referred to as a rotor 110). In one embodiment, the GT system 100 is an MS7001FB GT system, sometimes referred to as a 9FB GT system, available from General Electric Company of Greenville, South Carolina. The present disclosure is not limited to any particular GT system and may be implemented in connection with other GT systems including, for example, General Electric Company's MS7001FA (7FA) and MS9001FA (9FA) GT system models.

[0016] During operation, air flows through the compressor 102 and the compressed air is delivered to the combustor 104. Specifically, the compressed air is delivered to a fuel nozzle assembly 106 integrated with the combustor 104. The assembly 106 is in flow communication with a combustion region 105. The fuel nozzle assembly 106 is also in flow communication with a fuel source (not shown in FIG. 1 ) and directs the fuel and air to the combustion region 105. The combustor 104 ignites and burns the fuel. The combustor 104 is in flow communication with a turbine 108 in which thermal energy of the gas stream is converted to mechanical rotational energy. The turbine 108 is rotatably coupled to a rotor 110 to drive the rotor 110. The compressor 102 is also rotatably coupled to a shaft 110. In the exemplary embodiment, there are multiple combustors 104 and fuel nozzle assemblies 106.

[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary turbine 108 with a three-stage nozzle that may be used with the GT system 100 of FIG. 1. The turbine 108 includes stationary vanes 112. The stationary vanes 112 are retained in the turbine assembly 108 by a radially outer platform 114 and a radially inner platform 116. The stationary vanes 112 may include one or more circumferentially spaced airfoils 156 (FIG. 4). The rotating blades 120 are coupled to the rotor 110 and extend between the rows of stationary vanes 112. As will be further described, combustion gases are directed by the stationary vanes 112 against the rotating blades 120, causing the rotor 110 to spin.

[0018] 3 and 4 illustrate an exemplary HGP component 122 of the GT system 100 that may employ impingement inserts according to embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a turbine rotor blade 130 of a type that may employ embodiments of the present disclosure. The turbine rotor blade 130 includes a root 132 at which the rotor blade 130 is attached to the rotor 110 (FIGS. 1-2). The root 132 may include a dovetail configured to mount into a corresponding dovetail slot at the periphery of a rotor disk. The root 132 may further include a shank extending between the dovetail and a platform 134 disposed at the junction of an airfoil 136 and the root 132 and defining a portion of an inner boundary of a flowpath through the turbine 108. It will be appreciated that the airfoil 136 is an active component of the rotor blade 130 that blocks the flow of the working fluid to rotate the rotor disk. The airfoil 136 of the rotor blade 130 is seen to include a concave pressure side (PS) outer wall 140 and a circumferentially or laterally opposed convex suction side (SS) outer wall 142 extending axially between opposed leading and trailing edges 144 and 146, respectively. The outer walls 140 and 142 also extend radially from the platform 134 to an outer tip 148.

[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a type of static nozzle or vane 150 that may employ embodiments of the present disclosure. The static vane 150 includes an outer platform 152 on which the static vane 150 is mounted to a casing of a turbomachine. The outer platform 152 may include any now known or later developed mounting configuration for mounting to a corresponding mount in the casing. The static vane 150 may further include an inner platform 154 for positioning between the platforms 134 (FIG. 3) of adjacent turbine rotor blades 120, 130 (FIGS. 2 and 3). The platforms 152, 154 define respective portions of the outer and inner boundaries of the flowpath through the GT system 100. It will be appreciated that the airfoil 156 is an active component of the static vane 150 that intercepts and directs the flow of the working fluid toward the turbine rotor blades 130 (FIG. 3). Airfoil portion 156 of stationary vane 150 is seen to include a concave pressure side (PS) outer wall 160 and a circumferentially or laterally opposed convex suction side (SS) outer wall 162 extending axially between opposed leading and trailing edges 164 and 166, respectively. Outer walls 160 and 162 also extend radially from platform 154 to platform 152.

[0020] As understood in the art, impingement inserts may be employed, for example, in the HGP components 122 of the GT system 100 to distribute cooling fluid to the HGP components. The HGP components 122 may include, for example, the rotating blades 130 or stationary vanes 150, and / or the airfoils 136, 156 thereof. FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of an exemplary HGP component 122 including a hollow cavity 172 within its component body 170, for example, in either of the airfoils 136, 156 (FIGS. 3 and 4). That is, the HGP component 122 includes a component body 170 having a hollow cavity 172 within which an impingement insert 180 is positioned. Typically, a coolant such as air or steam is supplied to the interior of the impingement insert 180 and exhausted through internal cooling passages (not shown in FIG. 5). The exhausted coolant impinges on an interior surface 184 of the HGP component 122 and cools the HGP component. When the HGP component includes an airfoil 136, 156, the HGP component may include a hollow cavity 172 extending therein a substantial portion of its length. An embodiment of the impingement insert 180 according to the present disclosure may be applied to the hollow cavity 172 in the airfoil 136, 156 (FIGS. 3 and 4), for example. As described, the hollow body 190 is adjacent to the chord direction of the airfoil, i.e., the circumferential cross section of the airfoil. Although the teachings of the present disclosure are described in relation to the GT system 100, the rotating blades 120, 130, and the stationary vanes 112, 150, and their airfoils 136, 156, it is emphasized that the teachings are not limited to only these applications. An impingement insert 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied to a wide variety of other applications, all of which are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0021] 6-8 show various views of an impingement insert 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8 show perspective, top, and side views, respectively, of an impingement insert 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The impingement insert 180 includes a hollow body 190 having a longitudinal extent L (FIG. 8 only), an outer surface 192, and an inner surface 194. The longitudinal extent L may be any length necessary for the operation of the particular impingement insert 180 depending on its function. The impingement insert 180 may have a length L to match the length of the hollow cavity 172 of the component body 170 in, for example, a vane or blade. In this regard, the use of the impingement insert 180 allows for a one-step operation of inserting the impingement insert into the HGP component. The hollow body 190 may also include a first sidewall 200 and a second sidewall 202. The second sidewall 202 is adjacent to the first sidewall 200 at each first end 204. That is, the first and second sidewalls 200, 202 have no seam or junction between them at the first end 204. As shown, the first and second sidewalls 200, 202 are angled relative to each other and each may have a shape that is parallel to the inner surface 184 of the hollow cavity 172 of the HGP component 122. The sidewalls 200, 202 are configured to be flexibly movable relative to each other. That is, the first sidewall 200 and the second sidewall 202 can bend relative to each other, e.g., toward each other, without breaking. The hollow body 190 also includes a spring element 210 adjacent to a second end 212 of each of the first sidewall 200 and the second sidewall 202. The second ends 212 of the side walls are spaced apart from one another such that the spring element 210 can extend along at least a portion of the longitudinal extent L (FIG. 6) of the hollow body 190. In the example shown, the spring element 210 extends the entire length of the hollow body 190, although this may not be necessary in all cases. The spring element 210 also extends into the hollow body 190 such that it is between the first side wall 200 and the second side wall 202. That is, the spring element 210 extends inwardly into the hollow body 190 and therefore between the side walls 200, 202.The spring element 210 extending within the hollow body 190 between the first side wall 200 and the second side wall 202 provides a smaller and more compact footprint for the impingement insert, facilitating insertion into the HGP component 122.

[0022] As shown in Figures 6-8, the impingement insert 180 may also include a number of cooling passages 220 within at least the first sidewall 200 and the second sidewall 202. The cooling passages 220 pass between the exterior surface 192 and the interior surface 194 of the hollow body 190. The cooling passages 220 allow coolant to pass from the hollow body 190 and impinge on the interior surface 184 (Figure 5) of the hollow cavity 172 within the component body 170 of the HGP component 122. Any number, shape, size, or arrangement of the cooling passages 220 may be provided.

[0023] The spring element 210 biases the first and second side walls 200, 202 from a compressed position of the hollow body 190 shown in Figures 11 and 15 to an expanded position of the hollow body 190 shown in Figures 5-8, 12-14, and 16. The spring element 210 may include any now known or later developed spring capable of withstanding the environment of the HGP component 122 and providing a force F2 (Figure 12) sufficient to expand the first and second side walls 200, 202. In one embodiment shown in Figures 5-8, 11-16, the spring element 210 includes a V-spring 214 having a point 216 thereof that extends into the hollow body 190 between the first and second side walls 200, 202. In other examples, as shown in the enlarged top partial cross-sectional views of Figures 9 and 10, the spring element 210 can have any number of corrugations therein, such as a sinusoidal shape with two (W-shape in Figure 9) or more peaks (Figure 10). Other shapes of the spring element 210 may also be possible.

[0024] As best shown in Figures 6 and 8, the impingement insert 180 may also include a number of supports 224 on the exterior surface 192 of the first and second sidewalls 200, 202 of the hollow body 190. The supports 224 may position the hollow body 190 against the interior surface 184 (Figure 5) of the hollow cavity 172 of the HGP component 122 and may aid in heat transfer. Any number of supports 224 operable to position the impingement insert 180 against the interior surface 184 (Figure 5) or to provide a desired heat transfer may be used. The supports 224 may have any desired shape, such as fins, pins, and / or chevrons, configured to position the insert against the interior surface 184 (Figure 5) and / or provide a desired heat transfer.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 5, 7, 11-16, the impingement insert 180 may also include a closure 230 at a first end 232 (FIGS. 11-12) of the hollow body 190. FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the end of the hollow body 190 in a compressed position, and FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of the end of the hollow body 190 in an expanded position. As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the closure 230 may include a solid portion 234 for closing a first portion 236 of the first end 232 of the hollow body 190 and leaving a second portion 238 of the first end 232 of the hollow body 190 open. The closure 230 may be coupled to the first end 232 by any now known or later developed method, such as, for example, welding together, additively manufactured, etc. The closure 230 is shaped to match the shape of the first portion 236 between the first sidewall 200 and the second sidewall 202, and may be partially shaped, for example, like the circumferential cross section of an airfoil. The closure 230 may have an edge 240 of any shape that defines an open second portion 238 with the remaining edges of the first sidewall 200 and the second sidewall 202. In addition, the edge 240 of the closure 230 may be shaped and positioned such that the open second portion 238 can provide sufficient space for the movement of the spring element 210. In this regard, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, the end 246 of the spring element 210 adjacent the first end 232 of the hollow body 190 is free to move within the (open) second portion 238 of the first end 232 of the hollow body 190 that is not closed by the closure 230, i.e., when the spring element 210 moves between the expanded and compressed positions. 5 and 7, the edge 240 is linear, whereas, for example, in FIG. 13, the edge 240 is V-shaped and in FIG. 14, the edge 240 is curved. FIGS. 11 and 12 show that the solid portion 234 of the closure 230 may be configured to flex with the first and second side walls 200, 202 of the hollow body 190 as the side walls move between the expanded position of the hollow body 190 shown in FIG. 12 and the compressed position of the hollow body 190 shown in FIG. 11. As shown, the solid portion 234 may bend outward from the hollow body 190 to accommodate compression, although this may not be necessary in all cases.The solid portion 234 may be configured to bend in any now known or later developed manner, for example, made of a flexible metal that is slightly curved, slotted, or otherwise configured to accommodate bending. The solid portion 234 may also be configured to bend inwardly into the hollow body 190. In the expanded position shown in FIG. 12, the solid portion 234 may be substantially planar.

[0026] The impingement insert 180 may also optionally include any now known or later developed cover 250. The impingement insert 180 may also be coverless. The cover 250 may be provided near the end of the hollow cavity to connect to the inner surface 184 of the hollow cavity 172 to seal or reduce flow from the end of the space between the outer surface 192 of the hollow body 190 (FIG. 8) and the inner surface 184 of the hollow cavity 172 of the HGP component 122 (FIG. 5). The cover 250 may also act to space the impingement insert from the inner surface 184 of the hollow cavity 172. For example, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the cover 250 may extend laterally outward on a second end 252 of the hollow body 190 opposite the first end 232 of the hollow body 190 (FIG. 6). The cover 250 is configured to be coupled to the HGP component 122, for example, having an inner shape that matches the hollow body 190 at its ends. The cover 250 can be coupled to the hollow body 190, for example, by welding. The cover 250 can be a flexible member that includes gaps 254 defined therein at the locations of the spring elements 210 to provide some flexibility. That is, the cover 250 does not have to be continuous where the spring elements 210 are present, for example, to allow the cover 250 to flex as the spring elements 210 move and the hollow body 190 is compressed. The gaps 254 can have any size capable of providing the desired flexibility. In another embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the impingement insert 180 can include a triangular cover 258 secured over the spring elements 210, for example, welded together with the insert in place within the HGP component 122. In another embodiment shown in FIG. 14 , the cover 250 may include a number of spaced slots 256 that allow it to flex inwardly, but which can be welded into place fixed once the impingement insert 180 is in place within the HGP component 122.

[0027] 11, 12, 15, and 16, during operation, the impingement insert 180 may be forced into a compressed position by application of a force F1, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 15. In the compressed position, the side walls 200, 202 of the hollow body 190 move closer to one another. The cover 250 may also be bent and compressed, as shown in FIG. 11. In the compressed position, as shown in FIG. 15, the hollow body 190 may be inserted into the hollow cavity 172 of the HGP component 122. The impingement insert 180 may extend the entire longitudinal extent of the hollow cavity 172, which allows the entire impingement insert 180 to be inserted in one step, eliminating the need to position multiple impingement insert sections. The impingement insert 180 also does not require the joining of multiple impingement insert sections, which may be required in conventional configurations. Once the impingement insert 180 is inserted into the hollow cavity 172 of the HGP component 122, the force F1 (FIGS. 11 and 15) can be removed, allowing the spring element 210 to move the impingement insert 180 to an extended position, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 16. In the extended position, shown in FIG. 16, the hollow body 190 of the impingement insert 180 expands to engage the inner surface 184 of the hollow cavity 172 of the HGP component 122. The support 224 (FIGS. 6 and 8) positions the impingement insert 180 a desired distance away from the inner surface 184. Once in place, the impingement insert 180 can be coupled to the HGP component 122, for example, by welding (e.g., spot welding) the impingement insert 180 and / or the cover 250 (if provided) to the HGP component 122.

[0028] The impingement insert 180, closure 230, and / or cover 250 may be fabricated by any now known or later developed process, such as stamping and welding, additive manufacturing, or the like.

[0029] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide impingement inserts, and HGP components including impingement inserts, that provide improved cooling performance by positioning the inserts proximate to an inner surface of the HGP component, such as the inner wall of an airfoil. Having an expandable flexible insert not only allows the insert to be easily inserted, but ultimately allows it to be proximate to the inner surface of the target, improving cooling effectiveness by reducing coolant flow and improving Z / D parameter values.

[0030] As used herein throughout the specification and claims, approximation language can be applied to modify any quantitative expression that can be reasonably varied without causing a change in the basic function involved. 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 can correspond to the precision of the instrument for measuring the value. Here, and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations can be combined and / or substituted, and such ranges are identified and include all subranges encompassed therein, unless the context and language dictate otherwise. "About" applied to a particular value in a range applies to both values ​​and can indicate + / - 10% of the stated value, unless specifically dependent on the precision of the instrument for measuring the value.

[0031] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means-plus-function or step-plus-function elements in the following claims are intended to encompass any structures, materials, or acts for performing that function in combination with other specifically claimed claim 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 disclosed form. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. The present embodiment has been chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and practical application of the disclosure, and to enable others skilled in the art to understand the disclosure in its various embodiments with various modifications as appropriate for the particular use envisaged. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 90 Turbomachinery 100 Gas Turbine (GT) System 102 Compressor 104 Combustor 105 Combustion Zone 106 Fuel Nozzle Assembly 108 Turbine 110 Shaft / Rotor 112 Stationary Vane 114 Radial outer platform 116 Radial Inner Platform 120 Turbine rotor blades / rotating blades 122 Hot Gas Path (HGP) Components 130 Turbine rotor blades / rotating blades 132 Base 134 Platform 136 Airfoil 140 Concave pressure side (PS) outer wall 142 Convex suction side (SS) outer wall 144 Leading Edge 146 Trailing edge 148 Outer tip 150 Static Vane 152 Outer Platform 154 Inner Platform 156 Airfoil 160 Concave pressure side (PS) outer wall 162 Convex suction side (SS) outer wall 164 Leading Edge 166 Trailing edge 170 Component Body 172 Hollow Cavity 180 Impingement Insert 184 Inside 190 Hollow body 192 Exterior 194 Inside 200 First side wall 202 Second Side Wall 204 First end 210 Spring elements 212 Second End 214 V-spring 216 points 220 Cooling passage 224 Support 230 Closure 232 First end 234 Solid Part 236 First Part 238 Second Part 240 Edge 246 End 250 Cover 252 Second End 254 Gap 256 Slots 258 Triangular Cover F1 force F2 force L Longitudinal range

Claims

1. An impingement insert (180) for a hot gas path (HGP) component (122), the impingement insert (180) comprising: A hollow body (190) having a longitudinal extent (L), an outer surface (192) and an inner surface (184, 194), A first side wall (200), a second sidewall (202) adjacent the first sidewall (200) at each first axial end (204), the second sidewall (202) being configured to be flexibly movable relative to the first sidewall (200); a spring element (210) adjacent a second axial end (212) of each of the first side wall (200) and the second side wall (202), the spring element (210) extending into the hollow body (190) between the first side wall (200) and the second side wall (202) along at least a portion of the longitudinal extent (L) of the hollow body (190), the spring element (210) biasing the first side wall (200) and the second side wall (202) from a compressed position of the hollow body (190) to an expanded position of the hollow body (190); A hollow body (190) further comprising: a closure (230) provided at a first radial end (232) of the hollow body (190), the closure (230) including a solid portion (234) for closing a first portion (236) of the first radial end (232) of the hollow body (190) and leaving open a second portion (238) of the first radial end (232) of the hollow body (190); a plurality of cooling passages (220) in at least the first sidewall (200) and the second sidewall (202), the plurality of cooling passages (220) passing between the outer surface (192) and the inner surface (184, 194) of the hollow body (190); An impingement insert (180).

2. 2. The impingement insert (180) of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of supports (224) on the outer surface (192) of the first sidewall (200) and the second sidewall (202) of the hollow body (190) that position the hollow body (190) relative to an inner surface (184, 194) of a hollow cavity (172) of the HGP component (122).

3. 3. The impingement insert (180) of claim 2, wherein in the compressed position, the hollow body (190) is insertable into the hollow cavity (172) of the HGP component (122) and, in the expanded position, the hollow body (190) expands to engage the inner surface (184, 194) of the hollow cavity (172) of the HGP component (122).

4. 2. The impingement insert (180) of claim 1, wherein an end (246) of the spring element (210) adjacent the first radial end (232) of the hollow body (190) is free to move within the second portion (238) of the first radial end (232) of the hollow body (190) that is not closed by the closure (230).

5. 5. The impingement insert (180) of claim 4, wherein the solid portion (234) of the closure (230) is configured to flex with the first sidewall (200) and the second sidewall (202) of the hollow body (190) as the first sidewall (200) and the second sidewall (202) move between the expanded position of the hollow body (190) and the compressed position of the hollow body (190).

6. 5. The impingement insert (180) of claim 4, further comprising a cover (250) extending laterally outwardly on a second radial end (252) of the hollow body (190) opposite the first radial end (232) of the hollow body (190), the cover (250) configured to be coupled to the HGP component (122).

7. The impingement insert (180) of claim 6, wherein said cover (250) includes a plurality of spaced apart slots (256) therein.

8. The impingement insert (180) of claim 6, wherein the cover (250) includes a gap (254) defined therein at the location of the spring element (210).

9. The impingement insert (180) of claim 6, wherein the cover (250) further comprises a triangular shaped cover (258) mounted on the spring element (210).

10. 2. The impingement insert (180) of claim 1, wherein the spring element (210) comprises a V-spring (214) having a point (216) thereof that extends into the hollow body (190) between the first sidewall (200) and the second sidewall (202).

11. 2. The impingement insert (180) of claim 1, wherein the HGP component (122) includes an airfoil (136) having a hollow cavity (172) therein, and the hollow body (190) is chordwise adjacent to the airfoil (136).

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