초록 ▼

A modified turbine engine design in which control of the forward load on a thrust bearing is improved, while reducing or eliminating the need for the use of a balance piston is disclosed. The turbine engine has a longitudinal axis and comprises, a compressor for pressurizing gases in the engine. The

A modified turbine engine design in which control of the forward load on a thrust bearing is improved, while reducing or eliminating the need for the use of a balance piston is disclosed. The turbine engine has a longitudinal axis and comprises, a compressor for pressurizing gases in the engine. The impeller has an impeller rear face and a tip. The engine further comprises a shaft mounted to a thrust bearing for rotation about the axis. The impeller is fixed to the shaft for rotation therewith. A cavity fixed within the engine casing is defined at least by the impeller rear face and is in communication with the pressurized gases at the impeller tip. The engine further comprises a bleed in communication with both the cavity and the pressurized gases, so that the cavity is pressurized by the pressurized gases from the impeller tip and the bleed, thereby loading the impeller rear face to load the thrust bearing through the shaft. Preferably, the pressurized gases from the bleed reduce flow swirl in the cavity and thereby increase the pressure in the cavity.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] A turbine engine within an engine casing, said turbine engine hating a longitudinal axis, said turbine engine comprising:a compressor comprising an impeller, said impeller having an impeller rear face and an impeller tip, said compressor for pressurizing gases in said turbine engine

[ I claim:] [1.] A turbine engine within an engine casing, said turbine engine hating a longitudinal axis, said turbine engine comprising:a compressor comprising an impeller, said impeller having an impeller rear face and an impeller tip, said compressor for pressurizing gases in said turbine engine;a shaft mounted to a thrust bearing for rotation about said axis, said impeller fixed to said shaft for rotation therewith;a combustion section in flow communication with pressurized gases from said compressor;a cavity fixed within said engine casing and defined at least by said impeller rear face and in flow communication at said impeller tip with pressurized gases from said impeller tip, said impeller tip gases having a tangential velocity about said axis within said cavity; anda bleed in flow communication between said cavity and said combustion section with pressurized gases from said combustion section, said bleed adapted to guide the flow of said combustion section gases to reduce said tangential velocity of said impeller tip gases in said cavity, said cavity pressurized by pressurized gases from said impeller tip and from said bleed, thereby loading said impeller rear face to load said thrust bearing through said shaft.