초록 ▼

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is directed to a turbine engine having a rotatable turbine rotor assembly, a stationary nozzle assembly disposed adjacent thereto and a wheel space defined therebetween. The wheel space receives cooling air therein and includes a sealing feature located on th

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is directed to a turbine engine having a rotatable turbine rotor assembly, a stationary nozzle assembly disposed adjacent thereto and a wheel space defined therebetween. The wheel space receives cooling air therein and includes a sealing feature located on the first, rotatable turbine rotor assembly and extending axially into the wheel space and a sealing land assembly having a sealing land associated with a moveable member installed in an opening in the second, stationary nozzle assembly. A biasing member constructed of shape memory alloy is associated with the moveable member and operates to bias the moveable member, and associated sealing land, axially into the wheel space towards the sealing feature as the turbine engine transitions from a cold state to a hot state to reduce the release of cooling air from within the wheel space.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A turbine engine comprising: a first turbine engine assembly;a second turbine engine assembly disposed adjacent to the first turbine engine assembly;a wheel space defined between the first turbine engine assembly and the second turbine engine assembly and configured to receive cooling air therein

1. A turbine engine comprising: a first turbine engine assembly;a second turbine engine assembly disposed adjacent to the first turbine engine assembly;a wheel space defined between the first turbine engine assembly and the second turbine engine assembly and configured to receive cooling air therein;a sealing feature located on the first turbine engine assembly and extending axially into the wheel space;a sealing land assembly, having a sealing land associated with a moveable member, installed in an opening in the second turbine assembly, a biasing member constructed of shape memory alloy associated with the moveable member and configured to bias the moveable member and associated sealing land axially into the wheel space towards the sealing feature as the turbine engines transitions from a cold state to a hot state. 2. The turbine engine of claim 1, wherein the biasing member is configured as a two-way shape memory alloy having a first axial length in a cold, martensitic state and a second, longer axial length in a hot, austenitic state. 3. The turbine engine of claim 1, the shape memory alloy having a composition such that a phase change from a cold, martensitic state to a hot, austenitic state occurs as the gas turbine engine transitions from a cold state to a hot state. 4. The turbine engine of claim 1, wherein the shape memory alloy comprises a nickel-titanium alloy. 5. The turbine engine of claim 1, wherein the biasing member is configured to bias the moveable member and associated sealing land axially out of the wheel space and away from the sealing feature as the turbine engine transitions from a hot state to a cold state. 6. A turbine engine comprising: a first, rotatable turbine rotor assembly;a second, stationary nozzle assembly disposed adjacent to the first, rotatable turbine rotor assembly;a wheel space defined between the first, rotatable turbine rotor assembly and the second, stationary nozzle assembly and configured to receive cooling air therein; anda sealing feature located on the first, rotatable turbine rotor assembly and extending axially into the wheel space;a sealing land assembly, having a sealing land associated with a moveable member, installed in an opening in the second, stationary nozzle assembly;a biasing member constructed of shape memory alloy associated with the moveable member and configured to bias the moveable member and associated sealing land axially into the wheel space towards the sealing feature as the turbine engine transitions from a cold state to a hot state. 7. The turbine engine of claim 6, wherein the biasing member is configured as a two-way shape memory alloy having a first axial length in a cold, martensitic state and a second, longer axial length in a hot, austenitic state. 8. The turbine engine of claim 6, wherein the shape memory alloy has a composition such that a phase change from a cold, martensitic state to a hot, austenitic state occurs as the gas turbine engine transitions from a cold state to a hot state. 9. The turbine engine of claim 6, wherein the biasing member is configured to bias the moveable member and associated sealing land axially out of the wheel space and away from the sealing feature as the turbine engine transitions from a hot state to a cold state. 10. The turbine engine of claim 6, wherein the shape memory alloy comprises a Nickel-Titanium alloy. 11. A turbine engine comprising: a turbine housing having an upstream and a downstream end;a stationary nozzle assembly disposed within the housing in fixed relationship to the housing;a turbine rotor assembly supported within the housing for rotation therein and operable, during operation of the turbine engine, to thermally expand relative to the stationary nozzle assembly;a wheel space defined between the stationary nozzle assembly and the rotatable turbine rotor assembly and configured to receive cooling air therein;a sealing feature located on the turbine rotor assembly and extending axially into the wheel space;a sealing land assembly, having a sealing land associated with a moveable member, installed in an opening in the stationary nozzle assembly;a biasing member, constructed of shape memory alloy having a composition such that a phase change from a cold, martensitic state to a hot, austenitic state is within the heat transient of the gas turbine engine, associated with the moveable member and configured to bias the moveable member and associated sealing land axially into the wheel space towards the sealing feature as the turbine engine transitions from a cold state to a hot state. 12. The turbine engine of claim 11, wherein the biasing member is configured to bias the moveable member and associated sealing land axially out of the wheel space and away from the sealing feature as the turbine engine transitions from a hot state to a cold state. 13. The turbine engine of claim 11, wherein the shape memory alloy comprises a Nickel-Titanium alloy.