Blade cooling

Abstract

In order to couple coolant air flow presented through a coolant gallery 4, 24 through an opening 7, 27 into a passage 8, 28 a flow deflector 6, 26 is provided. The flow deflector 6, 26 progressively deflects the coolant air flow 5, 25 through the opening 7, 27 such that there is reduced loss in coolant flow 5, 25 pressure.

1 . A blade cooling arrangement comprising a mounting hub having a radially outer end and a blade root with a blade extending in use radially from said blade root and a coolant passage extending radially in use along said blade, said blade root and mounting hub having a coolant gallery formed between said hub and said root and including at least one coolant passage opening and a flow deflector associated with that passage opening to deflect coolant flow through the coolant gallery towards the passage opening wherein the flow deflector is positioned in the coolant gallery and extends from one side across said coolant gallery and engages the opposite side of said coolant gallery, said opposite side of said coolant gallery comprising a portion of said outer end of said mounting hub. 
   
   
       2 . A flow deflector arrangement for a turbine blade, the arrangement comprising a mounting hub and a blade root having a coolant gallery formed therebetween with opposite sides, and a flow deflector positioned adjacent a coolant passage opening in said coolant gallery located on one of said sides of said coolant gallery, the deflector associated with said coolant passage opening to deflect coolant flow in the gallery towards the passage opening extending from one side of said coolant passage opening at an angular inclination to and engaging the opposite side of said coolant gallery whereby such deflection is progressive in order to limit coolant flow pressure loss upon passage through the coolant passage opening. 
   
   
       3 . An arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the flow deflector has a curved surface to progressively deflect the coolant flow towards the passage opening. 
   
   
       4 . An arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the flow deflector is a ramp or wedge to lift coolant flow towards the passage opening to achieve progressive deflection of the coolant flow towards that passage opening. 
   
   
       5 . (canceled) 
   
   
       6 . An arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the flow deflector extends upwardly from the mounting hub towards the passage opening. 
   
   
       7 . An arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the flow deflector extends downwardly from the blade root away from the passage opening. 
   
   
       8 . An arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the flow deflector is adjustable dependent upon specific requirements. 
   
   
       9 . An arrangement as claimed in  claim 8  wherein adjustment of the flow deflector is by variation in material dimensions as a result of one of differential expansion and contraction relative to one of the mounting hub and the blade root. 
   
   
       10 . (canceled)