Retaining ring for a turbine nozzle with improved thermal isolation

Abstract

A retaining ring for a turbine nozzle of a gas turbine is disclosed. The retaining ring includes a main body and a pair of circumferential retaining lands projecting inward radially from the main body. The pair of circumferential retaining lands may be configured to be attached to a nozzle. Additionally, each retaining land of the pair of circumferential retaining lands may be segmented along its circumferential length.

1 . An outer sidewall retention scheme for a turbine nozzle of a gas turbine, the outer sidewall retention scheme comprising:
 a circumferential retaining ring, said retaining ring including a main body and a pair of circumferential retaining lands projecting inward radially from said main body, wherein each retaining land of said pair of circumferential retaining lands is segmented along its circumferential length;   at least one nozzle including an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall; and   wherein said pair of circumferential retaining lands is configured to be attached to said outer sidewall so as to support said at least one nozzle.   
     
     
         2 . The outer sidewall retention scheme of  claim 1 , wherein said pair of circumferential retaining lands comprises a forward retaining land and an aft retaining land. 
     
     
         3 . The outer sidewall retention scheme of  claim 2 , comprising a plurality of radially oriented cooling holes formed in said main body, said plurality of cooling holes interrupting said forward retaining land so as to create circumferential segments in said forward retaining land. 
     
     
         4 . The outer sidewall retention scheme of  claim 3 , wherein said plurality of cooling holes are formed in said main body such that a centerline of each of said plurality of cooling holes is substantially aligned with a circumferential centerline of said forward retaining land. 
     
     
         5 . The outer sidewall retention scheme of  claim 3 , wherein each of said plurality of cooling holes is circular and has a diameter ranging from about 5 cm to about 6.5 cm. 
     
     
         6 . The outer sidewall retention scheme of  claim 2 , comprising a plurality of openings formed in said aft retaining land, wherein said plurality of openings interrupt said aft retaining land so as to create circumferential segments in said aft retaining land. 
     
     
         7 . The outer sidewall retention scheme of  claim 6 , wherein said plurality of openings have an arcuate shape. 
     
     
         8 . The outer sidewall retention scheme of  claim 7 , wherein each of said plurality of openings has a radius of about 2.5 cm. 
     
     
         9 . The outer sidewall retention scheme of  claim 1 , wherein said outer sidewall comprises a first lug and a second lug, said first lug and said second lug being adapted to fit within a circumferential annular groove defined between said pair of circumferential retaining lands. 
     
     
         10 . The outer sidewall retention scheme of  claim 9 , comprising a first retaining pin and a second retaining pin, said first retaining pin for attaching said first lug within said circumferential annular groove to said pair of circumferential retaining lands, said second retaining pin for attaching said second lug within said circumferential annular groove to said pair of circumferential retaining lands. 
     
     
         11 . The outer sidewall retention scheme of  claim 1 , comprising a chordal hinge rail and chordal hinge seal on said outer sidewall of said at least one nozzle and a chordal hinge rail and chordal hinge seal on said inner sidewall of said at least one nozzle. 
     
     
         12 . A retaining ring for a turbine nozzle of a gas turbine, the retaining ring comprising:
 a main body having a generally cylindrical shape;   a pair of circumferential retaining lands projecting inward radially from said main body, said pair of circumferential retaining lands configured to be attached to at least one nozzle of a gas turbine; and   wherein each retaining land of said pair of circumferential retaining lands is segmented along its circumferential length.   
     
     
         13 . The retaining ring of  claim 12 , wherein said pair of circumferential retaining lands comprises a forward retaining land and an aft retaining land. 
     
     
         14 . The retaining ring of  claim 13 , comprising a plurality of cooling holes formed in said main body, said plurality of cooling holes interrupting said forward retaining land so as to create circumferential segments in said forward retaining land. 
     
     
         15 . The retaining ring of  claim 14 , wherein said plurality of cooling holes are formed in said main body such that a centerline of each of said plurality of cooling holes is substantially aligned with a circumferential centerline of said forward retaining land. 
     
     
         16 . The retaining ring of  claim 14 , wherein each of said plurality of cooling holes is circular and has a diameter ranging from about 5 cm to about 6.5 cm. 
     
     
         17 . The retaining ring of  claim 13 , comprising a plurality of openings formed in said aft retaining land, wherein said plurality of openings interrupt said aft retaining land so as to create circumferential segments in said aft retaining land. 
     
     
         18 . The retaining ring of  claim 17 , wherein said plurality of openings have an arcuate shape. 
     
     
         19 . The retaining ring of  claim 18 , wherein each of said plurality of openings has a radius of about 2.5 cm.