Flow control module for a turbomachine

Abstract

A flow control module for a turbomachine includes an inlet extending to an outlet through a flow passage having at least one side wall. A flow control member is arranged within the flow control module. The flow control member is secured to the at least one side wall between the inlet and the outlet. The flow control member is selectively passively activated to extend into the flow passage to block cooling fluid passing through the flow control module.

1 . A flow control module for a turbomachine, the flow control module comprising:
 an inlet extending to an outlet through a flow passage having at least one side wall; and   a flow control member arranged within the cooling module, the flow control member being secured to the at least one side wall between the inlet and the outlet, the flow control member being selectively passively activated to extend into the flow passage to block cooling fluid passing through the flow control module.   
     
     
         2 . The flow control module according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one side wall includes first and second opposing side walls joined by third and fourth opposing side walls, each of the first and second opposing side walls having a curvilinear surface that guides cooling flow into the wheel space. 
     
     
         3 . The flow control module according to  claim 2 , wherein the flow control member is secured to one of the first and second opposing side walls. 
     
     
         4 . The flow control module according to  claim 2 , wherein the third and fourth opposing side walls include a substantially linear surface. 
     
     
         5 . The flow control module according to  claim 4 , wherein the flow control member is secured to one of the third and fourth opposing side walls. 
     
     
         6 . The flow control module according to  claim 5 , wherein the flow control member extends across the one of the third and fourth side walls and connects with each of the first and second side walls. 
     
     
         7 . The flow control module according to  claim 1 , wherein the flow control member is embedded in the at least one side wall. 
     
     
         8 . The flow control module according to  claim 1 , wherein the flow control member comprises a bi-metallic element. 
     
     
         9 . A turbomachine comprising:
 a compressor portion including a compressor discharge;   a turbine portion including a first stage including wheel space portion, a shaft extending through the wheel space portion, a rotor mounted to the shaft, and at least one bucket mounted to the rotor;   a flow control module arranged down stream from the compressor discharge and upstream from the first stage of the turbine, the flow control module including an inlet extending to an outlet through a flow passage having at least one side wall, the inlet being fluidly connected to the compressor discharge and the outlet being fluidly connected to the wheel space portion; and   a flow control member arranged within the flow control module, the flow control member being secured to the at least one side wall between the inlet and the outlet, the flow control member being selectively passively activated to extend into the flow passage to block cooling fluid passing through the cooling module.   
     
     
         10 . The turbomachine according to  claim 9 , wherein the at least one side wall includes first and second opposing side walls joined by third and fourth opposing side walls, each of the first and second opposing side walls having a curvilinear surface that guides cooling flow into the wheel space. 
     
     
         11 . The turbomachine according to  claim 10 , wherein the flow control member is secured to one of the first and second opposing side walls. 
     
     
         12 . The turbomachine according to  claim 10 , wherein the third and fourth opposing side walls include a substantially linear surface. 
     
     
         13 . The turbomachine according to  claim 12 , wherein the flow control member is secured to one of the third and fourth opposing side walls. 
     
     
         14 . The turbomachine according to  claim 13 , wherein the flow control member extends across the one of the third and fourth side walls and connects with each of the first and second side walls. 
     
     
         15 . The turbomachine according to  claim 9 , wherein the flow control member is embedded in the at least one side wall. 
     
     
         16 . The turbomachine according to  claim 9 , wherein the flow control member comprises a bi-metallic element. 
     
     
         17 . A method of passively controlling an air flow passing from a compressor discharge toward a turbine rotor, the method comprising:
 guiding an air flow from a compressor discharge toward a flow control module positioned upstream of a turbine wheel space;   passing the air flow through a flow passage extending through the flow control module; and   collapsing a first side wall forming the flow passage toward a second side wall forming the flow passage to constrict the flow control module based on a characteristic of the air flow.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising: inducing a swirl to the air flow passing through the flow control module. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein collapsing the first side wall based on the characteristic of the air flow comprises collapsing the first side wall based on a temperature of the air flow. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein collapsing the first side wall based on the characteristic of the air flow comprises contracting a portion of a bi-metallic strip mounted in the flow passage.