Gas Turbine Engine Cooling Systems and Methods Incorporating One or More Cover Plate Assemblies Having One or More Apertures Therein

Abstract

Turbine cooling systems and methods are disclosed herein. The turbine cooling system may include a rotor disk having a bucket attached thereto. The bucket may include a shank cavity. The turbine cooling system may also include a cover plate positioned at least partially about the rotor disk and the shank cavity. The cover plate may be configured to separate a first flow of cooling fluid from a second flow of cooling fluid. At least one aperture may be disposed in the cover plate about the shank cavity. The at least one aperture may be configured to provide the first flow of cooling fluid to the shank cavity.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A turbine cooling system, comprising:
 a rotor disk comprising a bucket attached thereto, wherein the bucket comprises a shank cavity;   a cover plate positioned at least partially about the rotor disk and the shank cavity, wherein the cover plate is configured to at least partially separate a first flow of cooling fluid from a second flow of cooling fluid; and   at least one aperture disposed in the cover plate about the shank cavity, wherein the at least one aperture is configured to provide the first flow of cooling fluid to the shank cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The turbine cooling system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one passage formed by the cover plate, wherein the at least one passage is configured to provide the second flow of cooling fluid to an exterior wheel space. 
     
     
         3 . The turbine cooling system of  claim 2 , wherein the first flow of cooling fluid is relatively warmer than the second flow of cooling fluid. 
     
     
         4 . The turbine cooling system of  claim 3 , wherein the first flow of cooling fluid comprises an exterior flow of cooling air, and wherein the second flow of cooling fluid comprises an interior flow of cooling air. 
     
     
         5 . The turbine cooling system of  claim 4 , wherein the first flow of cooling air pressurizes the shank cavity. 
     
     
         6 . The turbine cooling system of  claim 1 , wherein the cover plate comprises a plurality of cover plate segments. 
     
     
         7 . The turbine cooling system of  claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of cover plate segments are positioned about one or more buckets. 
     
     
         8 . The turbine cooling system of  claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of cover plate segments comprise an arcuate shape. 
     
     
         9 . A turbine cooling system, comprising:
 a cover plate configured to at least partially separate a first flow of cooling fluid from a second flow of cooling fluid; and   at least one aperture disposed in the cover plate, wherein the at least one aperture is configured to allow the first flow of cooling fluid to at least partially pass through the cover plate.   
     
     
         10 . The turbine cooling system of  claim 9 , further comprising a bucket comprising a shank cavity, wherein the cover plate is positioned at least partially about the shank cavity. 
     
     
         11 . The turbine cooling system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one aperture is configured to provide the first flow of cooling fluid to the shank cavity. 
     
     
         12 . The turbine cooling system of  claim 10 , further comprising at least one passage formed by the cover plate, wherein the at least one passage is configured to provide the second flow of cooling fluid to an exterior wheel space. 
     
     
         13 . The turbine cooling system of  claim 9 , wherein the first flow of cooling fluid is relatively warmer than the second flow of cooling fluid. 
     
     
         14 . The turbine cooling system of  claim 9 , wherein the first flow of cooling fluid comprises an exterior flow of cooling air in an exterior wheel space, and wherein the second flow of cooling fluid comprises an interior flow of cooling air in an interior wheel space. 
     
     
         15 . The turbine cooling system of  claim 14 , wherein the first flow of cooling air pressurizes the shank cavity. 
     
     
         16 . The turbine cooling system of  claim 9 , wherein the cover plate comprises a plurality of cover plate segments. 
     
     
         17 . The turbine cooling system of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of cover plate segments each extend about one or more buckets. 
     
     
         18 . The turbine cooling system of  claim 16 , wherein each of the plurality of cover plate segments comprise an arcuate shape. 
     
     
         19 . A system, comprising:
 a turbine assembly;   a cover plate associated with the turbine assembly, wherein the cover plate is configured to at least partially separate a first flow of cooling fluid from a second flow of cooling fluid; and   at least one aperture disposed in the cover plate, wherein the at least one aperture is configured to allow the first flow of cooling fluid to at least partially pass through the cover plate.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising at least one passage formed by the cover plate, wherein the at least one passage is configured to provide the second flow of cooling fluid to an exterior wheel space.