Nozzle Insert Rib Cap

Abstract

The present application provides a nozzle assembly for use in a turbine engine. The nozzle assembly may include a first nozzle cavity, a second nozzle cavity, a rib positioned between the first nozzle cavity and the second nozzle cavity, a first cavity insert with a first cavity insert configuration, a second cavity insert with a second cavity insert configuration, and a rib cap positioned on the rib. The rib cap may include a rib cap configuration such that only the first cavity insert with the first cavity insert configuration fits within the first nozzle cavity and only the second cavity insert with the second cavity insert configuration fits within the second nozzle cavity.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A nozzle assembly for use in a turbine engine, comprising:
 a first nozzle cavity;   a second nozzle cavity;   a rib positioned between the first nozzle cavity and the second nozzle cavity;   a first cavity insert with a first cavity insert configuration;   a second cavity insert with a second cavity insert configuration; and   a rib cap positioned on the rib;   wherein the rib cap comprises a rib cap configuration such that only the first cavity insert with the first cavity insert configuration fits within the first nozzle cavity and only the second cavity insert with the second cavity insert configuration fits within the second nozzle cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first nozzle cavity comprises an aft nozzle cavity. 
     
     
         3 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second nozzle cavity comprises a forward nozzle cavity. 
     
     
         4 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first cavity insert comprises a modified aft cavity insert. 
     
     
         5 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second cavity insert comprises a modified forward cavity insert. 
     
     
         6 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of nozzles. 
     
     
         7 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of nozzles comprises a plurality of first nozzle cavities and a plurality of second nozzle cavities. 
     
     
         8 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of first nozzle cavities and the plurality of second nozzle cavities comprise a common configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of nozzles comprises a plurality of first cavity inserts and a plurality of second cavity inserts. 
     
     
         10 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of first cavity inserts comprises a plurality of different first cavity insert configurations and wherein the plurality of second cavity inserts comprises a plurality of different second cavity insert configurations. 
     
     
         11 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the rib cap comprises a cast rib cap. 
     
     
         12 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the rib cap comprises a brazed rib cap or a welded rib cap. 
     
     
         13 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of rib cap configurations. 
     
     
         14 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first cavity insert and the second cavity insert comprise a plurality of perforations. 
     
     
         15 . A method of assembling a nozzle assembly, comprising:
 providing a first nozzle with a first cavity having a first cavity configuration;   providing a second nozzle with a second cavity having the first cavity configuration;   positioning a first rib cap about the first cavity such that only a first cavity insert with a first cavity insert configuration fits therein; and   positioning a second rib cap about the second cavity such that only a second cavity insert with a second cavity insert configuration fits therein.   
     
     
         16 . A nozzle assembly for use in a turbine engine, comprising:
 a plurality of nozzles;   the plurality of nozzles comprising a first nozzle cavity, a second nozzle cavity, and a rib positioned therebetween;   a plurality of first cavity inserts with a plurality of first insert configurations;   a plurality of second cavity inserts with a plurality of second insert configurations; and   a plurality of rib caps with a plurality of rib cap configurations.   
     
     
         17 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of nozzles comprises a plurality of first nozzle cavities with a first common configuration and a plurality of second nozzle cavities with a second common configuration. 
     
     
         18 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of first insert configurations comprises a plurality of first different configurations and wherein the plurality of second insert configurations comprises a plurality of second different configurations. 
     
     
         19 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 16 , wherein only a first rib cap configuration can be used with the plurality of first cavity inserts. 
     
     
         20 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of rib caps comprises a cast rib cap, a brazed rib cap, or a welded rib cap.