Exhaust frame strut with cooling fins

Abstract

A system is provided including a turbine exhaust section. The turbine exhaust section includes an exhaust flow path. The turbine exhaust section also includes an outer structure having an outer casing and an outer exhaust wall disposed along the exhaust flow path. An inner structure of the turbine exhaust section includes an inner exhaust wall disposed along the exhaust flow path. A strut extends between the outer structure and the inner structure, and the strut is configured to convey a flow of fluid from the inner structure toward the outer structure. The strut includes a plurality of cooling fins to facilitate heat transfer from the strut to the flow of fluid.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A strut for an exhaust section, comprising:
 an inner body that is load bearing, the inner body being configured to extend between an outer structure and an inner structure of the exhaust section, the inner body including a main portion and a plurality of cooling fins extending from the main portion; and   an outer body configured to extend between the outer structure and the inner structure of the exhaust section, the inner body being disposed in an interior portion of the outer body such that a space is disposed between the main portion of the inner body and the outer body,   wherein the space forms an airflow passageway configured to convey a flow of fluid toward the outer structure, and   wherein the plurality of cooling fins extend into the airflow passageway and are configured to facilitate heat transfer from the inner body to the flow of fluid.   
     
     
         2 . The strut according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer both has an inner surface which faces the inner body, and the inner surface has a coating with low thermal conductivity. 
     
     
         3 . The strut according to  claim 1 , further comprising an insulating material disposed between the outer body and the main portion of the inner body. 
     
     
         4 . The strut according to  claim 3 , wherein the insulating material contacts tip portions of the plurality of cooling fins such that the flow of fluid can pass along channels formed between adjacent cooling fins. 
     
     
         5 . The strut according to  claim 3 , wherein a first portion of the plurality of cooling, fins protrude further from the main portion of the inner body than a second portion of the plurality of cooling fins. 
     
     
         6 . The strut according to  claim 5 , wherein the insulating material contacts tip portions of the first portion of the plurality of cooling fins such that the flow of fluid can pass between the insulating material and the second portion of the plurality of cooling fins. 
     
     
         7 . The strut according to  claim 1 , wherein each cooling fin of the plurality of cooling fins forms an elongate member extending in an axial direction of the exhaust section. 
     
     
         8 . The strut according to  claim 1 , wherein each cooling fin of the plurality of cooling fins loans an elongate member extending in a radial direction of the exhaust section. 
     
     
         9 . The strut according to  claim 8 , wherein a distance that the plurality of cooling fins extend from the main portion of the inner body varies along the radial direction. 
     
     
         10 . The strut according to  claim 1 , wherein a distance between adjacent fins of the plurality of cooling fins varies over the main portion of the inner body. 
     
     
         11 . A system for a gas turbine, comprising:
 a turbine exhaust section, including:
 an exhaust flow path; 
 an outer structure including an outer casing and an outer exhaust wall disposed along the exhaust flow path; 
 an inner structure including an inner exhaust wall disposed along the exhaust flow path; 
 a strut extending between the outer structure and the inner structure, the strut being configured to convey a flow of fluid from the inner structure toward the outer structure, 
 wherein the strut includes a plurality of cooling fins disposed thereon to facilitate heat transfer from the strut to the flow of fluid. 
   
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the strut includes an inner body that is load bearing and an outer body that is not load bearing. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the inner body includes a main portion, and the plurality of cooling fins extend from the main portion. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein the inner body is disposed in an interior portion of the outer body such that a space is disposed between the main portion of the inner body and the outer body. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein the space forms an airflow passageway configured to convey the flow of fluid toward the outer structure. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of cooling fins extend into the airflow passageway. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 13 , further comprising an insulating material disposed between the outer body and die main portion of the inner body. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the outer body has an inner surface which faces the inner body, and the inner surface has a coating with low thermal conductivity. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein each cooling fin of the plurality of cooling fins forms an elongate member extending in an axial direction or a radial direction of the turbine exhaust section. 
     
     
         20 . A gas turbine, comprising:
 a compressor;   a combustor section;   a turbine section; and   the system of  claim 11 .