General Electric Company
VARIABLE NOZZLES IN TURBINE ENGINES AND METHODS RELATED THERETO

Abstract:

A method for constructing a variable nozzle assembly within a turbine engine that includes: constructing a variable nozzle sub-assembly; attaching the variable nozzle sub-assembly to a casing; and linking segments of a segmented shaft via an opening. Constructing the variable nozzle sub-assembly may include: attaching a downstream inner platform to a upstream inner platform; inserting an outer stem of a first segment through an outer stem opening formed through the downstream outer platform; connecting the first segment to the downstream outer platform by loading a first bearing about a protruding spherical shaped section of the outer stem; inserting the inner stem through an opening formed through the downstream inner platform while aligning sidewalls of the downstream and upstream outer platforms; mechanically securing the aligned sidewalls; and connecting the first segment to the downstream inner platform by loading a second bearing about a protruding spherical shaped section of the inner stem.