Patent attributes
Vane impingement tubes having blockage deterrent features are provided, as turbine nozzles containing blockage-resistant vane impingement tubes. In an embodiment, the turbine nozzle includes inner and outer annular endwalls, and turbine nozzle vanes arranged in an annular array between the outer and inner annular endwalls. Vane impingement tubes are inserted into the turbine nozzle vanes. The vane impingement tubes each includes a tube body, an impingement outlet formed in the tube body and configured to discharge airflow for impingement against one of the turbine nozzle vanes, a first flow-turning feature located in the tube body, and an inlet formed in the tube body and configured receive cooling airflow in a substantially radial direction. The first flow-turning feature is shaped and positioned to turn the airflow received through the inlet in a substantially axial direction, which is perpendicular to the radial direction, prior to discharge through the impingement outlet.