SEALED BAFFLE INSERT IN A COOLED CAVITY OF A GAS TURBINE AIRFOIL

Airfoils (400) for gas turbine engines are described. The airfoils (400) include an airfoil body (402) having a pressure and a suction side wall (406, 404) and an internal rib (414) and defining a cavity (410) between, at least, the pressure side wall, the suction side wall, and the internal rib. A baffle insert (416) is arranged within the cavity (410) and includes a sealing portion arranged adjacent to the internal rib (414) of the airfoil body (402) with a gap (428) therebetween. A seal element (426) is arranged within the cavity and located in the gap (428). The seal element (426) is free to move relative to each of the baffle insert (416) and the airfoil body (402) within the gap (428). When a pressure differential exists across the seal element (426), the seal element will sealingly engage between the sealing portion of the baffle insert (416) and the internal rib (414) of the airfoil body (402) to block a flow through the gap (428).