Retention system and method for the blades of a rotary machine

Patent · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2002

OSTI ID:874480

Pedersen, Poul D ^[1]; Glynn, Christopher C ^[2]; Walker, Roger C ^[3]

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1. Cincinnati, OH
2. Hamilton, OH
3. Piedmont, SC

A retention system and method for the blades of a rotary machine for preventing forward or aft axial movement of the rotor blades includes a circumferential hub slot formed about a circumference of the machine hub. The rotor blades have machined therein a blade retention slot which is aligned with the circumferential hub slot when the blades are received in correspondingly shaped openings in the hub. At least one ring segment is secured in the blade retention slots and the circumferential hub slot to retain the blades from axial movement. A key assembly is used to secure the ring segments in the aligned slots via a hook portion receiving the ring segments and a threaded portion that is driven radially outwardly by a nut. A cap may be provided to provide a redundant back-up load path for the centrifugal loads on the key. Alternatively, the key assembly may be formed in the blade dovetail.

• Research Organization: General Electric Co., Schenectady, NY (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: FC21-95MC31176
• Assignee: General Electric Company (Schenectady, NY)
• Patent Number(s): US 6398500
• OSTI ID: 874480
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

retention
method
blades
rotary
machine
preventing
forward
axial
movement
rotor
circumferential
hub
slot
formed
circumference
machined
blade
aligned
received
correspondingly
shaped
openings
segment
secured
slots
retain
key
assembly
secure
segments
via
hook
portion
receiving
threaded
driven
radially
outwardly
nut
cap
provided
provide
redundant
back-up
load
path
centrifugal
loads
alternatively
dovetail
axial movement
rotor blade
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