US3734646A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Blade fastening means
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1972-02-02
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Granted: 1973-05-22
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Expires: 1992-02-02
Abstract
Abstract Blade fastening means are provided for securing airfoil blades around the periphery of a rotating member wherein the blades include contiguous stiffening or vibration dampening means which cooperate to form a shroud intermediate the ends of the blades. Each individual blade member may be removed or inserted without interference with the contiguous airfoil stiffening or vibration dampening means of the adjacent blade member and without the interposition of an individual spacer element between the blade root and groove.
Inventors
- 👤 A Perkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 00:03
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01D; F01D5/00; F01D5/30; F01D5/32; F01D5/326; F01D5/3007; F01D5/3015
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
348 words
Blade fastening and locking means for a turbomachine comprising: a rotating member having a plurality of axial grooves disposed about the outer periphery thereof wherein the grooves include opposing sidewalls diverging radially inward; a plurality of blade members having root and airfoil portions, the root portions being received in the grooves and shaped to abut the groove sidewalls for retention in the grooves, there being clearance between the root portions and grooves to allow radial movement therein; a blade member stiffening means projecting laterally from the opposite surfaces of the airfoil portions, with opposing stiffening means contiguously forming a shroud ring along lines of abutment directed at an angle to the axis of the grooves; a retaining ring means with an outer peripheral edge wherein the ring means is stationed in fixed relation relative to a radial surface of the rotating member so as to overlap one end of the grooves to provide restraint against axial translation of the blade root portions in one direction; flange means extending radially inward from the bottom surface of the blade root for engagement with the bottom wall of the groove so as to inhibit radial movement of one end of the blade root; lip means longitudinally extending from the other end of the blade root for engagement with the outer periphery of the retaining ring means to inhibit radial movement of the blade root at this end; and locking means to provide restraint against axial translation of the blade root portions in the opposing direction wherein the clearance between the root portions and grooves is substantially equal to the radial extent of the shroud ring, and any one of the blade members may be translated a limited axial distance by slightly twisting the airfoil so as to allow engagement or disengagement of the radial flange and longitudinal lip with the bottom wall of the groove and the outer periphery of the retaining ring respectively, further permitting the blade members to be moved radially and removed from or inserted into their associated grooves individually and without interference from adjacent member stiffening means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
348 words
Blade fastening and locking means for a turbomachine comprising: a rotating member having a plurality of axial grooves disposed about the outer periphery thereof wherein the grooves include opposing sidewalls diverging radially inward; a plurality of blade members having root and airfoil portions, the root portions being received in the grooves and shaped to abut the groove sidewalls for retention in the grooves, there being clearance between the root portions and grooves to allow radial movement therein; a blade member stiffening means projecting laterally from the opposite surfaces of the airfoil portions, with opposing stiffening means contiguously forming a shroud ring along lines of abutment directed at an angle to the axis of the grooves; a retaining ring means with an outer peripheral edge wherein the ring means is stationed in fixed relation relative to a radial surface of the rotating member so as to overlap one end of the grooves to provide restraint against axial translation of the blade root portions in one direction; flange means extending radially inward from the bottom surface of the blade root for engagement with the bottom wall of the groove so as to inhibit radial movement of one end of the blade root; lip means longitudinally extending from the other end of the blade root for engagement with the outer periphery of the retaining ring means to inhibit radial movement of the blade root at this end; and locking means to provide restraint against axial translation of the blade root portions in the opposing direction wherein the clearance between the root portions and grooves is substantially equal to the radial extent of the shroud ring, and any one of the blade members may be translated a limited axial distance by slightly twisting the airfoil so as to allow engagement or disengagement of the radial flange and longitudinal lip with the bottom wall of the groove and the outer periphery of the retaining ring respectively, further permitting the blade members to be moved radially and removed from or inserted into their associated grooves individually and without interference from adjacent member stiffening means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
The blade fastening means of claim 1 wherein: the rotating member includes a rotor wheel disk having an enlarged rim portion around the outer periphery thereof, through which the blade receiving grooves extend, and the outer periphery of the retaining ring is circumferentially notched for axial and radial engagement with the edge of the longitudinally extending lip means of each blade.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
The blade fastening means of claim 2 wherein: one side of the wheel rim includes an inwardly directed radial flange to which the retaining ring means is fixedly connected by means of a plurality of circumferentially spaced bolts extending therethrough and the locking means includes a snap ring for insertion within a plurality of circumferentially spaced hooks which extend from the radial surface of the wheel rim.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
311 words
In an axial flow turbomachine assembly having a rotating member with a plurality of axial grooves disposed about the outer periphery thereof wherein the grooves include opposing sidewalls diverging radially inward; a plurality of blade members having root and airfoil portions, the root portions being received in the grooves and shaped tO abut the groove sidewalls for retention in the grooves with clearance between the root portions and grooves to allow radial movement therein; and blade stiffening means projecting laterally from opposite surfaces of the airfoil partitions, with opposing stiffening means contiguously forming a shroud ring along lines of abutment directed at an angle to the axis of the grooves wherein blade fastening and locking means comprise: a retaining ring means with an outside peripheral edge wherein the ring is stationed in fixed relation relative to a radial surface of the rotating member so as to overlap one end of the grooves to provide restraint against axial translation of the blade root portions in one direction; flange means extending radially inward from the bottom surface of each blade root for engagement with the bottom wall of the groove so as to inhibit radial movement of one end of the blade root, lip means longitudinally extending from the other end of the blade root for engagement with the outer periphery of the retaining ring to inhibit radial movement of the blade root at this end wherein any one of the blade members may be translated a limited axial distance by slightly twisting the airfoil so as to allow engagement or disengagement of the radial flange and longitudinal lip with the bottom wall of the groove and the outer periphery of the retaining ring means respectively further permitting the blade members to be moved radially and removed from or inserted into their associated grooves individually and without interference from adjacent member stiffening means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
311 words
In an axial flow turbomachine assembly having a rotating member with a plurality of axial grooves disposed about the outer periphery thereof wherein the grooves include opposing sidewalls diverging radially inward; a plurality of blade members having root and airfoil portions, the root portions being received in the grooves and shaped tO abut the groove sidewalls for retention in the grooves with clearance between the root portions and grooves to allow radial movement therein; and blade stiffening means projecting laterally from opposite surfaces of the airfoil partitions, with opposing stiffening means contiguously forming a shroud ring along lines of abutment directed at an angle to the axis of the grooves wherein blade fastening and locking means comprise: a retaining ring means with an outside peripheral edge wherein the ring is stationed in fixed relation relative to a radial surface of the rotating member so as to overlap one end of the grooves to provide restraint against axial translation of the blade root portions in one direction; flange means extending radially inward from the bottom surface of each blade root for engagement with the bottom wall of the groove so as to inhibit radial movement of one end of the blade root, lip means longitudinally extending from the other end of the blade root for engagement with the outer periphery of the retaining ring to inhibit radial movement of the blade root at this end wherein any one of the blade members may be translated a limited axial distance by slightly twisting the airfoil so as to allow engagement or disengagement of the radial flange and longitudinal lip with the bottom wall of the groove and the outer periphery of the retaining ring means respectively further permitting the blade members to be moved radially and removed from or inserted into their associated grooves individually and without interference from adjacent member stiffening means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
The blade fastening means of claim 4 wherein: the rotating member includes a rotor wheel disk having an enlarged rim portion around the outer periphery thereof, through which the blade receiving grooves extend, and the outer periphery of the retaining ring is circumferentially notched for axial and radial engagement with the edge of the longitudinally extending lip means of each blade.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
The blade fastening means of claim 5 wherein: one side of the wheel rim includes an inwardly directed radial flange to which the retaining ring means is fixedly connected by means of a plurality of circumferentially spaced bolts extending therethrough, and the other side of the wheel rim includes a locking means to provide restraint against axial translation of the blade root portions in the opposing direction.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-21 | 1976-11-20 | 1977-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-21 | 1980-11-20 | 1981-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-21 | 1984-11-20 | 1985-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |