US3832092A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for locking turbomachinery blades
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1973-10-19
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Granted: 1974-08-27
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Expires: 1993-10-19
Abstract
Abstract A blade-locking device, for locking radially projecting blades on a rotor, includes a spacer having a passage therethrough. The passage is accessible by means of an axial separation occurring at one side of the spacer; and the spacer is resiliently deformable to permit spreading of the separation from its undeformed position and returning the separation to its undeformed shape. A locking pin, having enlarged oblong integral ends at opposite extremities thereof, is formed and dimensioned so as to reside within the passage in a friction fit with each of the aforementioned ends projecting beyond the respective spacer extremity. The pin is disposed within the passage by deforming the spacer to enlarge the separation beyond the width necessary to receive the thickness of the pin and placing the pin therein. The pin is rotatable within the passage to a first position wherein one of the ends may pass freely with the spacer through a gap left between a blade tang and rotor slot to be interlocked. In a second position, the ends serve to engage and retain, respectively, the rotor and the blade tang.
Inventors
- 👤 G Manharth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 23:08
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01D; F01D5/00; F01D5/30; F01D5/32; F01D5/323
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
A blade-locking device for locking radially projecting blades on a rotor, each blade having a dovetail tang at its radially inward end and the rotor having dovetail slots extending across its periphery from one axial side of the rotor to the other, each blade being received in a slot with a radial space between the tang and the bottom of the slot, said device comprising: a spacer having a height approximating the radial dimension of said radial space; a locking pin having a length greater than the length of the spacer and also having first and second enlarged integral ends, said first and second ends having generally oblong configurations, said first end having a width no greater than the radial dimension of said radial space and a height greater than said radial dimension, and said second end having a height greater than said radial dimension; and saiD spacer having a passage along its length for receiving said pin, said passage being accessible to said pin by means of a separation in said spacer extending substantially the entire length of said passage, and said pin being rotatable within said passage to change the angular orientation therewith of said first and second ends.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
A blade-locking device for locking radially projecting blades on a rotor, each blade having a dovetail tang at its radially inward end and the rotor having dovetail slots extending across its periphery from one axial side of the rotor to the other, each blade being received in a slot with a radial space between the tang and the bottom of the slot, said device comprising: a spacer having a height approximating the radial dimension of said radial space; a locking pin having a length greater than the length of the spacer and also having first and second enlarged integral ends, said first and second ends having generally oblong configurations, said first end having a width no greater than the radial dimension of said radial space and a height greater than said radial dimension, and said second end having a height greater than said radial dimension; and saiD spacer having a passage along its length for receiving said pin, said passage being accessible to said pin by means of a separation in said spacer extending substantially the entire length of said passage, and said pin being rotatable within said passage to change the angular orientation therewith of said first and second ends.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said spacer includes resiliently deformable material facilitating spreading of said separation for easy entry of said pin, and permitting elastic return of said separation to its undeformed position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said separation, in its undeformed position, has a width smaller than the thickness of a portion of said pin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said spacer is generally U-shaped in the cross section, and said pin is generally cylindrical.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
The device of claim 1 wherein, when said pin is disposed within said passage and said spacer is disposed within said spacer, said pin is adapted to be rotated from a first position wherein said height of said first end is generally perpendicular to said radial dimension of said space, to a second position wherein said height of said first end is generally parallel to said radial dimension of said space.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said first end engages said rotor in said second position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device of claim 6 wherein said second end has its height generally parallel to the height of said first end, but extending in the generally opposite direction so that, when said pin is in said second position, said second end engages said tang.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said first and second ends of said pin extend axially beyond said spacer when said pin is disposed within said passage; and said device further comprises securing means for preventing axial relative movement between said pin and said passage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device of claim 8 wherein said pin and said passage mate in a friction fit to prevent undesired relative angular movement; and wherein said securing means comprises first and second abutting shoulders associated respectively with said pin and said passage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said spacer includes positioning means for defining and maintaining angular orientation of said spacer when disposed within said radial space, and seal means for preventing undesired leakage through said radial space.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 10 wherein said positioning and seal means includes an upstanding rib carried by said spacer, said rib adapted to engage a detent formed between said tang and said slot.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said spacer comprises: first and second lateral segments, each segment formed to a predetermined length; and a resiliently deformable spring member for receiving and retaining said lateral segments in opposed, spaced relationship separated from one another by a predetermined gap, said gap defining said passage and partially defining said separation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 12 wherein said spring member is generally U-shaped and retains said lateral segments one to each side of the ''''U,'''' and wherein the open end of said spring member further defines said separation.
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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) | 1977-08-26 | 1978-02-25 | 1978-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-26 | 1982-02-25 | 1982-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-26 | 1986-02-25 | 1986-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |