System for locking the blades in position on the stator case of an axial compressor

Claim 1

In an axial compressor having blades and a semi-cylindrical stator case with circumferential dovetailed guides on the interior thereof for receiving the feet of the blades until such guides are filled, means for locking the blades in position, comprising: blades wherein each blade has a foot with lateral edges which rest on the guides, and a back which is curved transversely in the same direction as the curvature of the semi-cylindrical case so as to form therewith an interspace that is symmetrical about the central longitudinal region of said back and which progressively narrows until it reaches a minimum thickness at said cenral region, curved springs wherein each spring is located in the interspace between a foot and the case and has approximately the same width as the back of a foot, and a curvature opposite and approximately equal to that of said semi-cylindrical case for biasing the blade radially inward by exerting a pressure along the central region of the back of the foot, thereby thrusting said blade against the guide and locking the blade in position, and wherein each spring has a lip bent in the opposite direction to said curvature for assembly and disassembly of the blades.