Apparatus and method for reducing blade flop in steam turbine

Claim 2

In a steam turbine of a type having a rotor with a plurality of generally axially extending grooves disposed therearound, a plurality of blades, each blade having a root at a proximal end thereof in registration with one of the grooves and a shroud disposed at a distal end, the shroud of each blade having a pair of faces that oppose faces of the shrouds of adjacent blades, an apparatus for reducing relative motion between blades comprising a plurality of pins, each pin being resiliently disposed between adjacent shrouds and extending into tangentially oriented holes in the opposing faces of adjacent shrouds, each hole extending completely through each shroud.

Claim 3

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each pin has a diameter such that there is a friction fit between the periphery of each pin and the walls of the holes into which it extends.

Claim 4

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each pin is a self-locking spring pin that urges against the walls of the holes into which it extends.

Claim 5

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the pin is resilient.

Claim 6

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the pin has a leading, chamfered edge.

Claim 7

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the pin is constructed of 12% chrome stainless steel.

Claim 8

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each groove and each root have a generally fir-tree shape.

Claim 9

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each shroud is integral with the blade on which it is disposed.

Claim 10

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the pins reduce blade vibration during turbine operation.

Claim 11

Steam turbine comprising: (a) a rotor having plurality of generally fir-tree shaped, generally axially extending grooves disposed therearound; (b) a plurality of blades circularly disposed around the rotor, each blade having a generally fir-tree shaped root at a proximal end thereof in registration with one of the grooves and a shroud integral with the blade at a distal end thereof, the shroud of each blade having a pair of faces that oppose faces of the shrouds of adjacent blades, there being a hole extending in the tangential direction through each shroud and opening into each face of the shrouds; and (c) a plurality of pins, there being a pin extending resiliently between each pair of adjacent shrouds and into the holes in the shrouds, each pin having a diameter such that there is a friction fit between the periphery of the pin and the walls of the holes into which it extends, the pins reducing relative motion between adjacent blades.

Claim 12

Steam turbine comprising: (a) a rotor having plurality of generally fir-tree shaped, generally axially extending grooves disposed therearound; (b) a plurality of blades circularly disposed around the rotor, each blade having a generally fir-tree shaped root at a proximal end thereof in registration with one of the grooves and a shroud integral with the blade at a distal end thereof, the shroud of each blade having a pair of faces that oppose faces of the shrouds of adjacent blades, there being a hole extending in the tangential direction through each shroud and opening into each face of the shrouds; and (c) a plurality of pins, there being a pin extending resiliently between each pair of adjacent shrouds and into the holes in the shrouds, each pin having a diameter such that there is a friction fit between the periphery of the pin and the walls of the holes into which it extends, the pins reducing relative motion between adjacent blades.

Claim 13

Steam turbine according to claim 10 wherein the pin has a generally C-shaped cross-section and exerts a spring force against walls of the holes.

Claim 14

Steam turbine according to claim 10 wherein the pin is resilient.

Claim 15

Steam turbine according to claim 10 wherein the pin is constructed of 12% chrome stainless steel.

Claim 16

Steam turbine according to claim 10 wherein the pin is a self-locking spring pin.

Claim 17

Steam turbine according to claim 10 wherein the pin has a leading, chamfered edge.

Claim 18

Steam turbine according to claim 10 wherein the pin reduces blade vibration during turbine operation.

Claim 19

In a steam turbine of the type having a plurality of generally fir-tree shaped, generally axially extending grooves disposed therearound, a plurality of blades, each blade having a generally fir-tree shaped root at a proximal end thereof in registration with one of the grooves and a shroud integral with the blade at a distal end thereof, the shroud of each blade having a pair of faces that oppose faces of the shrouds of adjacent blades, a method of assembling the turbine to prevent relative motion between blades comprising the steps of: (a) drilling a tangentially oriented hole through the face of each shroud completely through the shroud; (b) providing a plurality of spring pins; (c) inserting a root in a groove; (d) inserting a root in the next groove in succession; (e) inserting a spring pin through the open end of the hole in the shroud of the blade inserted in step (d) until the spring pin extends into the hole in the shroud of the adjacent blade and resiliently connects the shrouds of both blades. (f) repeating steps (d) and (e) until all blades have been installed in the rotor.

Claim 20

In a steam turbine of the type having a plurality of generally fir-tree shaped, generally axially extending grooves disposed therearound, a plurality of blades, each blade having a generally fir-tree shaped root at a proximal end thereof in registration with one of the grooves and a shroud integral with the blade at a distal end thereof, the shroud of each blade having a pair of faces that oppose faces of the shrouds of adjacent blades, a method of assembling the turbine to prevent relative motion between blades comprising the steps of: (a) drilling a tangentially oriented hole through the face of each shroud completely through the shroud; (b) providing a plurality of spring pins; (c) inserting a root in a groove; (d) inserting a root in the next groove in succession; (e) inserting a spring pin through the open end of the hole in the shroud of the blade inserted in step (d) until the spring pin extends into the hole in the shroud of the adjacent blade and resiliently connects the shrouds of both blades. (f) repeating steps (d) and (e) until all blades have been installed in the rotor.