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US5445498A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Bucket for next-to-the-last stage of a turbine

Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1994-06-10
•
Granted: 1995-08-29
•
Expires: 2014-06-10
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Abstract

Abstract A next-to-the-last stage steam turbine bucket has a profile according to the table set forth in the specification. The buckets also include continuous couplings at the bucket mid-point including nubs on each bucket projecting from opposite sides thereof in generally circumferentially extending directions. A sleeve is disposed between each pair of adjacent buckets and has open opposite ends for receiving the nubs of the adjacent buckets. The cross-sections of the nubs and open ends of the sleeve are generally complementary and non-circular to prevent sleeve rotation during turbine operation. The buckets have a continuous cover including cover elements having tenons projecting from opposite sides for reception in corresponding openings in the tips of adjacent buckets.

Inventors

  • 👤 John C. Williams
  • 👤 Stephen G. Ruggles

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 08:55
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01D; F01D5/00; F01D5/12; F01D5/22; F01D5/14; F01D5/141; F05; F05D; F05D2240/00; F05D2240/20; F05D2240/30; F05D2240/301

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim 21 words
A bucket for a steam turbine having a profile in accordance with Table I inclusive as set forth in the specification.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 21 words
A bucket for a steam turbine having a profile in accordance with Table I inclusive as set forth in the specification.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 38 words
A plurality of buckets, each constructed in accordance with claim 1, and spaced circumferentially about an axis of a turbine wheel, said buckets having tips, and covers continuously coupling said tips one to the other about said axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 56 words
A plurality of buckets according to claim 2 wherein each said cover includes a first tenon projecting toward an admission side of the turbine wheel and a tenon projecting toward the discharge side of the turbine wheel, the tips of adjacent buckets having openings for receiving the tenons for coupling the tips one to the other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 59 words
A plurality of buckets according to claim 3 wherein each tenon on a bucket admission side is peened over to provide a rigid connection with an adjoining bucket tip and the tenon on a bucket discharge side has an opening in its end enabling the tenon to be flared, affording a loose connection between the cover and adjoining bucket.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 26 words
A plurality of buckets according to claim 3 including a continuous sealing rib extending radially outwardly on the surface of each bucket tip and said cover.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 68 words
A plurality of buckets, each constructed in accordance with claim 1, and spaced circumferentially about an axis of a turbine wheel, said buckets having intermediate portions, each intermediate portion of each bucket including a nub projecting in a generally circumferential direction toward an adjacent bucket, a sleeve open at opposite ends receiving the nubs of adjacent buckets affording a continuous coupling at the intermediate portions of the buckets.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 50 words
A plurality of buckets according to claim 6 wherein each sleeve has an axis, the ends of the sleeves being formed at an angle to the axis other than 90° to permit the sleeves to rock as the relative positions of the adjacent nubs change during operation of the turbine.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 31 words
A plurality of buckets according to claim 6 wherein each nub has a non-circular cross-section and the sleeve has a generally corresponding non-circular cross-section to preclude sleeve rotation during turbine operation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 28 words
A plurality of buckets according to claim 6 wherein the buckets have tips and means for continuously coupling said tips one to the other about the turbine axis.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US5299915A Cited
US5286169A Cited
US5267834A Cited
US5326221A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1998-08-28 1999-02-27 1999-08-29 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2002-08-28 2003-02-27 2003-08-29 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2006-08-28 2007-02-27 2007-08-29 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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