Turbomachine Blade Locking via Deformable Inserts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Turbomachine rotors are repeatedly deformed during blade attachment and replacement, leading to difficulties in securing new blades due to deformation from staking or welding processes.
Innovation Solution
A blade locking assembly that uses deformable inserts instead of the rotor to secure blades, preventing axial movement and allowing for easy replacement by severing and discarding the deformed inserts, thus avoiding rotor deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If blades are staked or welded directly to the rotor, then the blade attachment is secure, but the rotor is deformed during each blade replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into separate components: a locking insert with a blind hole, a radial pin, and a retaining strip. These segmented elements work together to secure the blade without requiring deformation of the rotor itself, thereby maintaining rotor shape integrity while achieving secure blade attachment
Solution Approach 2:
The locking insert acts as an intermediary element between the blade and the rotor. Instead of directly staking or welding the blade to the rotor, the locking insert mediates the connection, providing a deformable component that secures the blade while preserving the rotor's structural integrity
2Adaptability or versatility
If the rotor is repeatedly deformed during blade replacement, then new blades can be attached, but the rotor eventually becomes difficult to work with
Solution Approach 1:
The locking insert is designed as a disposable component that can be easily removed and replaced. Instead of repeatedly deforming the expensive rotor, the inexpensive locking insert is discarded and replaced with a new one for each blade replacement, maintaining ease of operation throughout the rotor's service life
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be discarded (the locking insert is removed and discarded) rather than recovered by repeatedly deforming the rotor. This allows for easy blade replacement while preserving the rotor's condition for future operations
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems are disclosed herein for enhancing the longevity of turbomachine (10) components. Such systems include a turbomachine blade (50) that has a blade portion (60) extending from a base portion (54). The base portion (54) includes an axial rail (62) configured to extend into an axial groove (64) disposed in a rotor (52) of a turbomachine (10). The axial rail (62) includes a first locking recess (71) configured to align with a second locking recess (73) along the axial groove (64). The system also includes a blade locking assembly (58) having a first locking insert (74) and a second locking insert (78). The first locking insert (74) is configured to be inserted in both the first (71) and second (73) locking recesses. The second locking insert (78) is configured to be inserted in the first (71) or second (73) locking recess adjacent the first locking insert (74).