Multi-piece Turbomachine Blade Mounting Segment Radial Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing turbomachine blade mounting systems require assembly gates, which increase costs, create stress concentrations, and prolong start times due to retention features like lateral hooks that cannot pass radially into slots.
Innovation Solution
A multi-piece turbomachine blade mounting segment configured to insert radially into a slot and expand to secure within the slot, eliminating the need for assembly gates by engaging with retention features such as hooks and ledges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a one-piece mounting segment with lateral hooks is used, then the blade can be retained in the slot, but the lateral hooks cannot pass radially into the slot requiring an assembly gate
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting segment is divided into multiple pieces (first mounting segment, second mounting segment, and intermediate segment) that can be inserted radially into the slot separately. Each segment has retention features that engage with corresponding features in the slot, allowing the blade to be retained without requiring lateral hooks to pass through radially.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention features are designed to engage in a direction perpendicular to the radial insertion direction. The segments are inserted radially, then rotated or moved axially to engage the retention features with ledges or hooks in the slot, changing the dimension of engagement from radial to tangential or axial.
2Ease of manufacture
If an assembly gate is provided in the rotor, then mounting segments can be installed, but costs increase and stress concentrations are created
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting segment is divided into multiple pieces that can be inserted through the uniform slot without requiring an enlarged assembly gate. The segments are assembled within the slot or just outside it, then engaged with retention features, eliminating the need for stress-concentrating assembly gates in the rotor structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate mounting segment acts as a mediator that connects the first and second mounting segments. It includes features that engage with both adjacent segments and with the slot, allowing all segments to be retained without requiring an assembly gate while maintaining structural integrity.
3Ease of manufacture
If an assembly gate is provided in the rotor, then mounting segments can be installed, but turbine start times are prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-piece mounting segments are designed to be inserted radially and engaged with retention features in a streamlined process that eliminates the need for assembly gates. This reduces the time required for blade installation and allows faster turbine startup compared to systems requiring assembly gates.
4Stress or pressure
If a uniform slot is used without assembly gate, then stress concentrations are reduced, but retention features must be redesigned
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting segment is divided into multiple pieces with specific retention features on each. The first mounting segment has a first retention feature, the second has a second retention feature, and the intermediate segment has features to engage both adjacent segments and the slot, allowing complex retention functionality to be distributed across multiple simpler components.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate mounting segment serves multiple functions: it connects the first and second mounting segments, provides retention engagement with the slot, and maintains the structural integrity of the blade assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components or complex single-piece designs.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and cost-effective blade installation without assembly gates, reducing stress concentrations and shortening start times by allowing direct radial insertion and rotation within a uniform slot, enhancing the stability and rigidity of the blade attachment.
Implementation Method 1
the mounting segment has a multi-piece assembly configured to mount in a radial direction into a slot of a turbomachine rotor... configured to insert in a radial direction into a slot of a turbomachine rotor, and then expand in the slot
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system having a turbine blade segment having a blade 22 and a mounting segment 50 coupled to the blade 22, wherein the mounting segment 50 has a multi-piece assembly configured to mount in a radial direction into a slot 52 of a turbomachine rotor 24.