Self-Biased Lock Lug for Gas Turbine Rotor Blade Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices and apparatuses for retaining rotor blades in a fixed circumferential arrangement within a gas turbine engine are generally single-use, not self-locking, and require tools for locking, limiting their reusability and operational complexity.
Innovation Solution
A lock lug system that includes a body with a dovetail receiving aperture and an engagement mechanism, allowing the lock lug to move between assembly and engaged positions. The engagement mechanism is self-biased to the extended configuration, preventing the dovetail from entering the receiving aperture and ensuring the lock lug can be reused without tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current single-use locking devices are used to retain rotor blades, then the blades can be fixed in position, but the devices cannot be reused after removal
Solution Approach 1:
The lock lug is designed to automatically lock into position through its own structural features (dovetail shape, engagement protrusions) without requiring external tools or services. The self-biased engagement mechanism allows the device to secure itself during installation and release itself during removal, enabling repeated use while maintaining reliable blade retention.
2Reliability
If current locking devices require screws or tools to lock in place, then the blades can be securely retained, but the operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock lug features self-biased engagement mechanisms including spring-loaded protrusions and dovetail geometries that automatically lock the device into position during installation and securely retain the rotor blades during operation. The same mechanisms automatically release during removal without requiring screws, tools, or manual intervention, thereby simplifying operation while maintaining reliable retention.
3Ease of operation
If a self-locking mechanism is implemented, then the device can lock automatically without tools, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock lug is divided into distinct functional segments: the dovetail-shaped body for insertion, engagement protrusions for automatic locking, spring elements for self-biasing, and release features for automatic unlocking. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, achieving self-locking capability while keeping the overall device structure manageable and maintainable.
Data Source
AI summary
A lock lug for inhibiting movement of a plurality of rotor blades includes a body and an engagement mechanism. The body is sized and configured to be received within the rim slot of the rotor disk and defines a dovetail receiving aperture. The engagement mechanism extends from the body and has a retracted configuration configured to allow entry and exit of a dovetail of at least one or more of the plurality of rotor blades into and out of the dovetail receiving aperture and an extended configuration configured to block the dovetail from entering the dovetail receiving aperture.