Gas Turbine Nozzle Guide Support Using Swage-Joined Rivet

The retaining plate is divided into multiple discrete fastening points (rivets or spots) rather than requiring continuous peripheral welding. This segmentation allows the support structure to maintain reliability through distributed attachment while dramatically reducing production time and cost by eliminating the need for extensive welding operations around the entire flange periphery.

The patent replaces thermal joining methods (welding and brazing) with mechanical fastening methods such as riveting or spot welding. This substitution maintains sufficient connection strength for supporting the nozzle guide while significantly reducing production cost and time, as mechanical fastening is faster and more economical than continuous welding or brazing operations.

The continuous peripheral retaining plate structure is segmented into discrete fastening points or reduced-span segments. This segmentation maintains support stability by providing adequate attachment at critical locations while removing excess material that would increase weight, achieving an optimal balance between structural reliability and weight reduction.

Multiple discrete support means are merged into an integrated structure where the retaining plate or support component incorporates multiple fastening points or support functions in a unified design. This merging approach reduces total weight by eliminating redundant separate components while avoiding increased complexity through standardized, repeatable structural motifs that simplify manufacturing and assembly.