Turbomachine Rotor Blade Cooling Channel Segmentation

The cooling channel inlet is segmented into multiple inlet channel sections (first, second, and third inlet channel sections) that are distributed along the axial direction. This segmentation allows the cooling medium to enter at multiple locations, improving cooling effectiveness while distributing the structural weakening effect across multiple smaller openings rather than one large opening.

The material web thickness is varied locally to optimize both cooling and strength. The material web has different thicknesses in different regions: a first thickness between the first and second inlet channel sections, and a second thickness between the second and third inlet channel sections. This local variation allows the structure to be stronger where needed while maintaining adequate cooling channels where required.

The cooling channel inlet structure extends into the axial dimension by arranging inlet channel sections at different axial positions. Instead of a single radial inlet, the design uses multiple inlet channel sections distributed along the axial direction, with material webs connecting them. This transforms a two-dimensional radial inlet problem into a three-dimensional structure that maintains radial cooling supply while gaining axial strength distribution.

The blade root structure incorporates a composite arrangement of cooling channels and material webs, creating a composite structure that combines the cooling function with structural reinforcement. The material webs act as structural elements that compensate for the strength loss from the cooling channels, creating a composite system that achieves both cooling and strength requirements.