Turbomachine Rotor Disk Lock With Truncated Upper Portion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing axial turbomachine blade locks are difficult to compact and lighten due to minimum screw diameter requirements, making it challenging to reduce the size of circumferential grooves and the locks themselves, which hinders the reduction of turbomachine weight and length.
Innovation Solution
A lock design with a truncated upper portion that reduces its length along the groove width, allowing for a more compact size while maintaining the wedging function and visual assembly verification, featuring a threaded orifice for screw engagement and wedging surfaces for secure blade retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the width of the circumferential groove is reduced to lighten and shorten the turbomachine wheel, then the weight and length of the wheel are reduced, but the existing locks cannot be inserted into the grooves due to minimum screw diameter requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The lock body is divided into two distinct portions: a reduced-width upper portion that fits within the narrowed groove, and a lower portion containing the screw engagement features. This segmentation allows the lock to adapt to the reduced groove width while maintaining the necessary screw diameter for secure fastening.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock body transitions from a uniform cross-section to a variable cross-section along its length, with the upper portion having a smaller width than the lower portion. This dimensional variation enables the lock to fit the reduced groove width at the top while maintaining full screw diameter at the bottom for proper fastening.
2Length of moving object
If the lock size is reduced to fit narrower grooves, then the groove width requirement is met, but the screw diameter must be reduced which compromises mechanical strength and safety
Solution Approach 1:
The lock body is segmented into an upper portion with reduced width for groove compatibility and a lower portion with full width for screw engagement. This segmentation allows the screw diameter to be maintained at the necessary minimum for strength and safety, while the upper portion adapts to the narrowed groove dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the lock body have different width characteristics: the upper portion has a reduced width to fit the narrow groove, while the lower portion maintains the full width required for the minimum screw diameter. This local variation in geometry allows both constraints to be satisfied simultaneously.
3Length of moving object
If the upper portion of the lock body is truncated to reduce its length along the groove width, then the lock becomes more compact and fits narrower grooves, but the visual verification of correct positioning becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The upper portion of the lock body is truncated to create a distinct visual feature that indicates correct positioning. The truncated edge provides a clear visual reference that can be observed through the groove, allowing verification of proper installation without requiring the full original length of the lock body.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
The lock has a main portion (32) that is provided with two opposed bearing surfaces (40) which are designed to bear radially onto the opposite hollow surfaces of a groove. A through hole (34) is located between the two bearing surfaces which are extended along an axis and designed to house a clamping screw. A cylindrical upper portion (36) is pierced by the hole. The upper portion is truncated to allow a reduction in length in a plane generally perpendicular to the axis of the hole. An independent claim is included for an axial turbo-machine wheel.