# US 5,350,278 A · Joining means for rotor discs

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- Number: US 5,350,278 A
- Document ID: US5350278A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/085,991
- Filed: 1993-06-28
- Granted: 1994-09-27
- Earliest claimed: 1993-06-28
- Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
- Inventors: Joseph C. Burge
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5350278A

## CPC

- F01D 5/066: {Connecting means for joining rotor-discs or rotor-elements together, e.g. by a central bolt, by clamps}
- F01D: NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES (machines or engines for liquids F03; non-positive displacement pumps F04D)

## Abstract

In an assembly of spaced rotor discs, mounted to rotate about a common axis, one or more discs are provided that are removably joined to the other discs but so joined, away from potential fatigue points in the disc webs. Thus a pair of discs have a spacer arm extending therebetween in contact therewith. Further, each disc of such pair, has a flange that extends between the discs toward the flange of the other disc, which flanges (and thus the discs) are removably bolted together at a junction removed from the disc webs for greater disc durability and lower replacement costs thereof. The so joined flanges and spacer arm (which is held in a piloted joint under compressive pre-load) define an annular cavity around a pair of the discs and thus redundant structural support therebetween.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An assembly of rotor discs at least one of which is removably mounted to another of said discs, away from potential fatigue points in said discs comprising:
a) at least a pair of spaced joinable discs positioned to rotate about a common axis,
b) a spacer arm extending between said discs in contact therewith, said spacer arm contacting a piloted joint in one of said discs under axial compression,
c) each disc having a flange which extends between said discs toward the flange of said other disc and
d) securing means to removably join said flanges under axial tension in a pre-loaded redundant support junction to also join said discs at a junction removed from said discs.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1 wherein the so joined flanges define a cylinder, which cylinder has vent holes therein.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The assembly of claim 2 wherein said spacer arm slants between said discs and relative to the so joined flanges and defines with said flanges, an annular cavity between said discs.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1 wherein each of said two discs are already joined to one or more other discs.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1 wherein said securing means are bolts or studs through bolt holes.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1 wherein said flanges have edges which are scalloped.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1 wherein said discs have rotor blades thereon.

### Claim 8

A joining means for removable rotor discs located away from potential fatigue points in said discs wherein at least a pair of spaced joinable discs are positioned to rotate about a common axis, said joining means comprising:
a) a spacer arm extending between said discs in contact therewith, said spacer arm contacting a piloted joint in one of said discs under axial compression,
b) each disc having a flange spaced from the spacer arm, which flange extends between said discs toward the flange of said other disc and
c) securing means to removably join said flanges under axial tension in a pre-loaded redundant support junction to thus remotely join said discs.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The joining means of claim 8 wherein said flanges thus joined, define a cylinder, which cylinder has a plurality of vent apertures therein.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The joining means of claim 9 wherein said spacer arm slants between said discs and relative to the so joined flanges and defines with said flanges, an annular cavity between said discs.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The joining means of claim 8 joining said discs which each are already joined to one or more other discs.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The joining means of claim 8 wherein said securing means are bolts or studs through bolt holes.

### Claim 13 (depends on 8)

The joining means of claim 8 wherein said discs have rotor blades mounted thereon.

### Claim 14 (depends on 8)

The joining means of claim 8 wherein said flanges have scalloped edges.