Locking spacer assembly for a circumferential entry airfoil attachment system
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorRobert Alan Brittingham
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A locking spacer assembly for insertion in a circumferential attachment slot includes a first end piece and a second end piece. The first and second end pieces each comprise an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surfaces generally facing towards each other when the end pieces are inserted into the attachment slot. An actuator is movable between the inner surfaces and a spacer block is configured to be inserted between the inner surfaces. A fastener is configured to secure the spacer block to the actuator. The actuator is configured to engage the inner surfaces such that the end pieces move toward each other and lock the assembly within the attachment slot.
Claims18
A locking spacer assembly for insertion into a circumferential attachment slot between platforms of adjacent airfoils, comprising:
- a first end piece configured to fit into a space between platforms of adjacent airfoils, said first end piece comprising an outer surface and an inner surface, said outer surface having a profile adapted to project into an attachment slot;
- a second end piece configured to fit into a space between said platforms, said second end piece comprising an outer surface and an inner surface, said outer surface having a profile adapted to project into said attachment slot, wherein said inner surfaces of said first and second end pieces generally face each other;
- an actuator movable between said inner surfaces, said actuator including a projection configured to engage said first and second end pieces at projection locations located along a radially inner portion of said inner surfaces of said first and second end pieces;
- a spacer block configured to be inserted between said inner surfaces, said spacer block defining a cavity configured to receive said actuator;
- a fastener configured to secure said spacer block to said actuator;
- and
- wherein said actuator engages said inner surfaces such that said first and second end pieces move toward each other at said projection locations and lock said assembly within said attachment slot.
A rotor assembly, comprising:
- a rotor having a rotor disc with forward and aft posts defining a continuous circumferentially extending attachment slot;
- a plurality of airfoils, each of said plurality of airfoils extending from one of a plurality of platforms, wherein each of said plurality of platforms is secured to said attachment slot by an inwardly extending root;
- a locking spacer assembly disposed in a space between at least two of said plurality of platforms, said locking spacer assembly further comprising:
- a first end piece configured to fit into said space, said first end piece comprising an outer surface and an inner surface, said outer surface having a profile adapted to project into said attachment slot;
- a second end piece configured to fit into said space, said second end piece comprising an outer surface and an inner surface, said outer surface having a profile adapted to project into said attachment slot, wherein said inner surfaces of said first and second end pieces generally face each other;
- an actuator movable between said inner surfaces, said actuator including a projection configured to engage said first and second end pieces at projection locations located along a radially inner portion of said inner surfaces of said first and second end pieces;
- a spacer block configured to be inserted between said inner surfaces, said spacer block defining a cavity configured to receive said actuator;
- a fastener configured to secure said spacer block to said actuator;
- and
- wherein said actuator engages said inner surfaces such that said first and second end pieces move toward each other at said projection locations and lock said assembly within said attachment slot.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.