Joining mechanism and method for interlocking modular turbine engine component with a split ring

A modular airfoil assembly comprising:

• a platform member having first and second sides and a hole extending therethrough;
• an airfoil portion having a shoulder region and a stem extending outward from the shoulder region along an axis with the shoulder region along the first side of the platform member,
• the stem having a proximal portion adjoining the shoulder region and extending into the hole, and a distal end region extending away from the shoulder region and away from the proximal portion, wherein the distal end region of the stem includes a recessed portion extending between mutually opposed surfaces disposed perpendicular to the axis along which the stem extends,
• a ring element positioned against and extending outward from the stem, in a radial direction with respect to the axis, with which the shoulder region is secured against the first side of the platform member, the ring element comprising first and second members bonded together, the first member comprising first and second mating surfaces and the second member comprising third and fourth mating surfaces, wherein the ring element is positioned against the stem in the recessed portion so that movement of the ring element along the axis is limited or prevented by the mutually opposed surfaces disposed perpendicular to the axis;
• a portion of the third mating surface of the second member extending within and bonded to a portion of the first mating surface of the first member, and
• a portion of the fourth mating surface of the second member extending within and bonded to a portion of the second mating surface of the first member,
• wherein the first and second members of the ring element comprise a sinterable material sintered to bond to one another at corresponding mating surfaces of the first and second members of the ring element.

A method for interlocking components of an airfoil structure, comprising:

• providing a platform member having first and second sides and a hole extending from a first opening in the first side to a second opening in the second side;
• providing an airfoil portion having a shoulder region and a stem extending outward from the shoulder region along an axis,
• providing a ring element comprising first and second members, each member having a pair of spaced apart contact surfaces for bonding with a surface of the other member;
• positioning a first portion of the stem in the hole of the platform member, with the shoulder region adjoining the first side of the platform member and with a second portion of the stem extending away from the shoulder, and beyond the first portion of the stem relative to the second opening;
• positioning the first and second members of the ring element about the second portion of the stem so they each extend outward in a radial direction with respect to the axis, with the first and second ring element members joined together along the contact surfaces, wherein the second portion of the stem includes a recess extending between mutually opposed surfaces disposed perpendicular to the axis along which the stem extends, and wherein the positioning of the first and second members of the ring element includes placing the members of the ring element in the recess, wherein movement of the ring element along the axis is limited or prevented by the mutually opposed surfaces disposed perpendicular to the axis;
• and
• sintering the ring element members together by bonding the contact surfaces of each to contact surfaces of the other thereby providing a locking mechanism by which the shoulder region is secured against the first side of the platform member.