# US 9,435,213 B2 · Method for improving the sealing on rotor arrangements > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,435,213 B2 - Document ID: US9435213B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/701,852 - Filed: 2010-02-08 - Published: 2010-07-01 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2007-08-08 - Assignees: General Electric Technology GmbH - Applicants: Helmar Wunderle; Stefan Schlechtriem; Peter Graf; Silvio Glaser; Beat Von Arx - Inventors: Helmar Wunderle; Stefan Schlechtriem; Peter Graf; Silvio Glaser; Beat Von Arx - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9435213B2 ## CPC - F01D 5/3007: {of axial insertion type} - F01D 11/005: {Sealing means between non relatively rotating elements} - F05D 2240/55: Seals - F05D 2250/13: trapezoidal - F05D 2250/182: crenellated, notched - Y10T 29/49316: Impeller making - F01D: NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES (machines or engines for liquids F03; non-positive displacement pumps F04D) - F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A method is described for improving the sealing between rotor and a plurality of blades. The rotor has a plurality of generally axially extending profiled recesses into which a ring of blades, which have corresponding blade root profiles, are inserted in a form-fitting and/or frictionally locking manner into these recesses in a generally axial insertion direction. Between the recesses the rotor has tangential surface sections or circumferential surface sections which extend in the axial direction and circumferential direction and are generally indirectly covered by lower shrouds of circumferentially adjacently arranged blades in the radial direction. At least one of the tangential surface or circumferential surface sections is provided with a step in the radial direction, and a corresponding recess, which adjoins as flush as possible, is provided in the underside of the shroud of the blade which is arranged above it. Corresponding rotors or blades are also described. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for improving sealing between a rotor and a plurality of blades which are anchored in the rotor and arranged in the form of an encompassing ring, wherein the rotor has a plurality of generally axially extending first recesses into which a ring of blades, which have corresponding blade root profiles which correspond to the first recesses, are inserted in a form-fitting and/or frictionally locking manner in a generally axial insertion direction, and wherein between the first recesses the rotor has circumferential surface sections which extend in the axial direction and circumferential direction and are generally at least indirectly covered by lower shrouds of circumferentially adjacently arranged blades in a radial direction, the method comprising: providing the circumferential surface sections with stop elements in the radial direction, wherein the stop elements have a rectangular or square cross section in axial section, providing a second recess in an underside of the shroud of each of the plurality of blades, wherein second recesses of first and second adjacent blades of the plurality of blades abut the stop elements along an entire circumferential length of the stop element, and the stop elements are fully accommodated in the second recesses, wherein the stop elements and the corresponding second recesses are configured in a stepped shape forming a labyrinth seal, wherein the labyrinth seal is configured to allow an amount of cooling air to flow to the stepped shape, and providing cooling air passages in the rotor and leading outwards from the surface sections in the radial direction for feeding the cooling air which is blown out along the stepped shape between the stop elements and the second recesses, wherein the stop elements comprise ring sections connected to the circumferential surface sections by welding or soldering. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stop elements are arranged on a stop side which is opposite the insertion side. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stop elements are formed over less than 10% of the axial extent of the circumferential surface sections. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stop elements have a radial height in the region of 4 mm. ### Claim 5 An arrangement for fastening a plurality of blades on a rotor, comprising: the rotor including a plurality of generally axially extending profiled first recesses into which a ring of blades, which have corresponding blade root profiles, can be inserted in a form-fitting and/or frictionally locking manner into these first recesses in a generally axial insertion direction, wherein between the first recesses the rotor has circumferential surface sections which extend in the axial direction and circumferential direction and are covered by lower shrouds of circumferentially adjacently arranged blades in a radial direction; a plurality of blades, each blade including a blade root and a blade airfoil which is formed thereupon, wherein the blade root has a blade root profile and a lower shroud, and on an underside of the shroud there is a second recess which is open in an insertion direction towards the rotor; the circumferential surface sections are provided with stop elements in the radial direction wherein the stop elements have a rectangular or square cross section in axial section, the second recesses of adjacent first and second blades of the plurality of blades abut the stop elements along an entire circumferential length of the stop elements and the stop elements are fully accommodated in the second recesses, wherein the stop elements and the corresponding second recesses are configured in a stepped shape forming a labyrinth seal, wherein the labyrinth seal is configured to allow an amount of cooling air to flow to the stepped shape, wherein cooling air passages lead outwards from the surface sections in the radial direction for feeding cooling air which is blown out along the stepped shape between the stop elements and the second recesses, wherein the stop elements comprise ring sections connected to the circumferential surface sections by welding or soldering. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The arrangement of claim 5, wherein the blade root profile is formed as a dovetail profile or as a fir-tree profile. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The arrangement of claim 5, wherein each blade further comprises an upper shroud. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The arrangement of claim 5, wherein the profiled first recesses are formed as dovetail profiles or fir-tree profiles. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The arrangement of claim 5, wherein the rotor is circumferentially configured so that an equal or different number of blades per stage is installed. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) The arrangement of claim 5, wherein the rotor and/or the blades are axially fixable in a front or rear region.