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US 9,803,485 B2Granted
Turbine segmented cover plate retention method
AssigneeRolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
InventorBrandon R. Snyder
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved gas turbine cover plate assembly is disclosed for use in connection with segmented cover plates in turbine configurations where it is not possible to stagger the blades to create assembly clearance. The improved turbine assembly also avoids cover plate loading slots in the disc which can cause high stress features. The improved system also includes a method to axially retain segmented cover plates in relation to a turbine disc using a segmented retainer ring.
Claims19
A gas turbine engine disc and cover plate assembly comprising:
- a turbine disc having a first groove and a retaining arm including a radially extending portion;
- a turbine blade having a second groove;
- at least one segmented cover plate having an upper end and a lower end, the at least one segmented cover plate dimensioned such that when the upper end is positioned within the second groove the lower end clears the first groove;
- at least one retainer member positioned within the first groove of the turbine disc below the lower end of the segmented cover plate such that the at least one retainer member is positioned against the bottom of the first groove and the radially extending portion, the retainer member having a contact surface comprising a notched portion for retaining the lower end of the segmented cover plate in place relative to the turbine disc such that the segmented cover plate is secured between the first groove and the second groove;
- and
- at least one smash plate positioned within the first groove of the turbine disc;
- wherein axial retention of the turbine blade relative to the turbine disc is aided by the smash plate;
- and
- wherein the notched portion is configured to force the at least one segmented cover plate into the second groove and inwards against the turbine blade.
6 more elements
A disc and cover plate assembly for a turbo machine comprising:
- a turbine disc having a first groove and a retaining arm including a radially extending portion;
- at least one cover plate having an upper end and a lower end;
- a turbine blade having a second groove;
- and
- at least one segmented retainer member positioned within the first groove of the disc and extending below the lower end of the cover plate such that the at least one segmented retainer member is positioned against the bottom of the first groove and the radially extending portion, the segmented retainer member having a contact surface comprising a notched portion for retaining the cover plate in place relative to the turbine disc;
- wherein a combined dimension of the cover plate and the at least one segmented retaining member comprise a length between a first groove and the second groove;
- and
- wherein the notched portion is configured to force the at least one cover plate into the second groove and inwards against the turbine blade.
5 more elements
A method of assembling a cover plate to a gas turbine engine disc comprising the steps of:
- a. providing a disc including a disc groove and a retaining arm including a radially extending portion;
- b. providing at least one segmented cover plate;
- c. providing a blade including a blade groove;
- d. providing at least one segmented retainer ring;
- e. providing at least one smash plate;
- f. inserting one segmented cover plate into place within the blade groove, the segmented cover plate dimensioned to clear the disc groove;
- g. inserting a segmented retainer ring into the disc groove adjacent to the segmented cover plate such that the segmented retainer ring is positioned against the bottom of the disc groove and the radially extending portion;
- h. sliding the segmented retainer ring into a position beneath a lower end of the segmented cover plate such that the segmented cover plate is secured between the disc groove and the blade groove by engaging a notched portion of the segmented retainer ring, the notched portion configured to force the segmented cover plate into the blade groove and inwards against the blade;
- i. continuing inserting segmented cover plates and segmented retainer rings until a predetermined number of spaces for segmented cover plates remain;
- j. arranging the cover plates and segmented retainer rings such that the predetermined number of open spaces that remain are located to a preferred location;
- and
- k. inserting a smash plate in each open space.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.