Mistake proof damper pocket seals

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9587495-B2
Application number	US-201213537127-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 29, 2012
Priority date	Jun 29, 2012
Publication date	Mar 7, 2017
Grant date	Mar 7, 2017

Abstract

A method of assembling a blade array includes the step of inserting a blade having a platform into a rotor. The blade includes a pocket radially beneath the platform that includes an interference feature. The blade corresponds to one of first and second blades that are scaled versions of one another. The method includes the step of selecting a damper seal, and inserting the damper seal into the pocket. The damper seal corresponds to one of first and second damper seals. The first damper seal cooperates with the interference feature thereby permitting the first damper seal to fully seat within the pocket. The second damper seal is obstructed by the interference feature thereby preventing the second damper seal from fully seating within the pocket.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of assembling a blade array comprising the steps of:
inserting a blade having a platform into a rotor, the blade including a pocket radially beneath the platform that includes a protrusion extending from the pocket, the blade corresponding to one of first and second blades that are scaled versions of one another;
selecting a damper seal that includes a generally C-shaped wall having forward and aft ends abutting an inner surface of the pocket, wherein the wall includes a lateral tab; and
inserting the damper seal into the pocket, the damper seal corresponding to one of first and second damper seals, wherein the first damper seal cooperates with the protrusion thereby permitting the first damper seal to fully seat within the pocket, and the second damper seal is obstructed by the protrusion thereby preventing the second damper seal from fully seating within the pocket, the lateral tab of the second damper seal being obstructed by the protrusion to prevent installation of the second damper seal into the pocket.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second blades each include an airfoil and a root that are substantially the same shape as one another.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the first and second blades each include platforms that are substantially the same, excluding the protrusion.

4. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the first blade has a scale factor of 1.1 or less compared to the second blade.

5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the first blade has a scale factor of about 1.04 compared to the second blade.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second blades are configured to be used for the same stage of different gas turbine engines that have scaled cores relative to one another.

7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the first and second blades are turbine blades.

8. The method according to claim 1 , comprising the step of inserting another blade into the rotor adjacent to the other blade, the damper seal inserted into adjacent pockets of the adjacent blades to seal a circumferential gap between adjacent platforms of the adjacent blades.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the pocket includes an aft side, and the damper seal includes forward and aft ends, wherein the aft side provides the protrusion such that the aft end is obstructed by the aft side of the pocket.

10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first damper seal includes a first tab having a first forward edge spaced a first distance from a first forward end, and the second damper seal includes a second tab having a second forward edge spaced a second distance from a second forward end, the first and second distances different than one another.

11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the lateral tab extends radially inwardly from the wall.

12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the damper seal is a stamped steel, and the blade is a nickel alloy.

Assignees

• Beattie Jeffrey S
• Jacques Jeffrey Michael
• United Technologies Corp

Inventors

• Beattie Jeffrey S
• Jacques Jeffrey Michael

Classifications

• Y10T29/49316

  Impeller making · CPC title

• F01D11/006

  Sealing the gap between rotor blades or blades and rotor · CPC title

• F05D2260/30

  Retaining components in desired mutual position · CPC title

• F01D5/22 Primary

  Blade-to-blade connections, {e.g. for damping vibrations} · CPC title

• F05D2230/64

  using positioning or alignment devices for aligning or centring, e.g. pins · CPC title