Methods and apparatus for securing turbine nozzles

Abstract

A method for assembling a turbine, wherein the method includes coupling at least one nozzle assembly including an outer band, an inner band, a nozzle, and a dovetail, to a stator that includes a plurality of dovetail slots and channels defined therein, slidably coupling the at least one nozzle assembly into a respective dovetail slot, and fixedly securing the at least one nozzle assembly to the stator with a load pin that extends between the nozzle assembly and the dovetail slot.

1 . A method for assembling a turbine, said method comprising: 
 coupling at least one nozzle assembly including an outer band, an inner band, a nozzle, and a dovetail, to a stator that includes a plurality of dovetail slots and channels defined therein;    slidably coupling the at least one nozzle assembly into a respective dovetail slot; and    fixedly securing the at least one nozzle assembly to the stator with a load pin that extends between the nozzle assembly and the dovetail slot.    
     
     
         2 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising forming a channel that extends at least partially through the stator dovetail slot and is sized to receive a load pin therein.  
     
     
         3 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein fixedly securing the at least one nozzle assembly to the stator comprises inserting the load pin through the stator channel.  
     
     
         4 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising forming a plurality of channels that each extend at least partially through the stator dovetail slot, and are sized to receive at least one load pin therein.  
     
     
         5 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein fixedly securing the at least one nozzle assembly further comprises fixedly securing the at least one nozzle assembly to the stator using at least one load pin that has a substantially semi-circular cross-sectional shape.  
     
     
         6 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein fixedly securing the at least one nozzle assembly further comprises fixedly securing the at least one nozzle assembly to the stator using at least one load pin fabricated from at least one of a brass, a bronze, and a steel material.  
     
     
         7 . A stator assembly for a turbine, said stator assembly comprising: 
 a stator comprising a plurality of dovetail slots and channels;    at least one nozzle assembly secured to said stator, said at least one nozzle assembly comprising an outer band, an inner band, a nozzle, and a dovetail, said nozzle extending radially outwardly from each said dovetail; and    at least one load pin for securing said at least one nozzle assembly to said stator such that said load pin extends between said at least one nozzle assembly dovetail and said at least one stator dovetail slot.    
     
     
         8 . A stator assembly in accordance with  claim 7  wherein said at least one load pin comprises a substantially semi-circular cross-sectional profile.  
     
     
         9 . A stator assembly in accordance with  claim 7  wherein said at least one load pin comprises at least one of a brass, a bronze, and a steel material.  
     
     
         10 . A stator assembly in accordance with  claim 7  wherein said at least one load pin extends through a portion of said stator dovetail slot.  
     
     
         11 . A stator assembly in accordance with  claim 7  wherein said at least one load pin extends through a portion of said stator channel.  
     
     
         12 . A stator assembly in accordance with  claim 7  wherein said at least one load pin further comprises an upstream load pin and a downstream load pin.  
     
     
         13 . A turbine comprising: 
 at least one rotor assembly;    at least one stator assembly in flow communication with said at least one rotor assembly, said at least one stator assembly comprising a stator comprising a plurality of dovetail slots and channels;    at least one nozzle assembly secured to said stator, said at least one nozzle assembly comprising an upstream side, a downstream side, a vane and a dovetail, said vane extending radially from said dovetail; and    at least one load pin for securing said at least one nozzle assembly to said stator such that said load pin extends between said nozzle assembly dovetail and said stator dovetail slot.    
     
     
         14 . A turbine in accordance with  claim 13  wherein said at least one load pin comprises a substantially semi-circular cross-sectional profile.  
     
     
         15 . A turbine in accordance with  claim 13  wherein said at least one load pin comprises at least one of a brass, a bronze, and a steel material.  
     
     
         16 . A turbine in accordance with  claim 13  wherein said at least one load pin extends through a portion of said stator channel.  
     
     
         17 . A turbine in accordance with  claim 13  wherein said at least one load pin extends through a portion of said stator dovetail slot.  
     
     
         18 . A turbine in accordance with  claim 13  wherein said at least one load pin further comprises an upstream load pin and a downstream load pin.