Turbine rotor apparatus and system

Abstract

A segmented turbine rotor is disclosed. The segmented turbine rotor has a plurality of rows of a plurality of turbine blades. At least one rotor segment of a plurality of rotor segments of the segmented turbine rotor includes a ring disposed circumferentially about and having an axis substantially parallel to a central axis of the rotor, the ring defining a cavity disposed at a center thereof and having an outer surface supporting at least one row of the plurality of rows of turbine blades.

1 . A segmented turbine rotor having a plurality of rows of a plurality of turbine blades, at least one rotor segment of a plurality of rotor segments of the segmented turbine rotor comprising:
 a ring disposed circumferentially about and having an axis substantially parallel to a central axis of the rotor, the ring defining a cavity disposed at a center thereof and having an outer surface supporting at least one row of the plurality of rows of turbine blades.   
   
   
       2 . The segmented turbine rotor of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the outer surface of the ring supports more than one row of the plurality of rows of turbine blades.   
   
   
       3 . The segmented turbine rotor of  claim 1 , wherein at least one rotor segment of the plurality of rotor segments comprises:
 a web portion having a first end and a second end, the first end disposed proximate the central axis of the rotor; and   a flange portion integral with the second end of the web portion, the flange portion disposed parallel to the central axis, thereby defining a cavity disposed between the web portion and the flange portion, the flange portion having an outer surface supporting more than one row of the plurality of rows of the plurality of turbine blades.   
   
   
       4 . The segmented turbine rotor of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a first segment of the plurality of rotor segments is disposed adjacent to and in contact with a second segment of the plurality of rotor segments.   
   
   
       5 . The segmented turbine rotor of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a weld joint disposed between the first segment and the second segment.   
   
   
       6 . The segmented turbine rotor of  claim 5 , wherein the first segment and the second segment comprise different materials. 
   
   
       7 . The segmented turbine rotor of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of rotor segments further comprises:
 more than one row of a plurality of dovetail grooves in the outer surface, a turbine blade of the plurality of turbine blades being retained by each dovetail groove of the plurality of dovetail grooves.   
   
   
       8 . The segmented turbine rotor of  claim 1 , wherein at least one rotor segment of the plurality of rotor segments is made from at least one of:
 a super alloy;   a martensitic stainless steel;   a low alloy steel, and   a titanium alloy.   
   
   
       9 . A turbine comprising:
 an outer frame;   a segmented turbine rotor disposed within the outer frame, the segmented turbine rotor comprising a plurality of rotor segments;   a plurality of rows of a plurality of turbine blades in operable communication with the segmented turbine rotor; and   at least one rotor segment of the plurality of rotor segments comprising:
 a ring disposed circumferentially about and having an axis substantially parallel to a central axis of the rotor, thereby defining a cavity disposed at a center of the ring, the ring having an outer surface supporting at least one row of the plurality of rows of turbine blades. 
   
   
   
       10 . The turbine of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the outer surface of the ring supports more than one row of the plurality of rows of turbine blades.   
   
   
       11 . The turbine of  claim 9 , wherein:
 a first segment of the plurality of rotor segments is disposed adjacent to and in contact with a second segment of the plurality of rotor segments.   
   
   
       12 . The turbine of  claim 11 , wherein the segmented turbine rotor further comprises:
 a weld joint disposed between the first segment and the second segment.   
   
   
       13 . The turbine of  claim 12 , wherein the first segment and the second segment comprise different materials. 
   
   
       14 . The turbine of  claim 9 , wherein at least one rotor segment of the plurality of rotor segments comprises:
 a web portion having a first end and a second end, the first end disposed proximate the central axis of the rotor; and   a flange portion integral with the second end of the web portion, the flange portion disposed parallel to the central axis, thereby defining a cavity disposed between the web portion and the flange portion, the flange portion having an outer surface supporting more than one row of the plurality of rows of the plurality of turbine blades.   
   
   
       15 . The turbine of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the plurality of rotor segments further comprises:
 more than one row of a plurality of dovetail grooves in the outer surface, a turbine blade of the plurality of turbine blades being retained by each dovetail groove of the plurality of dovetail grooves.   
   
   
       16 . The turbine of  claim 9 , wherein at least one rotor segment of the plurality of rotor segments is made from at least one of:
 a super alloy;   a martensitic stainless steel;   a low alloy steel, and   a titanium alloy.   
   
   
       17 . The turbine of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the turbine is one of a gas turbine and a steam turbine.