Blade retaining clip

Abstract

A blade retaining clip and a blade assembly for axially securing a root portion of a blade component within an axially extending slot of a rotating disk. The blade retaining clip includes a shank portion, a first end portion and a second end portion. The shank portion includes an axial downwardly curved profile. The first end portion and the second end portion are integrally formed at opposed ends of the shank portion. The first end portion and the second end portion are configured to secure the root portion of the blade component within the axially extending slot of the rotating disk. The axial downward curvature of the shank portion minimized operating stresses at the first end portion and the second end portion and subsequent failure of the blade retaining clip.

1 . A blade retaining clip for axially securing a root portion of a blade within an axially extending slot of a rotating disk comprising:
 an elongate shank portion having a length at least equal to the axially extending slot of the rotating disk; and   a first end portion and a second end portion, integrally formed at opposed ends of the elongate shank portion, the first end portion and the second end portion extending upwardly from the elongate shank portion and configured to secure the root portion of the blade within the axially extending slot of the rotating disk,   wherein the elongate shank portion has an axial downwardly curved profile.   
   
   
       2 . A blade retaining clip as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the blade retaining clip is formed of a stamped sheet metal. 
   
   
       3 . A blade retaining clip as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the elongate shank portion has a substantially rod-like shape. 
   
   
       4 . A blade retaining clip as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first end portion is pre-bent to secure the blade within the axially extending slot of the rotating disk. 
   
   
       5 . A blade retaining clip as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the second end portion is straight and bent during assembly of the blade within the axially extending slot of the rotating disk. 
   
   
       6 . A blade retaining clip as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the axial downwardly curved profile of the elongate shank portion includes a degree of curvature sufficient to offset operating stresses to the first end portion and the second end portion. 
   
   
       7 . A blade retaining clip as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the degree of curvature is 0.005 to 0.025 inches relative to an axis of the elongate shank portion. 
   
   
       8 . A blade retaining clip as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the elongate shank portion is configured to flex in an upwardly direction to offset operating stresses to the first end portion and the second end portion. 
   
   
       9 . A blade retaining clip for axially securing a root portion of a blade within an axially extending slot of a rotating disk comprising:
 an elongate shank having a substantially rod-like shape and a length at least equal to the axially extending slot of the rotating disk; and   a first end portion and a second end portion, integrally formed at opposed ends of the elongate shank, the first end portion and the second end portion extending upwardly from the elongate shank portion and configured to include a plurality of retention stops to secure the blade within the axially extending slot of the rotating disk,   wherein the elongate shank portion has an axial downwardly curved profile.   
   
   
       10 . A blade retaining clip as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the first end portion and the second end portion are t-shaped. 
   
   
       11 . A blade retaining clip as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the first end portion and the second end portion are configured to bend during assembly of the blade within the axially extending slot of the rotating disk. 
   
   
       12 . A blade retaining clip as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the blade retaining clip is formed of a stamped sheet metal. 
   
   
       13 . A blade retaining clip as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the axial downwardly curved profile of the elongate shank includes a degree of curvature sufficient to offset operating stresses to the first end portion and the second end portion. 
   
   
       14 . A blade retaining clip as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the degree of curvature is 0.005 to 0.025 inches relative to an axis of the elongate shank. 
   
   
       15 . A blade assembly for a turbine engine comprising:
 a rotating disk including a plurality of axially extending slots formed about a periphery of the rotating disk;   an annular array of blades extending radially outwardly from the rotating disk, each of the blades including a root portion and an airfoil portion, the root portion of each blade positioned in one of the plurality of axially extending slots; and   a plurality of blade retaining clips, one of the plurality of blade retaining clips positioned within each of the plurality of axially extending slots and providing radial retention of the each of the blades of the annular array of blades, each of the plurality of blade retaining clips comprising:
 an elongate shank having a substantially rod-like shape, a length at least equal to an axially extending slot of the rotating disk, and an axial downwardly curved profile; and 
 a first end portion and a second end portion, integrally formed at opposed ends of the elongate shank, the first end portion and the second end portion extending upwardly from the elongate shank portion and configured to secure a blade of the annular array of blades within an axially extending slot of the plurality of axially extending slots of the rotating disk. 
   
   
   
       16 . A blade assembly as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the rotating disk is a turbine disk including a plurality of turbine blades radially extending therefrom. 
   
   
       17 . A blade assembly as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of blade retaining clips are formed of a stamped sheet metal. 
   
   
       18 . A blade assembly as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the first end portion is pre-bent to secure the blade within the axially extending slot of the rotating disk and the second end portion is bent during assembly of the blade within the axially extending slot of the rotating disk. 
   
   
       19 . A blade assembly as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the root portion of each of the blades includes a retainer slot formed therein. 
   
   
       20 . A blade assembly as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the axial downwardly curved profile includes a degree of curvature sufficient to offset operating stresses to the first end portion and the second end portion.