Turbine bucket having axially extending groove

Abstract

A turbine bucket and corresponding turbines are disclosed herein. In one aspect, the turbine bucket includes: a blade member; and a base member affixed to the blade member, the base member configured to attach to a turbine rotor radially inward of the blade member, wherein the base member includes a first semi-elliptical extension spanning substantially an axial length of the base member and extending at least partially perpendicularly in relation to a primary axis of the turbine bucket.

1 . A turbine bucket comprising:
 a blade member; and   a base member affixed to the blade member, the base member configured to attach to a turbine rotor radially inward of the blade member,   wherein the base member includes a first semi-elliptical groove spanning substantially an axial length of the base member.   
     
     
         2 . The turbine bucket of  claim 1 , wherein the base member includes a dovetail shape configured to interact with a dovetail opening in the turbine rotor. 
     
     
         3 . The turbine bucket of  claim 1 , wherein the first semi-elliptical groove has an arc radius between approximately 0.08 inches and approximately 0.1 inches. 
     
     
         4 . The turbine bucket of  claim 1 , wherein the first semi-elliptical groove has a non-uniform arc radius across the axial length of the base member. 
     
     
         5 . The turbine bucket of  claim 1 , wherein the first semi-elliptical groove has a first arc radius and is formed on a pressure side of the base member, and further comprising a second semi-elliptical groove having a second arc radius smaller than the first arc radius, wherein the second semi-elliptical groove is formed on a suction side of the base member. 
     
     
         6 . The turbine bucket of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second semi-elliptical groove spanning substantially the axial length of the base member,   wherein the first semi-elliptical groove and the second semi-elliptical groove define portions of the base member extending at least partially perpendicularly from a primary axis of the turbine in opposite directions from the base member, and   wherein the first semi-elliptical groove has a larger arc radius than an arc radius of the second semi-elliptical groove.   
     
     
         7 . The turbine bucket of  claim 1 , wherein the first semi-elliptical groove is configured to interact with a second semi-elliptical groove of an adjacent turbine bucket to substantially form a channel. 
     
     
         8 . A turbine comprising:
 a stator;   a diaphragm at least partially housed within the stator; and   a rotor substantially surrounded by the diaphragm, the rotor including:
 a turbine bucket having:
 a blade member; and 
 a base member affixed to the blade member, the base member attached to the rotor radially inward of the blade member, 
 wherein the base member includes a first semi-elliptical groove spanning substantially an axial length of the base member. 
 
   
     
     
         9 . The turbine of  claim 8 , wherein the base member includes a dovetail shape configured to interact with a dovetail opening in the turbine rotor. 
     
     
         10 . The turbine of  claim 8 , wherein the first semi-elliptical groove has an arc radius of approximately between approximately 0.08 inches and approximately 0.1 inches. 
     
     
         11 . The turbine of  claim 8 , wherein the first semi-elliptical groove has a non-uniform arc radius across the axial length of the base member. 
     
     
         12 . The turbine of  claim 8 , wherein the first semi-elliptical groove has a first arc radius and is formed on a pressure side of the base member, and further comprising a second semi-elliptical groove having a second arc radius smaller than the first arc radius, wherein the second semi-elliptical groove is formed on a suction side of the base member. 
     
     
         13 . The turbine of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a second semi-elliptical groove spanning substantially the axial length of the base member,   wherein the first semi-elliptical groove and the second semi-elliptical groove define portions of the base member extending at least partially perpendicularly from a primary axis of the turbine in opposite directions from the base member.   
     
     
         14 . The turbine of  claim 8 , wherein the first semi-elliptical groove is configured to interact with a second semi-elliptical groove of an adjacent turbine bucket to substantially form a seal. 
     
     
         15 . The turbine of  claim 8 , wherein the rotor further includes a plurality of turbine buckets arranged circumferentially about an axis of the rotor, each of the plurality of turbine buckets including a semi-elliptical groove configured to interact with a complementary semi-elliptical groove of an adjacent turbine bucket among the plurality of turbine buckets. 
     
     
         16 . The turbine of  claim 8 , wherein the primary axis of the turbine bucket extends substantially perpendicularly from a central axis of the turbine. 
     
     
         17 . A turbine comprising:
 a stator having a cooling path extending therethrough; and   a rotor substantially surrounded by the stator and fluidly connected with the cooling path, the rotor including:
 a plurality of turbine buckets, each of the plurality of turbine buckets having:
 a blade member; and 
 a base member affixed to the blade member, the base member attached to the rotor radially inward of the blade member, 
 wherein the base member includes a pressure-side semi-elliptical groove spanning substantially an axial length of the base member, the pressure-side semi-elliptical groove interacting with a suction-side semi-elliptical groove in an adjacent one of the plurality of turbine buckets to form a fluid conduit extending axially along the blade member. 
 
   
     
     
         18 . The turbine of  claim 17 , wherein the primary axis of the turbine bucket extends substantially perpendicularly from a central axis of the rotor. 
     
     
         19 . The turbine of  claim 17 , wherein the pressure-side semi-elliptical groove is forged or cut with a remainder of the base member. 
     
     
         20 . The turbine of  claim 17 , wherein the pressure side semi-elliptical groove has a distinct arc radius from the suction-side semi-elliptical groove of the adjacent one of the plurality of turbine buckets.