Turbomachine and method of handling turbomachine components

Abstract

A turbomachine is provided and includes a blade wheel having an outer radial portion defining first and second nested pockets, a blade having a root section, which is receivable in the first pocket and thereby securable in the first pocket in circumferential and radial dimensions and an insert, which is receivable in the second pocket and configured to secure the root section in an axial dimension with positive retention.

1 . A turbomachine, comprising:
 a blade wheel having an outer radial portion defining first and second nested pockets;   a blade having a root section, which is receivable in the first pocket and thereby securable in the first pocket in circumferential and radial dimensions; and   an insert, which is receivable in the second pocket and configured to secure the root section in an axial dimension with positive retention.   
     
     
         2 . The turbomachine according to  claim 1 , wherein the insert comprises:
 a body having a spine and opposing tongs; and   a pin, which is engageable with a first one of the tongs such that the pin is disposable in a first position, at which the opposing tongs are compressible toward one another, and in a second position, at which the opposing tongs are prevented from being compressed toward one another; and   a second one of the tongs having a retention element, which is engageable with the root section to axially secure the root section with positive retention.   
     
     
         3 . The turbomachine according to  claim 2 , wherein the opposing tongs have grip portions at complementary sections thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The turbomachine according to  claim 2 , wherein the pin comprises:
 opposing distal ends; and   a threaded central portion, which is threadably engageable with the first one of the tongs.   
     
     
         5 . The turbomachine according to  claim 2 , wherein the root section has a chamfered portion, which is engageable with the retention element. 
     
     
         6 . The turbomachine according to  claim 1 , wherein the insert comprises:
 a body having an upper portion and a lower portion, which are engageable with one another to enable radial movement of the upper portion; and   an elastic element configured to provide a positive stop to prevent radial movement of the upper portion; and   the upper portion having a retention element, which is engageable with the root section to axially secure the root section with positive retention.   
     
     
         7 . The turbomachine according to  claim 6 , wherein the upper and lower portions are threadably engageable with one another. 
     
     
         8 . The turbomachine according to  claim 6 , wherein the upper and lower portions each having holding elements that enable relative rotation between the upper and lower portions. 
     
     
         9 . The turbomachine according to  claim 6 , wherein the elastic element comprises a spring washer. 
     
     
         10 . The turbomachine according to  claim 6 , wherein the root section has a chamfered portion, which is engageable with the retention element. 
     
     
         11 . The turbomachine according to  claim 1 , wherein the insert comprises an anti-rotation feature. 
     
     
         12 . The turbomachine according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second pockets have varying depths and the insert has a complementarily varying height. 
     
     
         13 . A method of handling turbomachine components, comprising:
 machining a second pocket into a face of a first pocket defined in an outer radial portion of a blade wheel;   disposing an insert in the second pocket with the insert in a compressed condition;   axially inserting a root section of a blade into the first pocket to secure the root section in circumferential and radial dimensions; and   locking the insert in a decompressed condition to secure the root section in an axial dimension with positive retention.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising providing the insert with anti-rotation features. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising biasing the insert to remain compressed until the root section is axially inserted into the first pocket. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 unlocking the insert from the decompressed condition;   compressing the insert; and   axially withdrawing the root section from the first pocket.   
     
     
         17 . A method of handling turbomachine components, comprising:
 machining a second pocket into a face of a first pocket defined in an outer radial portion of a blade wheel;   disposing an insert in the second pocket with the insert in a contracted condition;   axially inserting a root section of a blade into the first pocket to secure the root section in circumferential and radial dimensions; and   biasing the insert to remain in an extended condition to secure the root section in an axial dimension with positive retention.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising providing the insert with anti-rotation features. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising extending the insert by rotating a lower portion thereof, which is threadably engageable with an upper portion thereof, relative to the upper portion. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising:
 contracting the insert; and   axially withdrawing the root section from the first pocket.