Turbomachine including a non-destructive fastener element for joining components

Abstract

A turbomachine includes a first component including a first surface and a second surface spaced from the first surface by a gap. One of the first and second surfaces includes a non-destructive fastener element receiving opening and a wire retention feature. A second component extends into the gap between the first and second surfaces. A non-destructive fastener element is detachably mounted to the first component. The non-destructive fastener element includes a post member and a wire member operatively connected to the post member. The post member extends into the non-destructive fastener element receiving opening preventing removal of the second component and the wire member engages with the wire retention feature to secure the non-destructive fastener element to the first component.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A turbomachine comprising:
 a first component including a first surface and a second surface spaced from the first surface by a gap, one of the first and second surfaces including a non-destructive fastener element receiving opening and a wire retention feature;   a second component extending into the gap between the first and second surfaces; and   a non-destructive fastener element detachably mounted to the first component, the non-destructive fastener element including a post member and a wire member operatively connected to the post member, the post member extending into the non-destructive fastener element receiving opening preventing removal of the second component and the wire member engaging with the wire retention feature to secure the non-destructive fastener element to the first component.   
     
     
         2 . The turbomachine according to  claim 1 , wherein the wire member extends through the post member. 
     
     
         3 . The turbomachine according to  claim 1 , wherein the post member includes a base portion and a post portion that projects substantially perpendicularly from the base portion, the post member including at least one wire receiving passage that extends through the base portion substantially perpendicularly relative to the post portion. 
     
     
         4 . The turbomachine according to  claim 3 , wherein the base portion includes an access port extending through the base portion and bisecting the at least one wire receiving passage, the access port being configured and disposed to receive a wire member cutting tool. 
     
     
         5 . The turbomachine according to  claim 3 , wherein the wire member extends from a first end to a second end through an intermediate portion, the wire member extending through the at least one wire receiving passage. 
     
     
         6 . The turbomachine according to  claim 5 , wherein the first component includes another wire retention feature arranged adjacent to the non-destructive fastener element receiving opening, the wire retaining feature snap-fittingly receiving the first end or the wire member and the another fastener retaining feature snap-fittingly receiving the second end of the wire member. 
     
     
         7 . The turbomachine according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least one wire receiving passage includes a first wire receiving passage and a second wire receiving passage spaced from the first wire receiving passage. 
     
     
         8 . The turbomachine according to  claim 7 , wherein the first end of the wire member extends through the first wire receiving passage and the second end of the wire member extends through the second wire receiving passage, the intermediate portion forming a loop. 
     
     
         9 . The turbomachine according to  claim 8 , wherein the wire retention feature comprises a projection extending from the first surface adjacent the non-destructive fastener element receiving opening, the loop extending about the projection to retain the non-destructive fastener element to the first component. 
     
     
         10 . A turbomachine comprising:
 a rotor including a radial outer edge having a blade mounting region provided with a plurality of blade mounts disposed circumferentially about the radial outer edge, a first groove defining member extending about the radial outer edge and a second groove defining member extending circumferentially about the rotor radially inwardly of the plurality of blade mounts;   a plurality of blades mounted to the rotor, each of the plurality of blades including a retaining component and a blade mounting portion, the retaining component including a first surface and the blade mounting portion including a second surface spaced from the first surface by a gap, one of the first and second surfaces including a non-destructive fastener element receiving opening and a wire retention feature;   a blade retaining element received by the first and second groove defining members and extending into the gap between the first and second surfaces; and   a non-destructive fastener element detachably mounted to the segmented cover component, the non-destructive fastener element including a post member and a wire member operatively connected to the post member, the post member extending into the non-destructive fastener element receiving opening preventing removal of the segmented cover component and the wire member engaging with the wire retention feature to secure the non-destructive fastener element to the blade retaining element.   
     
     
         11 . The turbomachine according to  claim 10 , wherein the wire member extends through the post member. 
     
     
         12 . The turbomachine according to  claim 10 , wherein the post member includes a base portion and a post portion that projects substantially perpendicularly from the base portion, the post member including at least one wire receiving passage that extends through the base portion substantially perpendicularly relative to the post portion. 
     
     
         13 . The turbomachine according to  claim 12 , wherein the base portion includes an access port extending through the base portion and bisecting the at least one wire receiving passage, the access port being configured and disposed to receive a wire member cutting tool. 
     
     
         14 . The turbomachine according to  claim 12 , wherein the wire member extends from a first end to a second end through an intermediate portion, the wire member extending through the at least one wire receiving passage. 
     
     
         15 . The turbomachine according to  claim 14 , wherein the retaining component includes another wire retaining feature arranged adjacent to the non-destructive fastener element receiving opening, the wire retaining feature snap-fittingly first end of the wire member and the another wire retaining feature snap-fittingly receiving the second end of the wire member. 
     
     
         16 . The turbomachine according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least one wire receiving passage includes a first wire receiving passage and a second wire receiving passage spaced from the first wire receiving passage. 
     
     
         17 . The turbomachine according to  claim 16 , wherein the first end of the wire member extends through the first wire receiving passage and the second end of the wire member extends through the second wire receiving passage, the intermediate portion forming a loop. 
     
     
         18 . The turbomachine according to  claim 17 , wherein the wire retention feature comprises a projection extending from the first surface adjacent the non-destructive fastener element receiving opening, the loop extending about the projection to retain the non-destructive fastener element to the blade retaining element. 
     
     
         19 . The turbomachine according to  claim 10 , wherein the blade retaining component comprises a segmented cover component extending across the blade mounting region, the segmented cover component being configured and disposed to reduce leakage between the corresponding ones of the plurality of blades and the rotor. 
     
     
         20 . The turbomachine according to  claim 10 , wherein the rotor defines a turbine rotor arranged in a turbine portion of the turbomachine.