Locking spacer assembly

Abstract

A locking spacer assembly for securing adjacent rotor blades includes a first end piece configured to fit into a space between the platforms of adjacent rotor blades. The first end piece comprises an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface has a profile that is adapted to project into the attachment slot. A second end piece is configured to fit into a space between the platforms. The second end piece comprises an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface has a profile that is adapted to project into the attachment slot. The inner surfaces of the first and second end pieces generally face each other. The first end piece and the second end piece are bonded together either directly or via a spacer block that is inserted between the inner surfaces.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A locking spacer assembly for insertion into a circumferential attachment slot between platforms of adjacent rotor blades, comprising:
 a first end piece configured to fit into a space between platforms of adjacent rotor blades, said first end piece comprising an outer surface and an inner surface, said outer surface having a profile adapted to project into an attachment slot;   a second end piece configured to fit into said space between said platforms, said second end piece comprising an outer surface and an inner surface, said outer surface having a profile adapted to project into said attachment slot, wherein said inner surfaces of said first and second end pieces generally face each other; and   a spacer block configured to be inserted between said inner surfaces of said first and second end pieces, wherein said spacer block is bonded to each of said first end piece and said second end piece.   
     
     
         2 . The locking spacer assembly as in  claim 1 , further comprising connection joints defined between said first end piece and said spacer block and said second end piece and said spacer block, wherein said spacer block is bonded along at least one of said connection joints. 
     
     
         3 . The locking spacer assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein said spacer block is bonded via at least one of welding or brazing. 
     
     
         4 . The locking spacer assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein said spacer block is bonded via adhesive cladding. 
     
     
         5 . The locking spacer assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein each of said first end piece, said second end piece and said spacer block define a platform portion of the locking spacer assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The locking spacer assembly as in  claim 5 , wherein each of said first end piece, said second end piece and said spacer block are bonded along said platform portion. 
     
     
         7 . The locking spacer assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein said spacer block engages with a bottom portion of said attachment slot. 
     
     
         8 . The locking spacer assembly as in  claim 1 , further comprising recesses formed on said inner surfaces of said first and second end pieces and collars formed on said spacer block, wherein said collars are configured to be received in said recesses when said spacer block is inserted between said inner surfaces. 
     
     
         9 . A locking spacer assembly for insertion into a circumferential attachment slot between platforms of adjacent rotor blades, comprising:
 a first end piece configured to fit into a space between platforms of adjacent rotor blades, said first end piece comprising an outer surface and an inner surface, said outer surface having a profile adapted to project into an attachment slot;   a second end piece configured to fit into a space between said platforms, said second end piece comprising an outer surface and an inner surface, said outer surface having a profile adapted to project into said attachment slot, wherein said inner surfaces of said first and second end pieces are adjacent to each other; and   wherein said first end piece is bonded to said second end piece along a joint defined between said inner surfaces.   
     
     
         10 . The locking spacer assembly as in  claim 9 , wherein said first end piece and said second end piece are bonded via welding. 
     
     
         11 . The locking spacer assembly as in  claim 9 , wherein said first end piece and said second end piece are bonded via brazing. 
     
     
         12 . The locking spacer assembly as in  claim 9 , wherein each of said first end piece and said second end piece define a platform portion of the locking spacer assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The locking spacer assembly as in  claim 12 , wherein said joint extends along said platform portion. 
     
     
         14 . The locking spacer assembly as in  claim 9 , further comprising a recess formed on said inner surface of said first end piece and a collar formed on said inner surface of said second end piece, wherein said collar is configured to be received in said recess when said first and second end pieces are installed into said attachment slot. 
     
     
         15 . A turbomachine, comprising:
 a compressor;   a combustor;   a turbine; and   wherein at least one of the compressor or the turbine comprises:
 a rotor disk comprising forward and aft posts defining a continuous circumferentially extending attachment slot; 
 a plurality of rotor blades, each of the plurality of rotor blades extending from one of a plurality of platforms, wherein each of the plurality of platforms is secured to the attachment slot by an inwardly extending root; and 
 a locking spacer assembly disposed in a space between at least two of the plurality of platforms, the locking spacer assembly comprising:
 a first end piece configured to fit into a space between platforms of adjacent rotor blades, said first end piece comprising an outer surface and an inner surface, said outer surface having a profile adapted to project into an attachment slot; 
 a second end piece configured to fit into a space between said platforms, said second end piece comprising an outer surface and an inner surface, said outer surface having a profile adapted to project into said attachment slot, wherein said inner surfaces of said first and second end pieces generally face each other; and 
 wherein said first end piece is bonded to said second end piece. 
 
   
     
     
         16 . The turbomachine as in  claim 15 , wherein said first end piece is bonded to said second end piece along a joint defined between said inner surfaces. 
     
     
         17 . The turbomachine as in  claim 15 , where said first end piece is bonded to said second end piece via at least one of welding or brazing. 
     
     
         18 . The turbomachine as in  claim 15 , wherein said first end piece and said second end piece define a platform portion of the locking spacer assembly, wherein said first end piece and said second end piece are bonded along said platform portion. 
     
     
         19 . The turbomachine as in  claim 15 , further comprising a spacer block configured to be inserted between said inner surfaces of said first and second end pieces, wherein said first end piece is bonded to said second end piece via said spacer block. 
     
     
         20 . The turbomachine as in  claim 19 , wherein said first end piece, said second end piece and said spacer block define a platform portion of the locking spacer assembly, wherein each of said first end piece, said second end piece and said spacer block are bonded along said platform portion.