Abstract: A retention system for a plurality of turbine buckets located in respective mating slots in a turbine rotor wheel includes a plurality of first circumferentially-oriented retention slots formed in outer peripheral portions of the turbine wheel; a plurality of second circumferentially-oriented retention slots formed in wheel mounting portions of said buckets, the first and second circumferentially-oriented retention slots aligned to form an annular lockwire retention slot; and a lockwire located within the annular lockwire retention slot. A first surface feature on one or both of the turbine rotor wheel and one or more of said plurality of turbine buckets is adapted to engage a second surface feature on the lockwire for preventing rotation of the lockwire beyond predetermined limits.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a method is provided for modifying an airfoil shroud located at a tip of an airfoil of a airfoil, the airfoil shroud having a first end edge, a second end edge, a leading edge and a trailing edge. The method includes locating a reference location in the first end edge of the airfoil shroud, the reference location being proximate a seal rail extending circumferentially from the substantially horizontal surface and forming a relief cut in the airfoil shroud to remove the reference location, wherein a modifying of the airfoil shroud is complete following forming of the relief cut.

Abstract: A retention system for a plurality of turbine buckets located in respective mating slots in a turbine rotor wheel includes a plurality of first circumferentially-oriented retention slots formed in outer peripheral portions of the turbine wheel; a plurality of second circumferentially-oriented retention slots formed in wheel mounting portions of said buckets, the first and second circumferentially-oriented retention slots aligned to form an annular lockwire retention slot; and a lockwire located within the annular lockwire retention slot. A first surface feature on one or both of the turbine rotor wheel and one or more of said plurality of turbine buckets is adapted to engage a second surface feature on the lockwire for preventing rotation of the lockwire beyond predetermined limits.

Abstract: A gas turbine assembly includes a shroud that includes a plurality of interconnected shroud segments, wherein each one of the shroud segments comprises an arcuate base formed of a first metal material. The arcuate base is made up of an annular member having an axial component and a pair of upstanding ribs having flanges, wherein the arcuate base further comprises a high temperature capable material layer disposed on a surface of the arcuate base so as to define an inner diameter of the shroud segment (i.e., the hot gas path side or environmental side).