Abstract: A method of assembling a steam turbine including a rotor assembly is provided. The method includes providing at least one turbine bucket including a dovetail that includes a plurality of crush surfaces, a plurality of non-contact surfaces, and at least one neck defined between one of the crush surfaces and one of the non-contact surfaces. The method also includes providing a turbine wheel that includes at least one dovetail slot defined therein that is defined by a plurality of crush surfaces and a plurality of non-contact surfaces, and coupling the dovetail of the at least one turbine bucket within the turbine wheel slot such that a slant angle of the at least one neck facilitates a substantially uniform distribution of load between the dovetail and the at least one slot.

Abstract: A rotating blade for a steam turbine includes a root section and an airfoil section contiguous with the root section. The airfoil section is shaped to optimize aerodynamic performance while providing optimized flow distribution and minimal centrifugal and bending stresses. The blade also includes a tip section continuous with the airfoil section, and a cover formed as part of the tip section. The cover defines a radial seal that serves to minimize tip losses. The rotating blade is capable of running at operating speeds between 5626 and 11250 rotations per minute.

Abstract: A method of assembling a steam turbine including a rotor assembly is provided. The method includes providing at least one turbine bucket including a dovetail that includes a plurality of crush surfaces, a plurality of non-contact surfaces, and at least one neck defined between one of the crush surfaces and one of the non-contact surfaces. The method also includes providing a turbine wheel that includes at least one dovetail slot defined therein that is defined by a plurality of crush surfaces and a plurality of non-contact surfaces, and coupling the dovetail of the at least one turbine bucket within the turbine wheel slot such that a slant angle of the at least one neck facilitates a substantially uniform distribution of load between the dovetail and the at least one slot.

Abstract: A rotating blade for a steam turbine includes a root section and an airfoil section contiguous with the root section. The airfoil section is shaped to optimize aerodynamic performance while providing optimized flow distribution and minimal centrifugal and bending stresses. The blade also includes a tip section continuous with the airfoil section, and a cover formed as part of the tip section. The cover defines a radial seal that serves to minimize tip losses. The rotating blade is capable of running at operating speeds between 5626 and 11250 rotations per minute.