Abstract: The present invention relieves the stress at a fillet of a blade shank using at least one axially extending pocket on the shank near an axially extending fillet of a shank to root interface or a shank to platform interface on a pressure or suction side of the blade and the pocket is axially shorter than the fillet. The stress relief pocket has a radially extending pocket width that is substantially wider than a fillet width between generally axially extending edges of the fillet wherein the pocket width may be several times wider than the fillet width. The wider pocket shields the fillet thereby reducing the stress concentration at the fillet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for minimizing compressor casing distortion due to bleed air extraction wherein the compressor casing includes an annular outer casing having at least one outlet duct, an annular inner casing disposed co-axially with the outer casing and spaced radially inwardly therefrom to define a plenum, two radial discs extending inwardly from the outer casing defining a plenum, a plurality of small area bleed openings located in the inner casing for imparting a radial velocity to the bleed air greater than the circumferential velocity entering the plenum, an air tube located over each bleed opening, and a baffle plate located on top of the air tubes and communicating with the radial discs for supporting the casings, whereby the bleed air impinges on the outer casing and controls distortion by sufficiently reducing the circumferential temperature gradient forming at the outer casing.

Abstract: A sealing device for compressor axial dovetail rotor blades for a gas turbine engine comprising a sealing member having a finger portion extending from a main body portion which engages a disk hook located on each disk post and forms a first point of contact about which the sealing member rotates. The sealing member further comprises an extended skirt portion which engages the blade platform of the rotor blades forming a second point of contact. The main body has a center of gravity positioned such that during operation of the engine the main body pivots due to centrifugal force about the disk hook such that the skirt portion engages the blade platform. A split ring is located between the disk posts and a tail portion extending from the lower portion of the sealing member and engages the disk post and tail portion during operation of the engine thereby forming a third point of contact.