Abstract: A rotor assembly is provided. The rotor assembly includes a plurality of blades spaced circumferentially. An airfoil of each blade includes a pressure side, a suction side, a pressure side nub extending from the pressure side, and a suction side nub extending from the suction side. An airfoil length is greater than one of (i) 40 inches, wherein the rotor is configured for operation at about 3600 rpm, and (ii) 48 inches, wherein the rotor is configured for operation at about 3000 rpm. The rotor assembly also includes a plurality of sleeves. Each of the sleeves extends from a first end to a second end. The first end is coupled to the pressure side nub of a first of the blades and the second end is coupled to the suction side nub of an adjacent second of the blades.

Abstract: A rotor assembly is provided. The rotor assembly includes a plurality of blades spaced circumferentially. An airfoil of each blade includes a pressure side, a suction side, a pressure side nub extending from the pressure side, and a suction side nub extending from the suction side. An airfoil length is greater than one of (i) 40 inches, wherein the rotor is configured for operation at about 3600 rpm, and (ii) 48 inches, wherein the rotor is configured for operation at about 3000 rpm. The rotor assembly also includes a plurality of sleeves. Each of the sleeves extends from a first end to a second end. The first end is coupled to the pressure side nub of a first of the blades and the second end is coupled to the suction side nub of an adjacent second of the blades.

Abstract: A rotor wheel assembly has a rotor wheel including a plurality of dovetail slots. The rotor wheel assembly includes a bucket closure assembly having a leading auxiliary bucket with a dovetail coupled to a dovetail slot and an integral cover having a back side edge oriented at a first angle relative to the rotor wheel rotation axis. The bucket closure assembly includes a closure bucket having a dovetail coupled to a dovetail slot and an integral cover having a front side and a back side edge, where the back side edge is oriented to a second angle and the front side edge is parallel to the back side edge of the leading auxiliary bucket. The bucket closure assembly includes a trailing auxiliary bucket having a dovetail coupled to a dovetail slot and an integral cover having a front side edge parallel to the back side edge of the closure bucket.

Abstract: A rotor wheel assembly includes a rotor wheel having a plurality of dovetail slots spaced circumferentially about a peripheral surface of the rotor wheel. The rotor wheel also has a plurality of notches formed in the peripheral surface. The rotor wheel assembly includes at least one bucket having an integral cover, an airfoil, a dovetail, and a platform having a first surface and an opposite second surface. The first surface of the platform includes a keyway. The keyway has an opposing tapered surface oriented at a first angle relative to the first surface of the platform. Furthermore, the rotor wheel assembly includes a wedge key having first face that is oriented substantially parallel to the first surface of the platform and an opposite second face that is oriented at the first angle relative to the first face, such that the second face is substantially parallel to the taper surface.

Abstract: A rotary machine is provided. The rotary machine includes a turbine section with a casing and a ring coupled within the casing. The ring has a groove. The rotary machine also includes a nozzle coupled to the ring. The nozzle has a first end, a second end, and an airfoil extending between the first end and the second end along a longitudinal axis. The first end includes a first hook and a second hook. The first hook has a first radially outer surface, and the second hook has a second radially outer surface. The ring and the first end of the nozzle cooperate to form an anti-rotation feature that extends from at least one of the radially outer surfaces along the axis and between the hooks.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a system for shifting a torsional mode frequency of a rotary device, the system comprising: a plurality of mass rings, each of the plurality of mass rings comprising: a pair of radially-segmented half rings; and at least one channel through each of the radially-segmented half rings, the at least one channel oriented substantially perpendicular to the radial segmentation of the mass ring, whereby the plurality of mass rings may be aligned and secured through the at least one channel of each radially-segmented half ring such that the radial segmentation of each mass ring is staggered with respect to the radial segmentation of an adjacent mass ring.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly is provided. The nozzle assembly includes at least one stationary nozzle. An outer ring having a predefined shape includes at least one groove defined therein and the groove is configured to receive at least a portion of the stationary nozzle therein. A coupling portion is formed integrally with the stationary nozzle or the outer ring such that the coupling portion extends outwardly therefrom. An attachment member is coupled to the coupling portion to facilitate substantially restricting movement of the stationary nozzle when the outer ring is substantially distorted.

Abstract: Engaging inclined surfaces of an inner ring and an outer ring create wedge action inducing an inward radial force as the rings are forced together longitudinally, holding the adjustor on a rotating body. An inner total arcuate length of each ring is smaller than an outer total arcuate length of a respective target body (inner ring for outer ring, rotating body for inner ring). Arcuate segments of each ring can have inner surfaces with radii of curvature equal to or smaller than that of the target body outer surface, and with a total arcuate length smaller than the circumference of the target body's outer surface.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly is provided. The nozzle assembly includes at least one stationary nozzle. An outer ring having a predefined shape includes at least one groove defined therein and the groove is configured to receive at least a portion of the stationary nozzle therein. A coupling portion is formed integrally with the stationary nozzle or the outer ring such that the coupling portion extends outwardly therefrom. An attachment member is coupled to the coupling portion to facilitate substantially restricting movement of the stationary nozzle when the outer ring is substantially distorted.

Abstract: Engaging inclined surfaces of an inner ring and an outer ring create wedge action inducing an inward radial force as the rings are forced together longitudinally, holding the adjustor on a rotating body. An inner total arcuate length of each ring is smaller than an outer total arcuate length of a respective target body (inner ring for outer ring, rotating body for inner ring). Arcuate segments of each ring can have inner surfaces with radii of curvature equal to or smaller than that of the target body outer surface, and with a total arcuate length smaller than the circumference of the target body's outer surface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system having a turbine blade segment having a blade and a mounting segment coupled to the blade. The mounting segment is configured to couple to a slot in a rotor, and the mounting segment has a cavity extending radially into the mounting segment.

Abstract: A rotor wheel assembly has a rotor wheel including a plurality of dovetail slots. The rotor wheel assembly includes a bucket closure assembly having a leading auxiliary bucket with a dovetail coupled to a dovetail slot and an integral cover having a back side edge oriented at a first angle relative to the rotor wheel rotation axis. The bucket closure assembly includes a closure bucket having a dovetail coupled to a dovetail slot and an integral cover having a front side and a back side edge, where the back side edge is oriented to a second angle and the front side edge is parallel to the back side edge of the leading auxiliary bucket. The bucket closure assembly includes a trailing auxiliary bucket having a dovetail coupled to a dovetail slot and an integral cover having a front side edge parallel to the back side edge of the closure bucket.

Abstract: A rotor wheel assembly includes a rotor wheel having a plurality of dovetail slots spaced circumferentially about a peripheral surface of the rotor wheel. The rotor wheel also has a plurality of notches formed in the peripheral surface. The rotor wheel assembly includes at least one bucket having an integral cover, an airfoil, a dovetail, and a platform having a first surface and an opposite second surface. The first surface of the platform includes a keyway. The keyway has an opposing tapered surface oriented at a first angle relative to the first surface of the platform. Furthermore, the rotor wheel assembly includes a wedge key having first face that is oriented substantially parallel to the first surface of the platform and an opposite second face that is oriented at the first angle relative to the first face, such that the second face is substantially parallel to the taper surface.

Abstract: A wheel dovetail groove with a wheel hook retains blade hooks of mounted blades. Opposed arcuate cut-outs in upper recessed areas of the groove may form an assembly gate. Blade hooks may be inserted into the groove in a first orientation, rotated to a second orientation at the assembly gate, and slid into a predetermined position. Blades may be secured with shims between adjacent bucket dovetails. Blade tip cover blocks may be included to form a cover. All blades may be substantially identical and not need special mounting arrangements at the assembly gate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to rotary devices and, more particularly, to systems, devices, and methods for shifting a torsional mode frequency of a rotary device. In one embodiment, the invention provides a system for shifting a torsional mode frequency of a rotary device, the system comprising: a plurality of mass rings, each of the plurality of mass rings comprising: a pair of radially-segmented half rings; and at least one channel through each of the radially-segmented half rings, the at least one channel oriented substantially perpendicular to the radial segmentation of the mass ring, whereby the plurality of mass rings may be aligned and secured through the at least one channel of each radially-segmented half ring such that the radial segmentation of each mass ring is staggered with respect to the radial segmentation of an adjacent mass ring.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly is provided. The nozzle assembly includes at least one stationary nozzle. An outer ring having a predefined shape includes at least one groove defined therein and the groove is configured to receive at least a portion of the stationary nozzle therein. A coupling portion is formed integrally with the stationary nozzle or the outer ring such that the coupling portion extends outwardly therefrom. An attachment member is coupled to the coupling portion to facilitate substantially restricting movement of the stationary nozzle when the outer ring is substantially distorted.

Abstract: A process and alloy for producing a turbine blade whose properties enable the blade to operate within a steam turbine at maximum operating temperatures of greater than 1300° F. (about 705° C.). The process includes casting the blade from a gamma prime-strengthened nickel-base superalloy having a composition of, by weight, 14.25-15.75% cobalt, 14.0-15.25% chromium, 4.0-4.6% aluminum, 3.0-3.7% titanium, 3.9-4.5% molybdenum, 0.05-0.09% carbon, 0.012-0.020% boron, maximum 0.5% iron, maximum 0.2% silicon, maximum 0.15% manganese, maximum 0.04% zirconium, maximum 0.015% sulfur, maximum 0.1% copper, balance nickel and incidental impurities, and an electron vacancy number of 2.32 maximum. The casting then undergoes a high temperature solution heat treatment to promote resistance to hold-time cracking. The blade exhibits a combination of yield strength, stress rupture properties, environmental resistance, and cost in steam turbine applications to 1400° F. (about 760° C.).

Abstract: A wheel dovetail groove with a wheel hook retains blade hooks of mounted blades. Opposed arcuate cut-outs in upper recessed areas of the groove may form an assembly gate. Blade hooks may be inserted into the groove in a first orientation, rotated to a second orientation at the assembly gate, and slid into a predetermined position. Blades may be secured with shims between adjacent bucket dovetails. Blade tip cover blocks may be included to form a cover. All blades may be substantially identical and not need special mounting arrangements at the assembly gate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system having a turbine blade segment having a blade and a mounting segment coupled to the blade. The mounting segment is configured to couple to a slot in a rotor, and the mounting segment has a cavity extending radially into the mounting segment.

Abstract: A process and alloy for producing a turbine blade whose properties enable the blade to operate within a steam turbine at maximum operating temperatures of greater than 1300° F. (about 705° C.). The process includes casting the blade from a gamma prime-strengthened nickel-base superalloy having a composition of, by weight, 14.25-15.75% cobalt, 14.0-15.25% chromium, 4.0-4.6% aluminum, 3.0-3.7% titanium, 3.9-4.5% molybdenum, 0.05-0.09% carbon, 0.012-0.020% boron, maximum 0.5% iron, maximum 0.2% silicon, maximum 0.15% manganese, maximum 0.04% zirconium, maximum 0.015% sulfur, maximum 0.1% copper, balance nickel and incidental impurities, and an electron vacancy number of 2.32 maximum. The casting then undergoes a high temperature solution heat treatment to promote resistance to hold-time cracking. The blade exhibits a combination of yield strength, stress rupture properties, environmental resistance, and cost in steam turbine applications to 1400° F. (about 760° C.).