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: Systems, methods and devices adapted to ease installation of turbine bucket assemblies about a rotor and to reduce related stress concentrations in the rotor are disclosed. In one embodiment, an insert includes: a base portion adapted to complement an entry slot in a rotor of a turbine; and a neck portion extending radially outboard from the base portion, the neck portion adapted to complement a post of the rotor to form a substantially continuous dovetail about the rotor.