Turbine Blade Assembly

Abstract

A blade assembly for a rotor includes an attachment section operably connectable to a rotor, and an airfoil section. At least one retainer extends in a substantially tangential direction at least partially through the airfoil section and the attachment section to secure the airfoil section to the attachment section. A method of assembling a rotor assembly includes inserting at least one retainer in a substantially tangential direction at least partially through an attachment section of a blade assembly and an airfoil section of the blade assembly, thereby securing the airfoil section to the attachment section. The blade assembly is then secured to a rotor.

1 . A blade assembly for a rotor comprising:
 an attachment section operably connectable to a rotor;   an airfoil section; and   at least one retainer extending in a substantially tangential direction at least partially through the airfoil section and the attachment section to secure the airfoil section to the attachment section.   
     
     
         2 . The blade assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one retainer is at least one pin. 
     
     
         3 . The blade assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one pin is secured in the blade assembly via welding. 
     
     
         4 . The blade assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment section comprises a pocket into which the airfoil section is inserted. 
     
     
         5 . The blade assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the pocket includes at least one pocket hole into which the at least one retainer is inserted. 
     
     
         6 . The blade assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one pocket hole is disposed at one tangential surface of the pocket. 
     
     
         7 . The blade assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a bushing disposed between the retainer and the airfoil section. 
     
     
         8 . The blade assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a sleeve disposed between the airfoil section and the attachment section. 
     
     
         9 . The blade assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the airfoil section and the attachment section are formed of different materials. 
     
     
         10 . The blade assembly of  claim 1  wherein the airfoil section is formed of a ceramic matrix composite and/or a single crystal alloy. 
     
     
         11 . The blade assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment section is formed of a nickel alloy. 
     
     
         12 . The blade assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment section is operably connectable to the rotor via an axially-extending dovetail. 
     
     
         13 . A method of assembling a rotor assembly comprising:
 inserting at least one retainer in a substantially tangential direction at least partially through an attachment section of a blade assembly and an airfoil section of the blade assembly, thereby securing the airfoil section to the attachment section; and   securing the blade assembly to a rotor.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising inserting the airfoil section into a pocket of the attachment section. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising disposing a bushing between the at least one retainer and the airfoil section. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising disposing a sleeve between the airfoil section and the attachment section. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one retainer is at least one pin. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising securing the at least one pin in the blade assembly via welding. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising securing additional blade assemblies to the rotor. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising retaining the at least one retainer in the blade assembly via contact of the at least one retainer with an adjacent blade assembly.