Axial retention device for turbine system

Abstract

An axial retention device for a turbine is disclosed. The axial retention device includes a latch associated with a mating surface of one of a turbine component and a support structure. The latch has an outward bias and includes an axial load surface. The axial retention device further includes a pocket defined in a mating surface of the other of the turbine component and the support structure. The pocket is configured to accept the latch therein and includes a mating axial load surface. Engagement of the latch and the pocket allows the axial load surface and the mating axial load surface to interact, preventing axial movement of the turbine component with respect to the support structure in at least one direction.

1 . An axial retention device for a turbine, the axial retention device comprising:
 a latch associated with a mating surface of one of a turbine component and a support structure, the latch having an outward bias, the latch including an axial load surface; and   a pocket defined in a mating surface of the other of the turbine component and the support structure, the pocket configured to accept the latch therein, the pocket including a mating axial load surface,   wherein engagement of the latch and the pocket allows the axial load surface and the mating axial load surface to interact, preventing axial movement of the turbine component with respect to the support structure in at least one direction.   
     
     
         2 . The axial retention device of  claim 1 , the mating surface of the one of the turbine component and the support structure associated with the latch defining a cavity therein, and wherein the latch is mounted in the cavity. 
     
     
         3 . The axial retention device of  claim 1 , wherein the latch is pivotable about a pivot point. 
     
     
         4 . The axial retention device of  claim 1 , further comprising a spring, the spring providing the outward bias. 
     
     
         5 . The axial retention device of  claim 4 , wherein the spring is a plurality of springs. 
     
     
         6 . The axial retention device of  claim 1 , further comprising a stop associated with one of the turbine component and the support structure, the stop configured to interact with the other of the turbine component and the support structure such that axial movement of the turbine component with respect to the support structure is prevented in two directions. 
     
     
         7 . The axial retention device of  claim 1 , wherein the axial load surface is a plurality of axial load surfaces and the mating axial load surface is a plurality of mating axial load surfaces, and wherein engagement of the latch and the pocket allows the plurality of axial load surfaces and the plurality of mating axial load surfaces to interact, preventing axial movement of the turbine component with respect to the support structure in two directions. 
     
     
         8 . The axial retention device of  claim 1 , the other of the turbine component and the support structure defining an access hole, the access hole providing access to the latch for releasing the latch from the pocket, allowing axial movement of the turbine component with respect to the support structure in the at least one direction. 
     
     
         9 . The axial retention device of  claim 8 , the latch including a sealing surface configured to seal the access hole when the latch and pocket are engaged. 
     
     
         10 . The axial retention device of  claim 1 , wherein the latch is associated with the mating surface of the support structure and the pocket is defined in the mating surface of the turbine component. 
     
     
         11 . The axial retention device of  claim 1 , wherein the turbine component is a sealing device and the support structure is a spacer rim structure. 
     
     
         12 . The axial retention device of  claim 1 , wherein the turbine component is a bucket and the support structure is a rotor disk. 
     
     
         13 . A turbine, comprising:
 a support structure, the support structure having a mating surface;   at least one turbine component, the turbine component having a mating surface;   a latch associated with the mating surface of one of the at least one turbine component and the support structure, the latch having an outward bias, the latch including an axial load surface; and   a pocket defined in the mating surface of the other of the at least one turbine component and the support structure, the pocket configured to accept the latch therein, the pocket including a mating axial load surface,   wherein engagement of the latch and the pocket allows the axial load surface and the mating axial load surface to interact, preventing axial movement of the at least one turbine component with respect to the support structure in at least one direction.   
     
     
         14 . The turbine of  claim 13 , the mating surface of the one of the at least one turbine component and the support structure associated with the latch defining a cavity therein, and wherein the latch is mounted in the cavity. 
     
     
         15 . The turbine of  claim 13 , wherein the latch is pivotable about a pivot point. 
     
     
         16 . The turbine of  claim 13 , further comprising a spring, the spring providing the outward bias. 
     
     
         17 . The turbine of  claim 13 , further comprising a stop associated with one of the at least one turbine component and the support structure, the stop configured to interact with the other of the at least one turbine component and the support structure such that axial movement of the at least one turbine component with respect to the support structure is prevented in two directions. 
     
     
         18 . The turbine of  claim 13 , the other of the at least one turbine component and the support structure defining an access hole, the access hole providing access to the latch for releasing the latch from the pocket, allowing axial movement of the at least one turbine component with respect to the support structure in the at least one direction. 
     
     
         19 . The turbine of  claim 13 , wherein the latch is associated with the mating surface of the support structure and the pocket is defined in the mating surface of the at least one turbine component. 
     
     
         20 . The turbine of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one turbine component is two turbine components.