Importance

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Abstract

The invention contemplates a technique and machine for completing the assembly of a turbine-rotor stage by precision-peening blade tenons to secure shroud segments to successive blades. In the machine, a turbine-rotor assembly of multiple stages of blades on a rotor shaft is mounted on a horizontal axis, with provision for indexing successive blade tenons of a given-stage into precise horizontal confrontation with tool elements successively presented to the tenon, the tool elements being independently mounted to a compound-axis slide system. A presser foot carried by the slide system locally holds the shroud segment to a seated position against the blade to be secured, while first an induction-heating element and then a riveting tool perform in programmed sequence upon the exposed end of the involved tenon. The compound action of the slide system enables (a) reciprocated horizontal displacement of the tools in and out of operating position, tool action being on a horizontal axis of symmetry which geometrically intersects the turbine-rotor axis, while operating upon the blades of a first turbine stage, and (b) orthogonal offsetting displacement of the slide system and its tools, in order to proceed with a succession of similar shroud-riveting operations at a succeeding stage of the rotor.

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First Claim