초록 ▼

A balance weight for a turbine rotor includes: (a) a block-like centerbody; (b) a pair of resilient spring arms extending laterally from opposite sides of the centerbody, the centerbody and the spring arms collectively defining an arcuate shape; and (c) at least one locating structure extending from

A balance weight for a turbine rotor includes: (a) a block-like centerbody; (b) a pair of resilient spring arms extending laterally from opposite sides of the centerbody, the centerbody and the spring arms collectively defining an arcuate shape; and (c) at least one locating structure extending from a radially outer surface of the balance weight.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A balance weight for a turbine rotor, comprising: (a) a block-like centerbody;(b) a pair of resilient spring arms extending laterally from opposite sides of the centerbody, the centerbody and the spring arms collectively defining an arcuate shape; and(c) at least one locating structure extending

1. A balance weight for a turbine rotor, comprising: (a) a block-like centerbody;(b) a pair of resilient spring arms extending laterally from opposite sides of the centerbody, the centerbody and the spring arms collectively defining an arcuate shape; and(c) at least one locating structure extending from a radially outer surface of the balance weight. 2. The balance weight of claim 1 wherein an anti-rotation lug extends radially outward from the centerbody. 3. The balance weight of claim 1 wherein a shear pin extends radially outward from a distal end of each of the spring arms. 4. The balance weight of claim 1 wherein an axially elongated rail extends radially outward from a distal end of each of the spring arms. 5. The balance weight of claim 1 wherein a stop block extends radially inward from a distal end of each of the spring arms. 6. The balance weight of claim 1 wherein the centerbody includes a notch formed at a radially inner end thereof. 7. A turbine rotor assembly, comprising: (a) a rotor element including an annular first hub surface and an annular first flange surrounding the first hub surface, spaced away from the first hub surface so as to define a first pocket; and(b) at least one balance weight disposed in the first pocket, comprising: (i) a block-like centerbody;(ii) a pair of resilient spring arms extending laterally from opposite sides of the centerbody, the centerbody and the spring arms collectively defining an arcuate shape; and(iii) at least one locating feature extending radially outward from the balance weight;(c) wherein the spring arms and the centerbody resiliently bear against the first flange and the first hub surface, respectively, so as to retain the balance weight in the first pocket. 8. The turbine rotor assembly of claim 7 wherein an anti-rotation lug extends radially outward from the centerbody and engages an aperture in the first flange, so as to prevent axial movement of the balance weight relative to the rotor disk. 9. The turbine rotor assembly of claim 7 wherein each of the spring arms includes a shear pin extending radially outward from a distal end thereof, the shear pins engaging apertures in the first flange. 10. The turbine rotor assembly of claim 7 wherein each of the spring arms includes an axially elongated rail extending radially outward from a distal end thereof, the rails engaging grooves in the first flange. 11. The turbine rotor assembly of claim 7 wherein a stop block extends radially inward from a distal end of each of the spring arms, the radial height of the stop blocks selected so as to prevent insertion of the balance weight into the first pocket if the spring arms are deflected beyond a predetermined limit. 12. The turbine rotor assembly of claim 7 further comprising an additional member abutting the first pocket so as to retain the balance weight in the first pocket in an axial direction. 13. The turbine rotor assembly of claim 12 wherein the centerbody includes a notch formed at a radially inner end thereof which abuts the additional member. 14. The turbine rotor assembly of claim 7, comprising: (a) an annular member defining an annular second hub surface and an annular second flange surrounding the second hub surface, spaced away from the second hub surface so as to define a second pocket; and(b) at least one balance weight disposed in the second pocket, comprising: (i) a block-like centerbody;(ii) a pair of resilient spring arms extending laterally from opposite sides of the centerbody, the centerbody and the spring arms collectively defining an arcuate shape; and(iii) at least one locating feature extending from the balance weight;(c) wherein the spring arms and the centerbody resiliently bear against the second flange and the second hub surface, respectively, so as to retain the balance weight in the second pocket. 15. The turbine rotor assembly of claim 14 wherein the annular member is an impeller shaft disposed in a compressor downstream of the rotor disk. 16. A method of balancing a turbine rotor assembly which includes an annular member defining an annular hub surface and an annular flange surrounding the hub surface, spaced away from the hub surface so as to define a pocket, the method comprising: (a) inserting at least one balance weight in the pocket at an initial position, the balance weight comprising: (i) a block-like centerbody;(ii) a pair of resilient spring arms extending laterally from opposite sides of the centerbody, the centerbody and the spring arms collectively defining an arcuate shape; and(iii) at least one locating feature extending from the balance weight;(c) wherein the spring arms and the centerbody resiliently bear against the flange and the second hub surface, respectively, so as to retain the balance weight in the pocket;(d) performing a balancing operation on the rotor assembly to determine a new position for the balance weight;(e) inserting a tool into the pocket to disengage the balance weight from the pocket;(f) using the tool, moving the balance weight to the new position within the pocket; and(g) removing the tool so as to permit the spring arms and the centerbody to resiliently bear against the flange and the hub surface, respectively, so as to retain the balance weight in the pocket. 17. The method of claim 16 wherein the tool comprises: (a) an elongated handle;(b) a curved head disposed at an end of the handle; and(c) a pair of spanner fingers extending laterally from distal ends of the handle.