Patent ID: 8905717
Filing Date: 2014-12-09
Classification: F01D

Abstract:
1. A retention system for a plurality of turbine buckets located in respective mating slots in a turbine rotor wheel, the retention system comprising: a plurality of first circumferentially-oriented retention slots formed in outer peripheral portions of the turbine wheel; a plurality of second circumferentially-oriented retention slots formed in wheel mounting portions of said buckets, said first and second retention slots aligned to form an annular lockwire retention slot; a lockwire located within said annular lockwire retention slot, said lockwire having free ends; a first surface feature and a third surface on one or both of said turbine rotor wheel and one or more of said plurality of turbine buckets, wherein the first and third surface features protrude into one or more of the first and second retention slots and the first and third surfaces are separated by a certain distance along the retention slots; and a second surface feature on said lockwire adapted to engage with said first and third surface features on one or both of said turbine rotor wheel and one or more of said plurality of turbine buckets so as to permit circumferential rotation of said lockwire within the certain distance and to prevent circumferential rotation beyond said certain distance during operation of a turbine including the turbine wheel.