Patent ID: 7645117

Claim:
A method of assembling a rotary machine including a casing, said method comprising: providing at least two substantially identical members comprising a mating surface and having a substantially semi-circular cross-sectional profile; assembling a bling assembly by coupling the at least two members together at their mating surfaces such that a substantially circular ring is formed and such that the mating surfaces define a substantially horizontal joint; machining substantially concentric, circular and annular radially inner and outer and airfoil portions within predetermined radial portions of the bling assembly; machining a seal ring carrier extension adjacent to the radially outer portion of the airfoil, wherein the seal ring carrier extension is formed integrally with the outer portion, and wherein the seal ring carrier extension includes a first seal ring groove that is at least partially defined by an axially downstream wall and by at least one seal band seating surface, said axially downstream wall at least partially defines a steam sealing surface; and inserting at least one seal ring band into the first seal ring groove and positioning a plurality of springs between the at least one seal ring band and at least a portion of the seal ring carrier extension.