Blade-to-hub mounting concept assures excellent alignment integrity and results in elimination of some welding problems associated with designs. With this design, if rework is required, blade removal and replacement may be readily accomplished without damage to blade positioning media on the wheel hub

King, O. D.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

December 1966	 Brief 66-10620 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Tech Briefs are issued to summarize specific innovations derived from the U.S. space program, 
to encourage their commercial application. Copies are available to the public at 15 cents each 
from the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. 
Turbine Blade Root Design Concept Promises Superior Alignment 
Clamp
[1-i I J—&,J	 Angle Equals Clearance 
Hi	 When Rotating Blades Into Place • 1	 -	 Rotate Blades Into Place 
I''(I-1	
ill 
I '	 ----- I4__Kest ,.. I (	 / 
L,/ 11	 '>,' 
WeIdY	 (
.V	 Weld 
Clamp	 Wheel Hub 
Locking-Key Assembly Of
	
"'[	
I 
Blades To Hub Prohibits 
Misaligment And Sucking-
	 I In When Welding	 /	 I 
TURBINE WHEEL ASSEMBLY 
The problem: 
Turbine wheels used in turbopump applications 
are assembled with minimum tolerances. Minor mis-
alignment of blades or slight warpage results in ex-
pensive reworking or scrapping of wheels or 
blades. 
The solution: 
A blade-to-hub mounting concept that should as-
sure excellent alignment integrity and result in elimi-
nation of some welding problems associated with 
present designs. 
How it's done: 
The turbine wheel is designed with a semisocket 
at its outer perimeter and on - one side only. The 
opposite side of the wheel outer perimeter is ma-
chined off into an inclined plane. The blade roots 
are designed with their bases machined out to form 
a semiball on one side and angular projection on 
(continued overleaf) 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States 	 will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19660000618 2020-03-11T17:46:14+00:00Z
the other. In assembly, each blade has its semiball 
segment pressed into a wheel's mating semisocket 
with the blade at about a 600 angle to the plane of 
the wheel. The blade is then rotated upward to the 
vertical, at which point its angular projection is in 
intimate contact with the wheel's inclined plane op-
posite the semisocket. The blade is then clamped firmly 
in this position and welds are made on each side to 
lock it firmly in place. 
Notes: 
I. With this design, if rework is required, blade 
removal and replacement may be readily accom-
plished without damage to blade positioning 
media on the wheel hub. 
2. This development is in conceptual stage only, 
and as of date of publication of this Tech Brief, 
neither a model nor prototype has been con-
structed.
3. Inquiries concerning this innovation may be di-
rected to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Marshall Space Flight Center 
Huntsville, Alabama 35812 
Reference: B66-10620 
Patent status: 
No patent action is contemplated by NASA. 
Source: 0. D. King

of North American Aviation, Inc.

under contract to
Marshall Space Flight Center 
(M-FS-1 685) 
Brief 66-10620	 Category 05


Turbine blade root design concept promises superior alignment

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