US Patent 10066485 Turbomachine blade cover plate having radial cooling groove

A turbomachine blade may include an airfoil and a shank coupled to the airfoil. The shank may include a cover plate having a first circumferential face and a second, opposing circumferential face. A radial cooling groove is positioned in the first circumferential face and is configured to allow a cooling fluid to pass from a first radial position to a second, different radial position relative to the platform. The radial cooling groove provides cover plate and shank cooling. In addition, the radial cooling groove may deliver fluid for purging gaps between blade platforms and cover plates, which prevents the ingestion of hot gas from the turbine flowpath.