US Patent 9546555 Tapered part-span shroud

A rotatable blade for use in a turbomachine includes an airfoil portion having a leading edge, a trailing edge a radially-inner end and a radially-outer end; a root section at to the radially-inner end of the airfoil portion, and a part-span shroud located on the airfoil portion between the root section and the radially-outer end. The part-span shroud decreases in width and thickness from decreasing in width and thickness from the airfoil portion to a contact surface adapted to engage a mating contact surface on a part-span shroud of an adjacent blade.