Mechanical linkage for segmented heat shield
AssigneeUnited Technologies Corporation
InventorsMatthew Budnick, Conway Chuong, Jonathan Ariel Scott
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A turbine exhaust case comprises a frame, a fairing, a heat shield and a mechanical linkage. The frame comprises an outer ring, an inner ring, and a plurality of struts joining the outer ring and the inner ring. The fairing comprising a ring-strut-ring structure disposed within the frame. The heat shield is disposed between the frame and the fairing. The mechanical linkage couples the heat shield to the fairing. In one embodiment, the heat shield comprises a multi-piece heat shield that inhibits heat transfer between the frame and the fairing. In various embodiments, the mechanical linkage comprises a slip joint or a fixed joint for coupling the heat shield to the fairing.
Claims12
A turbine exhaust case comprising:
- a frame comprising:
- an outer ring;
- an inner ring;
- and
- a plurality of struts joining the outer ring and the inner ring to define a load path between the outer ring and the inner ring;
- a fairing comprising a structure that lines the load path;
- a heat shield disposed between the frame and the fairing to inhibit heat transfer between the frame and the fairing, wherein the heat shield comprises:
- a first inner heat shield segment extending axially between the inner ring of the frame and the fairing from a first end to a second end;
- and
- a second inner heat shield segment extending axially between the inner ring of the frame and the fairing from a third end to a fourth end, wherein the second end and the third end overlap to provide a line-of-sight obstruction between the frame and the fairing, and wherein the first and second inner heat shield segments are separated to form a circuitous path extending between the frame and the fairing and between overlapping portions of the first and second inner heat shield segments;
- a first mechanical linkage that couples the first inner heat shield segment to the inner ring of the frame;
- and
- a second mechanical linkage that couples the second inner heat shield segment to the fairing.
A system for mounting a heat shield within a turbine structural case, the system comprising:
- a fairing for lining the turbine structural case;
- a heat shield comprising a thin-walled structure spaced from and extending across the fairing within the turbine structural case, wherein the heat shield includes a segment extending from a first end to a second end, the second end forming a hook;
- a slip joint coupling the second end of the segment to the fairing, wherein the slip joint comprises:
- a shelf formed by a radial projection extending from the fairing and an axial projection extending from the radial projection, wherein the axial projection is spaced from the fairing by the radial projection;
- and
- a slot formed in the axial projection of the shelf adapted to receive the hook, wherein the segment extends between the fairing and the axial projection of the shelf;
- a fixed joint coupling the first end of the segment to the fairing at a thickened location of the segment having an increased thickness relative to an adjacent portion of the segment.
A turbine exhaust case comprising:
- a frame comprising:
- an outer ring;
- an inner ring;
- and
- a plurality of struts joining the outer ring and the inner ring to define a load path between the outer ring and the inner ring;
- a fairing comprising a structure that lines the load path;
- a heat shield disposed between the frame and the fairing to inhibit heat transfer between the frame and the fairing, wherein the heat shield comprises:
- a first inner heat shield segment extending axially between the inner ring of the frame and the fairing from a first end to a second end;
- and
- a second inner heat shield segment extending axially between the inner ring of the frame and the fairing from a third end to a fourth end, wherein the second end and the third end overlap to provide a line-of-sight obstruction between the frame and the fairing;
- a first mechanical linkage that couples the first inner heat shield segment to the inner ring of the frame;
- and
- a second mechanical linkage that couples the second inner heat shield segment to the fairing, wherein the second mechanical linkage comprises:
- a flange extending from the fairing to form a slot, wherein a third end of the second inner heat shield segment is inserted into the slot;
- a bushing extending from the fairing;
- an oblong opening in the second inner heat shield segment and through which the bushing extends;
- a lip extending from the bushing to prevent the oblong slot from disengaging the bushing;
- and
- a threaded fastener extending through the bushing and into a bore to secure the bushing to the fairing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.