Exhaust liner deflection limiter

A method for connecting a deflection limiter system to an exhaust sidewall liner, the method comprising:

• inserting a T-bolt through a first aperture and a rectangular, second aperture, the T-bolt having a head with at least one straight edge and a shape corresponding to the first aperture and the second aperture, the head being connected to an end of an elongate shaft, and the first aperture being in a static structure section and the second aperture being on a concealed side of a hollow exhaust liner, proximate to the first aperture;
• rotating the T-bolt approximately a quarter-turn;
• placing a spacer onto the elongate shaft, the spacer comprising:
• a chimney with an aperture extending from a first end to a second end for receiving the elongate shaft;
• a flange disposed on the first end of the chimney;
• and
• an anti-rotation tab disposed on the second end of the chimney near an edge of the second end;
• wherein a diameter of the elongate shaft is less than a major dimension of the aperture of the spacer such that a gap exists between the bolt and spacer when the spacer is inserted over the bolt;
• and
• inserting the spacer into the first aperture and the second aperture such that the straight edge engages with the anti-rotation tab, thereby preventing rotation of the T-bolt.

A system for limiting deflection of an exhaust sidewall liner on a variable geometry exhaust duct, the system comprising:

• the exhaust sidewall liner;
• a static structure;
• and
• an exhaust liner deflection limiter connecting the exhaust sidewall liner to the static structure, the exhaust liner deflection limiter comprising:
• a spacer positioned in the static structure, the spacer comprising:
• a chimney having a first side and a second side opposite of the first side and further including an aperture wherein the aperture extends from the first side to the second side;
• a flange, the flange being disposed on the first side;
• and
• at least one anti-rotation tab, the anti-rotation tab being disposed on the second side near an edge of the second side;
• a stud having a head and a shaft, the head being positioned in the exhaust sidewall liner and the shaft extending through the spacer;
• and
• a fastener connected to the shaft to secure the exhaust sidewall liner to the static structure;
• wherein the chimney aperture is oblong in cross-sectional shape, the oblong defining a major dimension and a minor dimension;
• and
• wherein a diameter of the shaft is less than the major dimension of the chimney aperture such that a gap exists between the bolt and spacer when the spacer is inserted over the bolt.