Retainer for segmented annular heat shield

A wheel assembly comprising:

• an inboard wheel portion comprising a rim and a disk, wherein a radially inward surface of the rim and an inboard surface of the disk define a wheel well cavity configured to house a brake assembly;
• a torque bar of the brake assembly mounted to the inboard wheel portion;
• and
• a retainer coupled to the torque bar and disposed radially between the torque bar and the radially inward surface of the rim of the inboard wheel portion, the retainer comprising a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a body extending between the first end and the second end, wherein the body comprises opposing longitudinal sides configured to respectively engage and retain a respective heat shield segment of a segmented annular heat shield, and wherein the second end comprises a flange defining a second aperture, the second aperture being a closed loop extending substantially perpendicular to the opposing longitudinal sides.

A method of assembling a wheel assembly, the method comprising:

• mounting a first torque bar to an inboard wheel portion of the wheel assembly such that a first retainer is disposed between the first torque bar and a radially inward surface of a rim of the inboard wheel portion, the first torque bar having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a first flange and a second flange forming a first groove, the first flange and the second flange each extending a length of the first torque bar between the first end and the second end;
• mounting a second torque bar to the inboard wheel portion of the wheel assembly such that a second retainer is disposed between the second torque bar and the radially inward surface of a rim of the inboard wheel portion, wherein the second torque bar is circumferentially spaced apart from the first torque bar, the second torque bar having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a third flange and a fourth flange forming a second groove, the third flange and the fourth flange each extending a length of the second torque bar between the first end and the second end;
• and
• engaging lateral edges of a heat shield segment with the first retainer and the second retainer via the first groove of the first retainer and the second groove of the second retainer.