Fusible gearbox support with catcher pin systems and methods
AssigneeRtx Corporation
InventorSteven Michael Danley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An assembly for mounting an auxiliary component to an engine case for a gas turbine engine includes a support bracket and a locator comprising a fusible guide pin extending at least partially into a first aperture disposed in the support bracket, and a catcher pin extending at least partially into a second aperture disposed in the support bracket. The fusible guide pin is configured to fracture to absorb energy while the catcher pin limits system displacement during and post an overload event, thus reducing the energy transmitted to the auxiliary component (e.g., a gearbox housing).
Claims20
An assembly for mounting an auxiliary component to an engine case of a gas turbine engine, the engine case having a first flange extending circumferentially around the engine case and a second flange extending circumferentially around the engine case, the assembly comprising:
- a support bracket, the support bracket having a first end configured for attachment to the first flange of the engine case, a second end configured for attachment to the second flange of the engine case, and an intermediate portion located intermediate the first end and the second end;
- a first aperture disposed in the intermediate portion;
- a second aperture disposed in the intermediate portion;
- and
- a locator comprising a plate member, a fusible guide pin extending from the plate member at least partially into the first aperture, and a catcher pin extending from the plate member at least partially into the second aperture.
A gas turbine engine, comprising:
- an engine case, the engine case including a first flange extending circumferentially around the engine case and a second flange extending circumferentially around the engine case;
- a support bracket, the support bracket having a first end configured for attachment to the first flange of the engine case, a second end configured for attachment to the second flange of the engine case, and an intermediate portion located intermediate the first end and the second end;
- a first aperture disposed in the intermediate portion;
- a second aperture disposed in the intermediate portion;
- and
- a locator comprising a plate member, a fusible guide pin extending from the plate member at least partially into the first aperture, and a catcher pin extending from the plate member at least partially into the second aperture.
An apparatus for mounting an auxiliary component to an engine case of a gas turbine engine, the engine case having a first flange extending circumferentially around the engine case and a second flange extending circumferentially around the engine case, the apparatus comprising:
- a support bracket including a first end configured for attachment to the first flange of the engine case and a second end configured for attachment to the second flange of the engine case;
- and
- a locator including a plate member, a fusible guide pin extending from the plate member in a first direction, a catcher pin extending from the plate member in the first direction, and a third pin extending from the plate member in a second direction, opposite the first direction;
- wherein the third pin is disposed substantially coaxially with the fusible guide pin, and the support bracket is configured to receive the fusible guide pin and the catcher pin.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.