Gas turbine engine with shaft retention system
AssigneePratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
InventorEric S. Durocher
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A gas turbine engine is provided that includes a compressor section, a combustor, a turbine section, an engine shaft, a shaft retention system, and an axial centerline. The engine shaft is engaged with the compressor section and the turbine section. The engine shaft has an aft end and axially extends along the axial centerline of the engine. The shaft retention system includes a shaft nut and a shaft retainer. The shaft nut is attached to the aft end of the engine shaft. The shaft retainer is mounted for axial translation normal to the axial centerline. The shaft retainer is disposable in an engaged configuration wherein the shaft retainer is coupled with the shaft nut, and in a disengaged configuration wherein the shaft retainer is disengaged with the shaft nut.
Claims20
A gas turbine engine having an axial centerline, comprising:
- a compressor section;
- a combustor;
- a turbine section;
- an engine shaft engaged with the compressor section and the turbine section, the engine shaft having an aft end, wherein the engine shaft axially extends along the axial centerline of the engine;
- and
- a shaft retention system that includes:
- a shaft nut attached to the aft end of the engine shaft;
- and
- a shaft retainer mounted for axial translation normal to the axial centerline;
- wherein the shaft retainer is disposable in an engaged configuration wherein the shaft retainer is coupled with the shaft nut, and in a disengaged configuration wherein the shaft retainer is disengaged with the shaft nut;
- and
- wherein the shaft retention system includes a shaft retainer spring that normally biases the shaft retainer in the disengaged configuration.
A gas turbine engine having an axial centerline, comprising:
- a compressor section;
- a combustor;
- a turbine section;
- an engine shaft engaged with the compressor section and the turbine section, the engine shaft having an aft end, wherein the engine shaft axially extends along the axial centerline of the engine;
- and
- a shaft retention system that includes:
- a shaft nut attached to the aft end of the engine shaft;
- a shaft retainer mounted for axial translation normal to the axial centerline;
- wherein the shaft retainer is disposable in an engaged configuration wherein the shaft retainer is coupled with the shaft nut, and in a disengaged configuration wherein the shaft retainer is disengaged with the shaft nut;
- wherein the shaft retainer includes a first mechanical feature and the shaft nut includes a second mechanical feature and in the engaged configuration the first mechanical feature and the second mechanical feature are disposed in a mating configuration that axially secures the engine shaft;
- wherein the shaft retainer includes a post extending outwardly from an engagement segment, and the first mechanical feature is disposed in the engagement segment;
- wherein the first mechanical feature is a slot disposed in the engagement segment;
- wherein the engagement segment (ES) is curved at a radius and has an ES inner radial surface and the slot is disposed in the ES inner radial surface;
- wherein the second mechanical feature is a flange that extends radially outward from an outer perimeter surface of the shaft nut, and the flange is configured to be received within the slot;
- wherein the shaft retention system includes a bearing housing configured to support the shaft retainer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.