Support structure for bearing compartment
AssigneeRtx Corporation
InventorsLawrence A. Binek, Christopher D. Ramsey, Benjamin G. Gardell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
According to an aspect, a support structure is integrally formed with a bearing compartment. The support structure includes a plurality of vertical supports and horizontal supports. The vertical supports and horizontal supports include one or more features to support machining of the bearing compartment and removal of the support structure from the bearing compartment.
Claims20
A support structure integrally formed with a bearing compartment, the support structure comprising:
- a plurality of vertical supports and horizontal supports comprising one or more features to support machining of the bearing compartment and removal of the support structure from the bearing compartment prior to installation of the bearing compartment into a rotating apparatus;
- a lower portion that contacts with a first region of a housing of the bearing compartment;
- an upper portion that extends from the first region to a second region of the housing that is radially inward of the first region;
- and
- a sidewall support that extends axially between the lower portion and the upper portion, wherein the sidewall support connects the lower portion to the upper portion.
A method of manufacturing a support structure integrally formed with a bearing compartment, the method comprising:
- additively manufacturing a lower portion of the support structure in contact with a first region of a housing of the bearing compartment;
- and
- additively manufacturing an upper portion of the support structure that extends from the first region to a second region of the housing that is radially inward of the first region, wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of vertical supports and horizontal supports with one or more features to support machining of the bearing compartment and removal of the support structure from the bearing compartment;
- additively manufacturing a sidewall support that extends axially between the lower portion and the upper portion, wherein the sidewall support connects the lower portion to the upper portion;
- and
- machining the bearing compartment to remove the support structure from the bearing compartment prior to installation of the bearing compartment into a rotating apparatus.
A method of processing a support structure integrally formed with a bearing compartment, the method comprising:
- positioning the support structure for machining of the bearing compartment using one or more features of the support structure, wherein the support structure comprises a lower portion in contact with a first region of a housing of the bearing compartment and an upper portion that extends from the first region to a second region of the housing that is radially inward of the first region, and a sidewall support that extends axially between the lower portion and the upper portion, wherein the sidewall support connects the lower portion to the upper portion;
- removing the lower portion of the support structure prior to installation of the bearing compartment into a rotating apparatus;
- and
- removing the upper portion of the support structure prior to installation of the bearing compartment into the rotating apparatus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.