Bearing preload using external gearbox reaction
AssigneePratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
InventorsLouis BRILLON, Alain CARRIERES
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of operating a gas turbine engine in a multi-engine aircraft, the gas turbine engine having an engine shaft mounted for rotation in a bearing and a gearbox connected to the engine shaft for torque transmission therebetween, includes axially preloading the bearing using an axially biasing element disposed between the gas turbine engine and the gearbox. The axially biasing element reacts against the gearbox to exert an axial preload force on the bearing and the engine shaft of the gas turbine engine.
Claims16
A method of operating a gas turbine engine in a multi-engine aircraft, the gas turbine engine having an engine shaft mounted for rotation in a bearing, and a gearbox connected to the engine shaft for torque transmission therebetween, the method comprising axially preloading the bearing using an axially biasing element disposed between the gas turbine engine and the gearbox, wherein the axially biasing element reacts against the gearbox to exert an axial preload force on the bearing and the engine shaft of the gas turbine engine.
A multi-engine aircraft comprising:
- at least two prime mover gas turbine engines each capable of providing motive power in flight to the aircraft and respectively including an engine casing supporting an engine shaft mounted for rotation in a bearing;
- a gearbox including a gearbox housing mounted to the engine casing with a gimbal joint, the gearbox housing supporting a rotary connector shaft;
- and
- an axially flexible coupling including an axially biasing element disposed between the gas turbine engine and the gearbox, the axially biasing element configured to bias against the gearbox housing to exert an axial preload force on the engine shaft and the bearing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.