Methods and apparatus for sealing gas turbine engine variable nozzles
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsMichael Jay Toffan, Paul Evan Zimpelmann, David Jay Harris
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A gas turbine engine variable geometry exhaust nozzle including a seal system that facilitates extending a useful life of the engine variable geometry system is described. The seal system includes a backbone and an attachment assembly. The attachment assembly frictionally engages the backbone to secure the attachment assembly to the backbone. The attachment assembly includes a plurality of clamp sub-assemblies and base sheet fabricated from a ceramic matrix composite material. The clamp sub-assemblies are clamped through openings extending through the base sheet, such that a predetermined amount of preload force is applied to the base sheet.
Claims20
A method for assembling a seal system for gas turbine engine exhaust nozzle, the seal system including an attachment assembly and a backbone, the attachment assembly including a non-metallic base sheet and a plurality of clamp sub-assemblies, the base sheet including a plurality of openings, said method comprising the steps of:
- inserting a clamp sub-assembly through each non-metallic base sheet opening;
- and
- frictionally engaging the backbone with the clamp sub-assemblies such that the attachment sub-assembly is secured to the backbone.
A seal assembly for a gas turbine engine exhaust nozzle, said seal assembly comprising:
- a backbone;
- and
- an attachment sub-assembly comprising a base sheet and a plurality of clamp sub-assemblies, at least one of said clamp sub-assemblies configured to frictionally engage said backbone to secure said attachment sub-assembly to said backbone such that said base sheet is secured against said clamp sub-assemblies with a preload force, said base sheet fabricated from a non-metallic material.
A gas turbine engine comprising a variable engine exhaust nozzle comprising a seal system coupled to said engine exhaust nozzle, said seal system comprising an attachment assembly and a backbone, said attachment assembly comprising a base sheet fabricated from a non-metallic material, and a plurality of clamp sub-assemblies, at least one of said clamp sub-assemblies configured to frictionally engage said backbone to secure said attachment sub-assembly to said backbone such that said base sheet is secured against said clamp sub-assemblies with a preload force.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.