Methods and apparatus for supporting variable bypass valve systems
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsKenneth Alan Bachelder, Donald James Welty
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method enables a gas turbine engine variable bypass valve system to be assembled. The method comprises positioning a unison ring circumferentially within the gas turbine engine such that the unison ring is radially outward from a structural frame, coupling at least one bellcrank to the unison ring, such that the unison ring is radially supported only by said at least one bellcrank, and coupling the at least one bellcrank to a bellcrank support that is coupled to the structural frame.
Claims20
A method for assembling a gas turbine engine variable bypass valve system, said method comprising:
- positioning a unison ring to extend circumferentially within the gas turbine engine such that the unison ring is radially outward from a structural frame;
- coupling at least one bellcrank to the unison ring, such that the unison ring is radially supported only by said at least one bellcrank;
- and
- coupling the at least one bellcrank to a bellcrank support that is coupled to the structural frame.
A variable bypass valve (VBV) system for a gas turbine engine, said VBV system comprising:
- a plurality of bellcranks spaced circumferentially within the gas turbine engine;
- and
- an annular unison ring coupled to said plurality of bellcranks for controlling actuation of said plurality of bellcranks, said unison ring radially supported only by said plurality of bellcranks.
A gas turbine engine comprising:
- a structural frame extending circumferentially within said gas turbine engine;
- and
- a variable bypass valve (VBV) system for selectively controlling air flowing through at least a portion of said gas turbine engine, said VBV system comprising at least one bellcrank rotatably coupled to said structural frame, and an annular unison ring coupled to said at least one bellcrank such that said unison ring is radially supported only by said at least one bellcrank, said unison ring for selectively controlling actuation of said at least one bellcrank.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.