Aerodynamic fastener shield for turbomachine

A fastener shield for use in a fluid flow path within a gas turbine engine for reducing fluid drag and heating generated by fluid flow over a plurality of circumferentially spaced fasteners, the fasteners having a portion thereof extending into the fluid flow path, the fastener shield comprising:

• (a) a radially-extending, downstream-facing mounting flange having a plurality of circumferentially spaced bolt holes positioned to receive respective engine mounting bolts therethrough and to attach the mounting flange to elements of the turbine engine;
• and
• (b) a curved, upstream-facing fastener shield cover integrally-formed with and positioned in spaced-apart relation to the mounting flange for at least partially covering and separating an exposed, upstream-facing portion of the bolts from the fluid flow to thereby reduce drag and consequent heating of the bolts, the curved shield cover comprising a bellmouth shape characterized by a progressive curve that simultaneously extends axially upstream against the direction of fluid flow and radially outwardly to a terminus positioned in a plane defined by an extended longitudinal axis of the bolt.

A fastener shield for use in a fluid flow path within a gas turbine engine for reducing fluid drag and heating generated by fluid flow over a plurality of circumferentially spaced fasteners, the fasteners having a portion thereof extending into the fluid flow path, the fastener shield comprising a plurality of arcuate elements joined to collectively define:

• (a) an annular, radially-extending, downstream-facing mounting flange having a plurality of circumferentially spaced bolt holes positioned to receive respective engine mounting bolts therethrough and to attach the mounting flange to elements of the turbine engine;
• and
• (b) a curved, upstream-facing fastener shield cover positioned in spaced-apart relation to the mounting flange for at least partially covering and separating an exposed, upstream-facing portion of the bolts from the fluid flow to thereby reduce drag and consequent heating of the bolts, the curved shield cover comprising a bellmouth shape characterized by a progressive curve that simultaneously extends axially upstream against the direction of fluid flow and radially outwardly to a terminus positioned in a plane defined by an extended longitudinal axis of the bolt.