Multidirectionally compliant fastening system
AssigneeSiemens Power Generation, Inc.
InventorDavid D. North
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fastening system has at least one peripheral spring and at least one peripherally expandable bushing, with the peripheral spring being at least partially enclosed within the peripherally expandable bushing. The peripheral spring and peripherally expandable bushing each contain axial openings for receiving an elongated fastening member to secure two dissimilar structures together. The peripheral spring can be a spring bushing. The spring bushing can comprise a series of radially outwardly bowed ribs joined at one end by a fixed hoop. The axial spring can be a spring washer. The peripherally expandable bushing can be a split bushing.
Claims19
A fastening system comprising:
- a turbine engine component operatively connected to a turbine engine and having an opening;
- at least one peripheral spring having a series of longitudinally-bowed ribs;
- at least one bushing, wherein said peripheral spring is at least partially enclosed within said bushing, wherein said peripheral spring and said bushing are at least partially disposed within the opening in said turbine engine component, wherein said bushing peripherally expands to accommodate radially outward movement of said peripheral spring;
- wherein said peripheral spring and bushing each contain axial openings for receiving an elongated fastening member to secure the turbine engine component and another turbine engine component made of a dissimilar material together.
A fastening system providing multi-directional compliance comprising:
- a ceramic turbine engine component operatively connected to a turbine engine and having an opening;
- a clevis having a set of opposing openings, wherein said opening in said ceramic turbine engine component is positioned between and in alignment with said set of opposing openings in said clevis, wherein said aligned openings receive at least a portion of a fastener assembly;
- said fastener assembly including a bolt, a nut, spring washers, a split bushing and a spring bushing;
- wherein said spring bushing is at least partially enclosed within said split bushing, wherein the spring bushing includes a series of longitudinally bowed ribs, wherein said split bushing and spring bushing are at least partially disposed within said opening in said ceramic turbine engine component, wherein said spring bushing is spaced from said openings in said clevis;
- wherein said spring washers are positioned between said aligning openings of said clevis and said ceramic turbine engine component;
- and
- said bolt extending axially through the aligning openings of said clevis and said ceramic turbine engine component, said bolt having opposing ends with a head at one end of said bolt and said nut being secured to the other end of said bolt.
A fastening system providing multi-directional compliance comprising:
- a first turbine engine component operatively connected to a turbine engine and having at least one opening;
- a second turbine engine component having at least one opening, wherein said openings permit the insertion of an elongated fastener;
- at least one axial spring operatively positioned between said first and said second turbine engine components for providing resilient compliance between said first and said second turbine engine components along an axis;
- and
- at least one peripheral spring for providing resilient compliance between said first and said second turbine engine components transversely to said axis, wherein said at least one peripheral spring is disposed at least partially within said at least one opening in said second turbine engine component, wherein said at least one peripheral spring includes a series of longitudinally-bowed ribs.
A fastening system providing multi-directional compliance comprising:
- a first structure having at least one opening;
- a second structure having at least one opening, wherein said openings permit the insertion of an elongated fastener;
- at least one axial spring operatively positioned between said first and said second structures for providing resilient compliance between said first and said second structures along an axis;
- and
- at least one peripheral spring for providing resilient compliance between said first and said second structures transversely to said axis, wherein said at least one peripheral spring is disposed at least partially within said at least one opening in said second structure, wherein said at least one peripheral spring is spaced from said at least one opening in said first structure,
- wherein said first structure is made of metal, wherein said axial spring directly contacts said first structure and said peripheral spring, and wherein said second structure is made from one of the group of metals, ceramics and composites.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.