Retention arrangement

#The present invention relates to retention arrangements and more particularly to retention arrangements in the form of a split ring to retain association between components.

#It will be understood that particularly in relation to engines where there are rotating shafts it is important to retain association between coverplate seals and other components such as a retaining disc for blades.

#Referring to FIG. 1, a gas turbine engine is generally indicated at 10 and comprises, in axial flow series, an air intake 11, a propulsive fan 12, an intermediate pressure compressor 13, a high pressure compressor 14, combustion equipment 15, a high pressure turbine 16, an intermediate pressure turbine 17, a low pressure turbine 18 and an exhaust nozzle 19.

#Embodiments of certain aspects of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which

#FIG. 1 illustrates a gas turbine engine;

#FIG. 2 illustrates a typical prior retention arrangement for a coverplate secured to a disc through a retention ring;

#Providing a retention arrangement which is both sufficiently robust for operational use as well as convenient to allow assembly and disassembly is important but, as indicated above, it is also important to avoid problems with unequalisation in load distribution in the arrangement and the potential for rolling and uneven loading of the arrangement.

#FIG. 3 illustrates a retention arrangement in accordance with first aspects of the present invention. Thus, a coverplate 31 is retained relative to a disc 32 by a retainer 33 in the form of a split ring. For the avoidance of doubt the aspects of the invention as depicted in FIG. 3 are described relative to a coverplate 31 and a disc 32 but it will be understood that the arrangement is particularly related to associating a first member with a second member through an interference engagement by the retainer 33.

#The retainer 33 is located within a recess 35 to allow movement of the retainer 33 generally in a displacement direction to facilitate assembly and disassembly. In such circumstances it will be understood that the retainer 33 can be moved in the direction of arrowhead A either into or out of the recess 35 as a result of positive action using a displacement tool or to take account of shrinkage or other distortions of the retainer during assembly and through environmental factors such as temperature, etc.