# US 7,744,344 B2 · Vane coupling > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,744,344 B2 - Document ID: US7744344B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/395,150 - Filed: 2006-04-03 - Published: 2006-11-02 - Granted: 2010-06-29 - Earliest claimed: 2005-04-30 - Assignees: ROLLS-ROYCE plc - Inventors: Steven M Hillier; William Richards - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7744344B2 ## CPC - F01D 9/06: Fluid supply conduits to nozzles or the like - F01D 9/065: {Fluid supply or removal conduits traversing the working fluid flow, e.g. for lubrication-, cooling-, or sealing fluids (see also F01D25/16, F01D25/24 and F01D25/26)} - F05D 2260/33: with a bayonet coupling - F16B 2200/503: the flange being separate from the elements to be connected - F16B 2200/506: bolted or riveted - F16B 2200/509: clamped - Y10S 285/913: Interdigitating - F01D: NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES (machines or engines for liquids F03; non-positive displacement pumps F04D) - F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract Vanes are generally hollow with a passage through which service pipes extend. These service pipes must be connected such that they can allow for thermal expansion and contraction but also anti rotation features are needed in order to prevent damage when a supply coupling is connected through a pipe end. This anti-rotation feature is generally provided between a top hat and a pipe end through flanges. In order to allow reduced spacing between the top of the vane and a casing the flanges are arranged to allow at least recessing of a first flange into a passage opening profile whereby those flanges inter-engage with second flanges at a surface interface to prevent rotation. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vane mounting arrangement for a gas turbine engine, the arrangement comprising: a pipe end having a first lateral flange; and a top hat member having a second lateral flange, wherein the first lateral flange and the second lateral flange engage upon each other in use to prevent rotation between the pipe end and the top hat, the first lateral flange and the second lateral flange being offset relative to each other, said pipe end and said top hat including means to secure them together, wherein said means to secure together the top hat member and the pipe end comprises a screw thread on the pipe end extending through the top hat member and a nut for securing on the screw thread to clamp the top hat member between said nut and said pipe end. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first lateral flange and the second flange member are asymmetrical about a lateral direction of the first and the second lateral flanges in their respective pipe end and top hat member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first and the second lateral flange are truncated collar segments extending away from a longitudinal axis for the pipe end and the top hat member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pipe end and the top hat member incorporate two pairs of first and second lateral flanges arranged in diametrically opposite parts of the respective pipe end and top hat member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first and second lateral flanges have keyed associative engagement therebetween. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) An arrangement as claimed in claim 5 wherein the keyed associative engagement is through reciprocal castellations. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) An arrangement as claimed in claim 6 wherein the keyed associative engagement is through segment engagement between the first lateral flange and the second lateral flange. ### Claim 8 A vane mounting arrangement for a gas turbine engine, the arrangement comprising a hollow vane to accommodate a pipe in a passage or cavity with a pipe end for engaging a top hat member, the pipe end having a first lateral flange and the top hat member having a second lateral flange which engage upon each other in use to prevent rotation, the arrangement characterized in that the first lateral flange and the second lateral flange are offset relative to each other to allow recession of at least part of the first lateral flange into a passage profile of the passage or cavity. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) An arrangement as claimed in claim 8 wherein the second lateral flange may also extend within the passage profile. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) An arrangement as claimed in claim 8 wherein the top hat member is anchored to a casing. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) An arrangement as claimed in claim 8 wherein the first lateral flange and the second flange member are asymmetrical about a lateral direction of the first and the second lateral flanges in their respective pipe end and top hat member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) An arrangement as claimed in claim 8 wherein the first and the second lateral flanges are truncated collar segments extending away from a longitudinal axis for the pipe end and the top hat member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) An arrangement as claimed in claim 8 wherein the pipe end and the top hat member incorporate two pairs of first and second lateral flanges arranged in diametrically opposite parts of the respective pipe end and top hat member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) An arrangement as claimed in claim 8 wherein the first and the second lateral flanges have keyed associative engagement therebetween. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) An arrangement as claimed in claim 14 wherein that keyed associative engagement is through reciprocal castellations. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) An arrangement as claimed in claim 15 wherein the keyed associative engagement is through segment engagement between the first lateral flange and the second lateral flange. ### Claim 17 (depends on 8) An arrangement as claimed in claim 8 wherein an outer surface of the first and/or second lateral flange is shaped for consistency with the passage profile in use. ### Claim 18 (depends on 8) An arrangement as claimed in claim 8 wherein the pipe end and the top hat include means to secure them together. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) An arrangement as claimed in claim 18 wherein the means to secure together the top hat member and the pipe end comprises a screw thread on the pipe end extending through the top hat member and a nut for securing on the screw thread to clamp the top hat member between said nut and said pipe end.