Turbine engine coupling stack
AssigneeUnited Technologies Corporation
InventorsChristopher M. Juh, Pedro Laureano
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An example coupling stack includes a first rotating member and a second rotating member. A plurality of aligned slots is defined in the first rotating member and the second rotating member. A tab lock is provided having an annular body with an axial front side, an axial back side, and a radial inner periphery. Tabs are formed on the axial back side and inserted into the plurality of aligned slots. The annular body of the tab lock also includes a plurality of openings extending into the radial inner periphery. A plurality of flanges is provided on the axial back side of the annular body adjacent to the plurality of openings.
Claims18
A coupling stack comprising:
- a first rotating member;
- a second rotating member;
- a plurality of aligned slots defined in the first rotating member and the second rotating member;
- and
- a tab lock having an annular body with an axial front side and an axial back side, the annular body including:
- a plurality of openings extending into a radial inner periphery of the annular body,
- a plurality of circumferentially extending flanges on the axial back side of the annular body adjacent to the plurality of openings, and
- a plurality of tabs, each tab formed adjacent a circumferential end of one of the plurality of flanges, wherein at least a portion of each tab is inserted into one of the plurality of aligned slots.
A coupling stack comprising:
- a first rotating member;
- a second rotating member;
- a plurality of aligned slots defined in the first rotating member and the second rotating member;
- and
- an annular interlocking mechanism, having:
- at least one opening extending into a radial inner periphery of the interlocking mechanism;
- at least one circumferentially extending flange on an axial back side of the interlocking mechanism adjacent the at least one opening;
- and
- at least one tab spaced apart from a circumferential end of the at least one flange, wherein at least a portion of the at least one tab is inserted into one of the plurality of aligned slots;
- and wherein
- the interlocking mechanism contacting the first rotating member and the second rotating member and configured to prevent rotation between the first rotating member and the second rotating member.
A method for assembling a coupling stack comprising:
- providing a tab lock with an annular body, the annular body having:
- a plurality of openings extending into a radial inner periphery of the annular body;
- a plurality of flanges on an axial back side of the annular body adjacent the at least one opening;
- and
- a plurality of tabs each formed adjacent a circumferential end of a corresponding one of the plurality of flanges;
- aligning the plurality of openings with a plurality of lips on a tool;
- rotating the tab lock relative to the tool to a locked position such that the plurality of lips are locked against the axial back side of the annular body;
- moving the tab lock into the coupling stack using the tool;
- aligning a plurality of tabs on the tab lock with a plurality of slots defined between a first rotating member and a second rotating member;
- inserting the plurality of tabs into the plurality of slots;
- rotating the tool relative to the tab lock to an unlocked position such that the plurality of lips are aligned with the plurality of openings;
- and
- withdrawing the tool, the tab lock remaining in place.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.