MID-TURBINE FRAME VANE ASSEMBLY SUPPORT WITH RETENTION UNIT

• US 20140227078A1
• Filed: 02/03/2014
• Published: 08/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rtx Corporation
• Original Assignee: United Technologies Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Chokshi, Jaisukhlal V.
• Granted Patent: US 9,890,659 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 415/68
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 25/162 Bearing supports
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 25/246 Fastening of diaphragms or stator-rings
• CPC Class Codes: 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
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 7/20 Mounting or supporting of plant; Accommodating heat expansion or creep

Abstract

A mid-turbine frame for a gas turbine engine includes a vane assembly supported within a case. The vane assembly directs airflow between a first turbine and a second turbine. A support rod extends through the vane assembly and is secured to the case by a retaining nut. The retaining nut extends through a guide attached to the vane assembly for aligning the vane assembly relative to the case portion.

Claims

1. A gas turbine engine assembly comprising:

an engine case;

a first turbine supported for rotation about an engine axis;

a second turbine spaced axially apart from the first turbine and rotatable about the engine axis;

a vane assembly supported within the engine case between the first turbine and the second turbine;

a support extending through the vane assembly;

a retention nut attached to the support and secured to the engine case;

a guide engaged to the retention nut for restraining the vane assembly relative to the engine case.

2. The gas turbine engine assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the guide includes a bore and a portion of the retention nut is received within the bore.

3. The gas turbine engine assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the retention nut includes an outer surface that guides along an inner surface of the bore.

4. The gas turbine engine assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the retention nut includes a flange secured to an outer surface of the engine case with a threaded fastener and a cylindrical portion extending from the flange with the cylindrical portion received within the bore of the guide.

5. The gas turbine engine assembly as recited in claim 1, including a cavity extending through the vane assembly with the support extending through the cavity and the guide attached to the vane assembly and extending across the cavity.

6. The gas turbine engine assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein the guide comprises a bracket including a bore for receiving the cylindrical portion of the retaining nut.

7. The gas turbine engine assembly as recited in claim 5, including a bearing assembly supported by the supports extending through the cavity in the vane assembly.

8. A mid-turbine frame for a gas turbine engine comprising:

a case portion;

a vane assembly supported within the case portion for directing core airflow between a first turbine and a second turbine;

a support rod extending through the vane assembly;

a retaining nut attached to the support rod and secured to the an outer surface of the case portion; and

a guide attached to the vane assembly and receiving a portion of the retaining nut for aligning the vane assembly relative to the case portion.

9. The mid-turbine frame as recited in claim 8, wherein the guide comprises a bore and the retaining nut comprises a cylindrical portion extending from a flange with an outer surface of the cylindrical portion received within the bore.

10. The mid-turbine frame as recited in claim 9, wherein the vane assembly includes an airfoil and a cavity through the airfoil with the bore disposed over the cavity and the support rod extending through the cavity.

11. The mid-turbine frame as recited in claim 9, wherein the guide comprises a bracket attached to the vane.

12. The mid-turbine frame as recited in claim 9, wherein the support rod includes a radially inner flange for supporting a bearing structure radially inward of the vane assembly.

13. The mid-turbine frame as recited in claim 9, including a bushing disposed within the bore for defining a running fit with the outer surface of the retaining nut.

14. The mid-turbine frame as recited in claim 8, wherein the guide is formed as part of the vane assembly.