ATTACHMENT APPARATUS FOR CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITE MATERIALS
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a first ceramic matrix composite structure, having a first flange with a first aperture;
a second structure, having a second flange with a second aperture, the second flange being in contact with the first flange with the second aperture aligned with the first aperture; and
a fastener having a portion extending through the first aperture of the first flange and the second aperture of the second flange, the fastener having a thermal expansion rate different than a thermal expansion rate of at least one of the first ceramic matrix composite structure and the second structure;
the fastener including a spring assembly that maintains a clamping pressure irrespective of thermal expansion differences between the fastener and at least one of the first ceramic matrix composite structure and the second structure.
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Abstract
A first ceramic matrix composite structure having a first flange with a first aperture, and a second structure having a second flange with a second aperture are clamped together by a fastener and spring assembly. The second flange is in contact with the first flange and the apertures of the first and second flanges align with each other. A threaded fastener having a thermal expansion rate that is different than the thermal expansion rate of at least one of the first ceramic matrix composite structure and second structure extends through the aligned apertures. The fastener includes a bolt, a nut, and a spring assembly that maintains a constant clamping pressure irrespective of the thermal expansion differences between the bolt and the first ceramic matrix composite structure and second structure.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a first ceramic matrix composite structure, having a first flange with a first aperture; a second structure, having a second flange with a second aperture, the second flange being in contact with the first flange with the second aperture aligned with the first aperture; and a fastener having a portion extending through the first aperture of the first flange and the second aperture of the second flange, the fastener having a thermal expansion rate different than a thermal expansion rate of at least one of the first ceramic matrix composite structure and the second structure;
the fastener including a spring assembly that maintains a clamping pressure irrespective of thermal expansion differences between the fastener and at least one of the first ceramic matrix composite structure and the second structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A mid-turbine frame located in a gas turbine engine, the mid-turbine frame comprising:
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a first ceramic matrix composite component of the mid-turbine frame, the first component having a first flange with a first aperture; a second component of the mid-turbine frame, the second component having a second flange with a second aperture, the second flange being in contact with the first flange with the second aperture aligned with the first aperture; a bolt extending through the first aperture and the second aperture, the bolt having a thermal expansion rate different than a thermal expansion rate of at least one of the first ceramic matrix composite component of the mid-turbine frame and the second component of the mid-turbine frame, the bolt having a head and a bolt shank having a threaded portion; a nut threadingly engaged onto the threaded portion of the bolt shank; and a spring assembly disposed on the bolt shank between at least one of the bolt head and the nut and the first flange and the second flange that maintains a clamping pressure irrespective of thermal expansion differences between the fastener and at least one of the first ceramic matrix composite component of the mid-turbine frame and the second component of the mid-turbine frame. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of assembling a mid-turbine frame for use in a gas turbine engine, the method comprising:
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positioning a first flange of a first ceramic matrix composite component of the mid-turbine frame abutting a second flange of a second component of the mid-turbine frame; attaching the first flange of the first ceramic matrix composite component of the mid-turbine frame to the second flange of the second component of the mid-turbine frame via a fastener having a spring assembly thereon; and tightening the fastener to cause the spring assembly to apply a force that clamps the first and second flanges together. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification