Gas turbine engines
First Claim
1. A gas turbine engine which comprises a first shaft positioned coaxially within a second shaft, one of the shafts drivingly connecting a first rotating asssembly to a second rotating assembly, and a means to detect when a relative angular displacement between the shafts reaches a predetermined value while the gas turbine engine is in operation, said means comprising at least one aperture in the first shaft and a corresponding ratchet device mounted on a spindle which is attached to the second shaft, the ratchet device having an arm positioned at one end which abuts the circumference of the first shaft;
- the aperture in the first shaft lying in the same plane as the ratchet device and positioned at a pre-determined angle in the direction of rotation of the shafts from the arm of the ratchet device;
in operation when the relative angular displacement between the first and second shafts reaches the pre-determined value the arm of said ratchet device aligns with and moves into said aperture.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A detection means to detect when a relative angular displacement between a first shaft and a second shaft of a gas turbine engine reaches a predetermined value comprises an aperture in the first shaft and a cooperating ratchet device attached to the second shaft. An arm of the ratchet device abuts the circumference of the first shaft, and the aperture in the first shaft is initially positioned a predetermined angle in the direction of rotation of the shafts from the arm. In operation when the relative angular displacement between the shafts reaches the predetermined value the arm of the ratchet device aligns with and moves into the aperture in the first shaft.
The ratchet device has a pawl which moves radially outwards from the shaft and engages with and displaces a lever when the arm moves into the aperture. The displacement of the lever may be used to shut off the supply of fuel to the gas turbine engine or to operate an indication means.
17 Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A gas turbine engine which comprises a first shaft positioned coaxially within a second shaft, one of the shafts drivingly connecting a first rotating asssembly to a second rotating assembly, and a means to detect when a relative angular displacement between the shafts reaches a predetermined value while the gas turbine engine is in operation, said means comprising at least one aperture in the first shaft and a corresponding ratchet device mounted on a spindle which is attached to the second shaft, the ratchet device having an arm positioned at one end which abuts the circumference of the first shaft;
- the aperture in the first shaft lying in the same plane as the ratchet device and positioned at a pre-determined angle in the direction of rotation of the shafts from the arm of the ratchet device;
in operation when the relative angular displacement between the first and second shafts reaches the pre-determined value the arm of said ratchet device aligns with and moves into said aperture. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
- the aperture in the first shaft lying in the same plane as the ratchet device and positioned at a pre-determined angle in the direction of rotation of the shafts from the arm of the ratchet device;
Specification