Convectively cooled bolt assembly

• US 5,072,785 A
• Filed: 06/12/1990
• Issued: 12/17/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: United Technologies Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: United Technologies Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Beytes, Deane A., Dressler, Jeffrey T., Eichhorn, Gunther
• Primary Examiner(s): Rivell, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEO, LEONARD R
• Application Number:
  US07/536,907
• Time in Patent Office: 553 Days
• Field of Search: 165/47, 165/134.1, 60/39.83, 411/383, 411/395, 411/916, 411/546, 411/338, 411/339
• US Class Current: 165/47
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 25/243 Flange connections; Bolting arrangements F01D25/265 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/60 Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 411/02 Temperature modification
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 411/916 Bolt having tension feature

Abstract

Disclosed is a bolt assembly which includes two spacers having cooling channels defined therein which communicate with a central bore, and a bolt which extends through the bore of each spacer. The diameter of the shaft of the bolt is significantly less than either of the spacer bore diameters, allowing coolant entering the cooling channels of one spacer to circulate through the spacer bores and out the cooling channels of the other spacer, thereby cooling the bolt.

Claims

1. A convectively cooled bolt assembly for use in a high temperature environment, said assembly comprising:

a first spacer including first and second opposed ends with a first spacer bore extending therebetween, a plurality of radial cooling channels in said first end which communicate with said first spacer bore and extend radially outward therefrom, a first cooling flange adjacent said first end of said first spacer, and a second cooling flange offset from said second end of said first spacer;

a second spacer having two opposed faces with a second spacer bore extending therebetween, at least one of said two opposed faces includes a plurality of cooling channels which communicate with said second spacer bore, said first spacer bore communicates with said second spacer bore to provide for coolant flow from said plurality of cooling channels of said second spacer to said plurality of radial cooling channels of said first spacer;

a bolt having a head and a shaft attached thereto, said shaft extending through said first spacer bore and having a diameter which is significantly less than the first and second spacer bore diameters to permit coolant to flow therethrough; and

,

a nut threaded onto said shaft, said nut secures said second spacer to said first spacer;

wherein said first spacer has a stem which protrudes from said second flange and contacts said second spacer, said first spacer bore extends through said stem and said stem supports said second spacer in spaced relation to said second flange.

2. A convectively cooled bolt assembly for use in a high temperature environment, said assembly comprising:

a first spacer including first and second opposed ends with a first spacer bore extending therebetween, a plurality of radial cooling channels in said first end which communicate with said first spacer bore and extend radially outward therefrom, and axial cooling channels extending between said first and second opposed ends, and each of said plurality of radial cooling channels communicates with at least one of said axial cooling channels;

a second spacer having two opposed faces with a second spacer bore extending therebetween, at least one of said two opposed faces includes a plurality of cooling channels which communicate with said second spacer bore, and said first spacer bore communicates with said second spacer bore to provide for coolant flow from said plurality of cooling channels of said second spacer to said plurality of radial cooling channels of said first spacer;

a bolt having a head and a shaft attached thereto, said shaft extending through said first spacer bore and having a diameter which is significantly less than the first and second spacer bore diameters to permit coolant to flow therethrough; and

,

a nut threaded onto said shaft, said nut secures said second spacer to said first spacer.

3. The convectively cooled bolt assembly of claim 2 wherein said second spacer includes axial cooling channels which extend between said two opposed faces and communicate with said plurality of cooling channels.

4. The convectively cooled bolt assembly of claim 3 wherein each of said two opposed faces includes a plurality of cooling channels which communicate with said second spacer bore.

5. The convectively cooled bolt assembly of claim 4 wherein each of said axial cooling channels of said first spacer is integral with said first spacer bore.

6. The convectively cooled bolt assembly of claim 5 wherein each of said axial cooling channels of said second spacer is integral with said second spacer bore.

7. The convectively cooled bolt assembly of claim 6 wherein said first spacer includes

a first cooling flange adjacent said first end of said first spacer,

a second cooling flange offset from said second end of said first spacer, and

a stem which protrudes from said second flange and contacts with second spacer, said first spacer bore extends through said stem, and said stem supports said second spacer in spaced relation to said second flange.