Mounting arrangement

• US 6,976,655 B2
• Filed: 10/27/2003
• Issued: 12/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC (Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc)
• Original Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC (Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc)
• Inventors: Thompson, Ewan F
• Primary Examiner(s): ELDRED, JOHN W
• Application Number:
  US10/692,680
• Publication Number:
  US 20040108413A1
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• Field of Search: 248/554, 248/555, 244/54, 244/60, 244/12.4, 244/56
• US Class Current: 244/54
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 27/40 Arrangements for mounting power plants in aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 7/20 Mounting or supporting of plant; Accommodating heat expansion or creep
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2220/323 for aircraft propulsion, e.g. jet engines
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2220/327 to drive shrouded, high solidity propeller

Abstract

A mounting arrangement (26) is provided for mounting an engine (10), typically a gas turbine engine, to a vehicle. The mounting arrangement (26) includes connecting means (28, 30) constructed to extend from a core assembly (14) of the engine (10) through an outer component (24) to the vehicle. The mounting arrangement (26) also includes transmission means (41) extending from the connecting means (28, 30) to transmit thrust from the engine (10) to the vehicle.

Claims

1. A mounting arrangement for mounting a gas turbine engine to a vehicle, the engine having a core assembly and a housing, the housing surrounding a fan of the engine, the mounting arrangement comprising connecting means constructed to extend between the core assembly through the housing to the vehicle, wherein the mounting arrangement further comprises transmission means, the transmission means extending from the connecting means to the engine, the transmission means transmiting thrust from the engine to the vehicle wherein the connecting means comprises a strut arrangement and attaching means, the strut arrangement being for connecting the attaching means to the core assembly, and the attaching means being for attaching the strut arrangement to the vehicle wherein the attaching means is selected from one or both of a shaft and pivoting means to provide pivotal attachment.

2. A mounting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the pivoting means comprises a ball joint.

3. A mounting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the attaching means comprises a trunion.

4. A mounting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the connecting means comprises a frame comprising a pair of elongate connecting struts joined to each other at one end of each connecting strut to form an apex portion, the apex portion being connected to the attachment means, and the opposite end of each elongate connecting strut can be connected to a first region of the engine.

5. A mounting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the transmission means comprises support means to support the connecting means, the support means comprising an elongate support member having first and second opposite ends, the first end of the elongate support member being connected to the connecting means, and the second end of the elongate support member being connected to a second region of the engine.

6. A mounting arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the support means is connected to the strut arrangement in the region of the attaching means.

7. A mounting arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the support means is connected to the connecting means at said apex region.

8. A mounting arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the connecting means comprises an A frame, and the mounting arrangement comprises a tripod arrangement of the elongate struts and the elongate support member.

9. A mounting arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the housing defines an aperture through which the connecting means can extend, and the apex portion of the first and second connecting struts comprises an outwardly extending part which can extend through said aperture.

10. A mounting arrangement according to claim 6, wherein sealing means is provided to seal the connecting means to the housing.

11. A mounting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the mounting arrangement comprises a pair of said connecting means, arrangeable in spaced relationship to each other about the engine.

12. A mounting arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the connecting means are arranged opposite each other on the engine.

13. A mounting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the mounting arrangement further comprises a securing member to further secure the engine to the vehicle, the securing member being provided rearwardly of the engine.

14. A mounting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the mounting arrangement comprises carrying means to carry the housing, the carrying means comprising a pair of legs which are joined to each other and to the outer component at one end of each leg.

15. A mounting arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the opposite ends of the legs are attached to the engine in spaced relation to each other.

16. A mounting arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the carrying means is arrangeable on the engine at a region between the pair of said connection means, substantially midway therebetween.

17. A mounting arrangement according to claim 13, wherein two of said carrying means are arrangeable opposite each other on the engine.

18. A gas turbine engine comprising a core assembly and an outer component, and a mounting arrangement according to claim 1 for mounting the engine to a vehicle.