Attachment device for removable components in hot gas paths in a turbine engine
First Claim
1. An attachment device for attaching turbine components to form a hot gas path within the components, comprising:
- a support structure comprising an annular flange having inner and outer surfaces with at least one axially extending fastener receiving recess for containing a fastener and at least one retention arm extending from the support structure, wherein the at least one retention arm defines at least one recess;
a securement structure concentrically aligned with the support structure about an axis of rotation, comprising an annular flange having inner and outer surfaces with at least one axially extending fastener receiving recess and at least one retention arm extending from the body of the securement structure and configured to be inserted into the at least one recess formed from the retention arm of the support structure to grasp the at least one retention arm of the support structure after the securement structure has been rotated about an axis the rotation, wherein the outer surface of the securement structure forms a hot gas path outer surface; and
at least one fastener movably coupled to the support structure, a head of the fastener disposed between the outer surface of the support structure and the inner surface of the securement structure, such that the fastener is moveable between a position in which the fastener extends into the at least one fastener receiving recess of the securement structure thereby preventing rotation of the securement structure relative to the support structure and a position in which the fastener is contained within the at least one fastener receiving recess in the support structure enabling the securement structure to be rotated about the axis of rotation;
an orifice in the flange of the securement structure that extends through the hot gas path outer surface and enables a tool to be inserted through the hot gas path outer surface from within the hot gas path to engage and move the at least one fastener between positions, and enable the securement structure to be removed in the hot gas path;
wherein the orifice in the flange of the securement structure is sized to prevent the head of the at least one fastener from passing through the orifice and releasing the fastener into the hot gas path.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An attachment device for coupling one or more removable turbine components to a carrier of a turbine engine. The attachment device may include a securement structure rotatable about an axis of rotation and including one or more arms for grasping an arm extending from a support structure. A fastener may extend from the support structure and be inserted into a fastener receiving recess in the securement structure for preventing the securement structure from rotating and becoming disengaged from the support structure. The attachment device may also include a fastener retaining device for preventing the fastener, which may be a threaded bolt, from becoming disengaged from the attachment device, traveling downstream in a turbine, and damaging a turbine assembly.
-
Citations
19 Claims
-
1. An attachment device for attaching turbine components to form a hot gas path within the components, comprising:
-
a support structure comprising an annular flange having inner and outer surfaces with at least one axially extending fastener receiving recess for containing a fastener and at least one retention arm extending from the support structure, wherein the at least one retention arm defines at least one recess; a securement structure concentrically aligned with the support structure about an axis of rotation, comprising an annular flange having inner and outer surfaces with at least one axially extending fastener receiving recess and at least one retention arm extending from the body of the securement structure and configured to be inserted into the at least one recess formed from the retention arm of the support structure to grasp the at least one retention arm of the support structure after the securement structure has been rotated about an axis the rotation, wherein the outer surface of the securement structure forms a hot gas path outer surface; and at least one fastener movably coupled to the support structure, a head of the fastener disposed between the outer surface of the support structure and the inner surface of the securement structure, such that the fastener is moveable between a position in which the fastener extends into the at least one fastener receiving recess of the securement structure thereby preventing rotation of the securement structure relative to the support structure and a position in which the fastener is contained within the at least one fastener receiving recess in the support structure enabling the securement structure to be rotated about the axis of rotation; an orifice in the flange of the securement structure that extends through the hot gas path outer surface and enables a tool to be inserted through the hot gas path outer surface from within the hot gas path to engage and move the at least one fastener between positions, and enable the securement structure to be removed in the hot gas path; wherein the orifice in the flange of the securement structure is sized to prevent the head of the at least one fastener from passing through the orifice and releasing the fastener into the hot gas path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. An attachment device for attaching turbine components to form a hot gas path within the components, comprising:
-
a support structure comprising an annular flange having inner and outer surfaces with a central aperture, at least one axially extending fastner receiving recess for containing a fastener, and at least one retention arm positioned round a perimeter of the central aperture and extending from the support structure, wherein the at least one retention arm defines at least one recess that is generally orthogonal to an axis of rotation of the support structure; a securement structure concentrically aligned with the support structure about the axis of rotation, comprising an annular flange having inner and outer surfaces with a central aperture, at least one axially extending fastener receiving recess, and at least one retention arm positioned around a perimeter of the central aperture, extending from the body of the securement structure, and configured to be inserted into the at least one recess formed from the retention arm of the support structure to grasp the at least one retention arm of the support structure after the securement structure has been rotated about the axis of rotation, and an outer surface that is generally opposite to the at least one retention arm of the securement structure that forms a hot gas path outer surface and configured to be substantially flush with adjacent turbine components; at least one fastener movably coupled to the support structure , a head of the fastener disposed between the outer surface of the support structure and the inner surface of the securement structure, such that the fastener is moveable between a position in which the fastener extends into the at least one fastener receiving recess of the securement structure thereby preventing rotation of the securement structure relative to the support structure and a position in which the fastener is contained within the at least one fastener receiving recess in the support structure enabling the securement structure to be rotated; a fastener retaining device for preventing the fastener from being removed from the attachment device and into the hot gas path once fully assembled; and wherein the securement structure includes an orifice providing access to the at least one fastener through the hot gas so that a tool may extend through the orifice from within the hot gas path and engage and move the at least one fastener in the securement structure between positions, and wherein the orifice is sized to prevent the head of the at least one fastener from passing through the orifice and releasing the fastener into the hot gas path. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
Specification