Integral centering spring and bearing support and method of supporting multiple damped bearings
First Claim
1. An assembly comprising:
- a centering spring comprising;
an annular flange defining a passage that extends at least radially inward with respect to a centerline circumscribed by the flange;
an annular body spaced from the flange along the centerline, wherein a radially outer surface of the body is spaced from an adjacent surface to form a first annular cavity operative as a first fluid damper; and
a resilient member extending from the flange to the body, wherein a deflection of the body relative to the flange is restrained by a restoring force of the resilient member and the first fluid damper;
wherein the passage extends from a radially outer surface of the flange to a radially inner surface of the flange.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An assembly includes a centering spring having an annular flange, an annular body, and a plurality of resilient beams extending from the flange to the body. The annular flange defines a passage that extends at least radially inward with respect to a centerline circumscribed by the flange from a radially outer surface of the flange to a radially inner surface of the flange. The annular body is spaced from the flange along the centerline, a radially outer surface of the body forming a first annular cavity relative to an adjacent surface configured to be a first fluid damper. A deflection of the body relative to the flange is restrained by a restoring force produced by the plurality of resilient beams and the first fluid damper. A method includes providing the aforementioned assembly and passing a damping fluid through the passage of the flange.
98 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An assembly comprising:
a centering spring comprising; an annular flange defining a passage that extends at least radially inward with respect to a centerline circumscribed by the flange; an annular body spaced from the flange along the centerline, wherein a radially outer surface of the body is spaced from an adjacent surface to form a first annular cavity operative as a first fluid damper; and a resilient member extending from the flange to the body, wherein a deflection of the body relative to the flange is restrained by a restoring force of the resilient member and the first fluid damper; wherein the passage extends from a radially outer surface of the flange to a radially inner surface of the flange. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An assembly for supporting a bearing assembly within a bearing compartment of a gas turbine engine, the assembly comprising:
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a centering spring comprising; a first bearing housing circumscribing a rotor centerline of the gas turbine engine; a passage defined by the first bearing housing that extends from a radially outer surface of the first bearing housing to a radially inner surface of the first bearing housing; a second bearing housing spaced from the first bearing housing along the rotor centerline; and a plurality of resilient members extending from the first bearing housing to the second bearing housing; a support structure encircling the centering spring, the support structure defining an axially-facing surface configured to engage the first bearing housing; a first bearing supported by the first bearing housing; a first damping cavity defined by opposing surfaces of the first bearing housing and the first bearing, wherein the passage is configured to communicate with the first damping cavity; and a second damping cavity defined by opposing surfaces of the second bearing housing and the support structure; wherein a deflection of the second bearing housing relative to the first bearing housing is restrained by a restoring force of the plurality of resilient members and the second damping cavity. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of supporting a first bearing and a second bearing, the method comprising:
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providing a centering spring, the centering spring comprising; a first bearing housing mated to and restrained by a support structure for engaging the first bearing; a second bearing housing spaced from the first bearing housing for engaging the second bearing; and a plurality of resilient beams extending from the first bearing housing to the second bearing housing; and passing a fluid through a passage defined by the first bearing housing to a first annular cavity defined between a radially inner surface of the first bearing housing and an outer race of a first bearing, wherein the first annular cavity is operative as a first fluid damper. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification