Intermediate unit body, assembling method thereof and outlet guide vane connecting device

Abstract

The outlet guide vane connecting device comprises a flange edge provided by an intermediate inner casing, and a self-locking nut ring, the self-locking nut ring comprises a bottom ring and a self-locking nut fixed on the bottom ring; the bottom ring is fixedly connected to the flange edge; the blade root of the outlet guide blade is provided with a mounting edge; the self-locking nut is used for being connected with a guide vane connecting bolt penetrating through the mounting edge of the blade root of the outlet guide vane and the flange edge, and then the mounting edge and the flange edge are connected. The intermediate unit body comprises the outlet guide vane connecting device. The assembling method of the intermediate unit body is high in operation efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an intermediate unit body, an outlet guide vane connecting device and an assembly method of the outlet guide vane of a gas turbine or a turbofan engine. Background Art

[0002] The axial-flow turbine machinery, with the axial-flow aircraft engine as a typical example, is composed of high-pressure and low-pressure dual rotors. The low-pressure rotor includes an inlet low-pressure fan and an outlet low-pressure turbine. An intermediate unit is connected between the low-pressure fan and the high-pressure compressor. It is one of the engine's load-bearing frames, bearing the main load of the engine and transmitting it through the mounting node. In the intermediate unit, an outlet guide vane is installed on the intermediate inner casing, which mainly guides the outlet airflow and bears the radial load of the engine. During the operation of the engine, due to the effect of the external duct airflow, the outlet guide vane is subjected to a large aerodynamic load, and at the same time, foreign matter in the airflow flows through the outlet guide vane. During the service of the engine, due to the continuous impact of foreign objects such as airflow and gravel, the outlet guide vane needs to be regularly maintained and replaced. Therefore, the assembly and disassembly of the outlet guide vane is very critical.

[0003] The outlet guide vane is tightened on the intermediate outer casing and the intermediate inner casing by bolts at the top and bottom. During assembly, the outlet guide vane is first assembled with the outer casing as a whole, and then the entire thing is pushed in and assembled on the outer flange edge of the inner casing. On the flange edge connected to the intermediate inner casing, due to the limitation of assembly space, it is necessary to pre-install nuts on one side of the flange edge of the intermediate inner casing, so the nuts need to be fixed on the intermediate inner casing, generally in the form of pallet self-locking nuts, but because there are a large number of nuts here (nearly 100), the rivets are long, and the riveting time is long one by one. At the same time, due to the obstruction of the flange edges on both sides, the quality and difficulty of the rivets are required to be high. At the same time, for locations where the assembly space is limited, if the pallet self-locking nuts are pre-installed, it will cause interference with the assembly path. If the pallet nuts are installed later, riveting will also be difficult due to space limitations. Summary of the invention

[0004] One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide an outlet guide vane connection device, which is conducive to improving the efficiency of disassembly and assembly of the outlet guide vane.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide an intermediate unit body, which comprises the aforementioned outlet guide vane connection device.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide an assembling method of an intermediate unit body, which has high operation efficiency.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, an outlet guide vane connection device is used to connect the outlet guide vane and an intermediate inner casing, including a flange edge provided by the intermediate inner casing; and a self-locking nut ring; wherein the self-locking nut ring includes a bottom ring and a self-locking nut fixed on the bottom ring; the bottom ring is fixedly connected to the flange edge; the blade root of the outlet guide vane is provided with a mounting edge; the self-locking nut is used to connect with the guide vane connection bolts passing through the mounting edge of the blade root of the outlet guide vane and the flange edge, thereby connecting the mounting edge and the flange edge.

[0008] In one embodiment, the bottom ring is divided into a plurality of independent sections, and the plurality of independent sections are annular and fixedly disposed on the flange edge.

[0009] In one embodiment, the self-locking nut ring also includes a plurality of second nuts and a plurality of bottom ring connecting bolts, and the bottom ring connecting bolts pass through the flange edge and the bottom ring and are connected to the second nuts, thereby fixing the self-locking nut ring on the flange edge.

[0010] In one embodiment, the radial sides of the bottom ring each include a flange, the two flanges define two mother rails, the self-locking nut and / or the second nut each include a support plate, the support plate is embedded in the two mother rails and fixed by clamping the mother rails.

[0011] In one embodiment, the mother rail is configured to be split apart to allow replacement of the self-locking nut and / or the second nut.

[0012] In one embodiment, the mother rail is configured to allow the self-locking nut and / or the second nut to slide along the mother rail before the support plate of the self-locking nut and / or the second nut is clamped and fixed, and after sliding into place, the pressure plate is clamped and fixed by the flange by means of tightening the flange.

[0013] In one embodiment, the self-locking nut and / or the second nut are welded to the bottom ring.

[0014] In one embodiment, the self-locking nut and / or the second nut each comprises a support plate, and the support plate is riveted to the bottom ring.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, the intermediate unit body includes an intermediate outer casing, an intermediate inner casing, and a plurality of outlet guide vanes connected between the intermediate outer casing and the intermediate inner casing, and also includes any one of the outlet guide vane connecting devices, through which the mounting edge of the blade root of the outlet guide vane and the flange edge of the intermediate inner casing are connected.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, the assembly method of the intermediate unit body includes first assembling the outlet guide vane with the intermediate outer casing into a whole; installing the outlet guide vane connecting device on the flange edge of the intermediate inner casing; pushing the whole body to the flange edge of the intermediate inner casing; and connecting multiple self-locking nuts with multiple guide vane connecting bolts.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, by installing the bottom ring of the aforementioned self-locking nut ring on the flange edge of the intermediate inner casing, it is possible to set the self-locking nut on the flange edge of the intermediate inner casing, eliminating the large number of riveted connections in the past, improving the disassembly and assembly efficiency during aircraft engine maintenance, shortening the maintenance time, and indirectly reducing the maintenance cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The above and other features, properties and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent through the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 It is a partial view of a turbofan engine;

[0020] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a step of a method for assembling an interposer unit body;

[0021] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a comparative example of an outlet guide vane connection device;

[0022] Figure 4 is a front view of a section of the embodiment 1 of the outlet guide vane connection device;

[0023] Figure 5 is along Figure 4 Sectional view along the midline BB;

[0024] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the installation position of the outlet guide vane connection device in embodiment 1;

[0025] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of embodiment 1 of the outlet guide vane connection device connecting the outlet guide vane mounting edge and the intermediate casing flange edge;

[0026] Figure 8 is a front view of a section of an embodiment 2 of an outlet guide vane connection device;

[0027] Fig. 9 is along Figure 8 Sectional view of the mid-CC line;

[0028] Fig.10 is a schematic diagram of the installation position of the outlet guide vane connection device according to Embodiment 2;

[0029] Fig.11 is a schematic diagram of embodiment 2 of the outlet guide vane connection device connecting the outlet guide vane mounting edge and the intermediate casing flange edge;

[0030] Fig.12 is a front view of a section of Embodiment 3 of the outlet guide vane connection device;

[0031] Fig.13 is along Fig.12 Sectional view along the mid-DD line;

[0032] Fig.14 is a schematic diagram of the installation position of the outlet guide vane connection device in embodiment 3;

[0033] Fig.15 It is a schematic diagram of Example 3 of the outlet guide vane connecting device connecting the outlet guide vane mounting edge and the intermediate casing flange edge. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided to explain the present invention, not to limit the present invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. For example, a feature illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used together with another embodiment to produce yet another embodiment. Therefore, the present invention is intended to cover these modifications and variations within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0035] As used herein, the terms "first", "second" may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to indicate the location or importance of the respective components. The terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to relative directions with respect to fluid flow in a fluid path.

[0036] The outlet guide vane is also called the outlet guide vane, which is used in the outer duct of a turbofan engine or a gas turbine to guide the outlet airflow.

[0037] The "intermediate outer casing mounting portion" is a structure of the intermediate outer casing for mounting outlet guide vanes.

[0038] The "intermediate inner casing mounting portion" is a structure of the intermediate inner casing used to mount the outlet guide vane, and a common example is a flange edge mounted on the intermediate inner casing.

[0039] Directional terms such as "radial", "circumferential", and "axial" are referenced to the central axis of the rotating machine.

[0040] Figure 1The fan and low-pressure compressor of the turbofan engine are shown, while the high-pressure compressor, combustion chamber, high-pressure turbine driving the compressor, low-pressure turbine driving the fan, and exhaust system of the turbofan engine are not shown in the figure. The fan includes a fan rotor composed of fan blades 1, fan blade disks 2, and fan shafts 6. The fan rotor can be a single-stage or multi-stage blade. After the air flows through the fan, it is divided into two paths: one is the inner airflow, the air continues to be compressed by the low-pressure compressor 5, and the high-pressure compressor further compresses it, and it is mixed with fuel in the combustion chamber and burned. The gas expands through the turbine and the nozzle, and the gas is discharged from the tail nozzle at a high speed to generate thrust. The gas is discharged from the nozzle. The components of the engine on the downstream side of the low-pressure compressor are not shown in the figure; the other is the outer duct airflow, and the air after the fan is directly discharged into the atmosphere through the outer duct or discharged from the nozzle together with the inner duct gas. The outlet guide vane 4 is installed at the outlet position of the outer duct.

[0041] The intermediate unit body includes an intermediate outer casing 3, an intermediate inner casing 8, and a plurality of outlet guide vanes 4 connected between the intermediate outer casing 3 and the intermediate inner casing 8. Figure 2 As shown, the outlet guide vane 4 includes a blade body 41, a blade top 42 and a blade root 43, and an edge plate 44 is arranged between the blade body 41 and the blade root 43. The edge plate 44 is also called a platform, and its radial outer surface is used as the airflow flow path surface at the outlet position of the outer duct. The blade structure on the radial inner side of the edge plate 44 is the blade root 43, and the blade root 43 includes two mounting edges 431 and 432.

[0042] The intermediate outer casing 3 includes an intermediate outer casing mounting portion 31. The intermediate inner casing 8 includes an intermediate inner casing flange 81. The radial connection device 32 is exemplified as a bolt in the figure. The axial connection device 10 is also exemplified as a guide vane connection bolt. The blade tip 42 of the outlet guide vane 4 is connected to the outer casing mounting portion 31 through the radial connection device 32, and the blade root 43 is connected to the intermediate inner casing flange 81 through the axial connection device 10.

[0043] In the following description, an installation edge 431 of the blade root of the outlet guide vane 4 and a flange edge 81 of the intermediate inner casing 8 are taken as examples for explanation, and the description is also substantially applicable to another installation edge 432 and another flange edge 81 .

[0044] like Figure 3 As shown, before the outlet guide vane 4 is assembled, a self-locking nut 9 is installed on the right side of the flange edge 81 of the intermediate inner casing 8, and the self-locking nut 9 is riveted to the flange edge 81 by two rivets. Since there are many self-locking nuts 9 here, the number of rivets is also large, for example, nearly 200, so it takes a long time to rivet one by one. Due to the obstruction of the flange edges 81 on both sides and the limitation of space, the quality and difficulty of the rivets are required to be high, and there is also the problem of interference in the assembly path.

[0045] In the embodiments described below, the outlet guide vane connection device can effectively address this problem, which improves the efficiency of disassembly and assembly during aircraft engine maintenance, shortens maintenance time, and indirectly reduces maintenance costs.

[0046] Figures 4 to 7 The embodiment 1 of the outlet guide vane connection device is shown, and the outlet guide vane connection device includes a flange edge 81 and a self-locking nut ring. The self-locking nut ring includes a bottom ring 12 and a self-locking nut 11 fixed on the bottom ring 12. Figure 6 As shown, the bottom ring 12 is fixedly connected to the flange edge 81. Figure 7 As shown, the self-locking nut 11 is used to connect with the guide vane connecting bolt 10 passing through the mounting edge 431 and the flange edge 81 , thereby connecting the mounting edge 431 and the flange edge 81 .

[0047] During the assembly and disassembly process, the outer casing and the outlet guide vane 4 are assembled into a whole for assembly and disassembly. The provision of the self-locking nut ring will simplify the fixing of the self-locking nut 11 on the flange edge 81, avoid assembly path interference problems, and shorten the time for installing the self-locking nut 11.

[0048] In order to facilitate assembly, the bottom ring 12 is divided into a plurality of independent sections, and the plurality of independent sections are annularly arranged on the flange edge and fixedly disposed. Figure 4 Only one section is shown.

[0049] like Figure 6 As shown, the self-locking nut ring also includes a plurality of second nuts 15 and a plurality of bottom ring connecting bolts 14, and the bottom ring connecting bolts 14 pass through the flange edge 81 and the bottom ring to connect with the second nuts 15, thereby fixing the self-locking nut ring on the flange edge 81. The second nut 15 and the self-locking nut 11 can be nuts of the same specification or nuts of different specifications. The bottom ring is installed by bolts and nuts, which requires less modification of the flange edge 81, and the operation method of installing the bottom ring is simple and quick, and it also allows the overall rear part of the self-locking nut ring to be disassembled and replaced.

[0050] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the radial sides of the bottom ring 12 each include a flange, and the two flanges define two mother rails. The self-locking nut 11 and / or the second nut 15 each include a support plate, which is embedded in the two mother rails and fixed by being clamped by the mother rails.

[0051] Preferably, the mother rail is arranged to be split apart to allow replacement of the self-locking nut 11 and / or the second nut 15. Since replacement of a single part is allowed, maintenance efficiency is high and maintenance cost is low.

[0052] Optionally, the mother rail is configured to allow the self-locking nut 11 and / or the second nut 15 to slide along the mother rail before the support plate of the self-locking nut 11 and / or the second nut 15 is clamped and fixed, for example Figure 5 There is a gap of 1-2mm at the position 110 shown. After sliding into place, the pressure plate is clamped and fixed by means of the flange by means of the compression flange. In the actual assembly process, the self-locking nut 11 and / or the second nut 15 are slid into the corresponding position from the side of the bottom ring 12 and then compressed to achieve the locking of the nut 11. After the outlet guide vane 4 is assembled, the self-locking nut 11 and / or the second nut 15 will not loosen when the bolts are tightened, and the self-locking nut 11 and / or the second nut 15 can be quickly and accurately positioned.

[0053] Figures 8 to 11 Embodiment 2 of the outlet guide vane connection device is shown. Embodiment 2 differs from Embodiment 1 in that the self-locking nut 11 and / or the second nut 15 each comprises a support plate which is riveted to the bottom ring 12 by rivets 16 .

[0054] Figure 12 to Figure 14 Embodiment 3 of the outlet guide vane connection device is shown. Embodiment 3 differs from Embodiment 1 in that the self-locking nut 11 and / or the second nut 15 are welded to the bottom ring 12, and the welding method is preferably fillet welding.

[0055] Combination Figure 2 The assembly method of the intermediate unit body includes first assembling the outlet guide vane 4 with the outer casing 3 into a whole; then setting the aforementioned outlet guide vane connecting device on the flange edge 81 of the inner intermediate casing 8; then pushing the aforementioned whole to the flange edge 81 of the inner intermediate casing; finally, using multiple guide vane connecting bolts 10 to respectively connect multiple self-locking nuts 11.

[0056] Through the aforementioned self-locking nut ring and the connection of several second bolts 15, it is possible to set the self-locking nut 11 on the flange edge 81 of the intermediate inner casing 8, eliminating the riveting connection in the comparative example, facilitating the assembly process, improving the disassembly and assembly efficiency during aircraft engine maintenance, shortening the maintenance time, and indirectly reducing the maintenance cost.

[0057] Although the present invention is disclosed as above with preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art may make possible changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, any modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiments according to the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention shall fall within the protection scope defined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An outlet guide vane connection device is used to connect the outlet guide vane and the intermediate inner casing, which is characterized by The outlet guide vane connection device comprises: The flange edge provided by the intermediate inner casing; and Self-locking nut ring; Wherein, the self-locking nut ring comprises a bottom ring and a self-locking nut fixed on the bottom ring; The bottom ring is fixedly connected to the flange edge; The blade root of the outlet guide vane is provided with a mounting edge; The self-locking nut is used to be connected with the guide vane connecting bolts passing through the mounting edge of the blade root of the outlet guide vane and the flange edge, thereby connecting the mounting edge and the flange edge.

2. The outlet guide vane connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom ring is divided into a plurality of independent sections, and the plurality of independent sections are annular and fixedly arranged on the flange edge.

3. The outlet guide vane connection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The self-locking nut ring also includes a plurality of second nuts and a plurality of bottom ring connecting bolts. The bottom ring connecting bolts pass through the flange edge and the bottom ring and are connected to the second nuts, thereby fixing the self-locking nut ring on the flange edge.

4. The outlet guide vane connection device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The radial sides of the bottom ring each include a flange, and the two flanges define two mother rails. The self-locking nut and / or the second nut each include a support plate, and the support plate is embedded in the two mother rails and fixed by clamping the mother rails.

5. The outlet guide vane connection device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The mother rail is configured to be split apart to allow replacement of the self-locking nut and / or the second nut.

6. The outlet guide vane connection device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The mother rail is configured to allow the self-locking nut and / or the second nut to slide along the mother rail before the support plate of the self-locking nut and / or the second nut is clamped and fixed, and after sliding into place, the pressure plate is clamped and fixed by the flange by means of tightening the flange.

7. The outlet guide vane connection device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The self-locking nut and / or the second nut are welded to the bottom ring.

8. The outlet guide vane connection device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The self-locking nut and / or the second nut each comprises a support plate, which is riveted to the bottom ring.

9. An intermediate unit body, comprising an intermediate outer casing, an intermediate inner casing and a plurality of outlet guide vanes connected between the intermediate outer casing and the intermediate inner casing, characterized in that: The intermediate unit body further comprises an outlet guide vane connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and a mounting edge of a blade root of the outlet guide vane and a flange edge of the intermediate inner casing are connected via the outlet guide vane connection device.

10. The method for assembling the intermediate unit according to claim 9, characterized in that: include: The outlet guide vane is first assembled with the intermediate outer casing into a whole; Installing the guide vane connection device on the flange edge of the intermediate inner casing; Push the whole body to the flange edge of the intermediate inner casing; as well as A plurality of the self-locking nuts are respectively connected with a plurality of guide vane connecting bolts.

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