METHOD FOR ALIGNING A SET OF CRANKCASE EACH EQUIPPED WITH AN RING FLANGE

Abstract

TITLE: MEANS FOR ALIGNING A SET OF HOUSINGS, EACH EQUIPPED WITH AN ANNULAR FLANGE. One aspect of the invention relates to an assembly (10) comprising a first and a second housing (20, 30), each equipped with an annular flange (200, 300). The annular flange (200) of the first housing comprises at least one projecting element (210) extending axially outward from the flange. The annular flange (300) of the second housing comprises at least one orifice (310) extending axially inward from the flange, the orifice (310) being connected to at least one channel (320, 330) opening outward from the flange. In the assembled position of the flanges: the protruding element is received in the orifice, at least one pocket (40) is formed between the housing orifice and the protruding element, and the pocket (40) is filled with a granular solid (50). Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Figure 1

Description

Description Title of the invention: MEANS FOR ALIGNING A SET OF CASINGS EACH EQUIPPED WITH A FLANGE ANNULAR TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] = The present invention relates to the field of casing assemblies of a tur- aircraft engine.

[0002] — The present invention relates more particularly to a means of aligning a set of casings, an assembly method and a disassembly method of the set of casings. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Generally, a set of casings comprises at least a first and a second casings each equipped with an annular X-axis flange comprising a surface contact. The first and second housings are movable relative to each other between : an assembled position of the annular flanges according to which their surface of contact are arranged against each other, and a disassembled position.

[0004] — In the assembled position of the annular flanges of the first and second casings, the annular flanges are aligned with each other by an alignment means. The alignment means may be, for example, a plurality of bolted connections or a plurality of centering pins cooperating in holes.

[0005] …— In the case of an alignment means in the form of bolted connections, each annular flange of the first and second housings comprises a connecting interface. assembled position of the annular flanges, the connecting interfaces are connected to each other the other by a plurality of fixing devices, of the screw-nut type.

[0006] In the case of an alignment means in the form of centering pins - orifices, the annular flange of the first casing comprises a plurality of distributed centering pins circumferentially on its contact surface and the annular flange of the second casing comprises a plurality of orifices in the form of blind or through holes distributed circumferentially on its contact surface. In the assembled position of the annular flanges, each of the centering pins of the annular flange of the first casing is received in one of the orifices.

[0007] — However, such alignment means require very precise machining of the flanges annular rings of the first and second casings of the casing assembly. Therefore, in the event of a defect during machining, the alignment of the annular flanges one by one relative to each other is defective. Furthermore, the alignment means according to the first and second examples does not allow adjustment of the alignment of the annular flanges relative to each other. Therefore, adjustment of the alignment requires replacement of a part. Summary of the invention The invention provides a solution to the problems mentioned above, by proposing a set of casings each equipped with an annular flange having a particular architecture forming a means of aligning two annular flanges, one with respect to the other. A first aspect of the invention relates to an assembly comprising a first and a second casing each equipped with an annular flange of axis X comprising a contact surface, the first and second casings being movable relative to each other between an assembled position of the annular flanges in which their contact surfaces are arranged against each other, and a disassembled position of the annular flanges. The annular flange of the first casing comprises at least one projecting element extending axially from its contact surface towards the outside of the annular flange, the projecting element being geometrically delimited by walls. The annular flange of the second casing comprises at least one orifice extending axially from its contact surface towards the inside of the annular flange, the orifice being geometrically delimited by walls, and connected to at least one channel opening outside the annular flange, including a supply channel. In the assembled position of the annular flanges of the first and second housings: the protruding element is received in the orifice, at least one pocket is formed between the walls of the orifice the walls of the projecting element, and the pocket is filled with a granular solid. The set of casings according to the invention makes it possible, thanks to the presence of at least one pocket filled with a granular solid, to form a means of aligning the annular flanges with respect to one another, in the assembled position of the annular flanges of the first and second casings. In addition, the granular solid is in the form of a stack of a multitude of grains contained inside the pocket which can move with respect to one another and thus allow the adjustment of the alignment of the annular flanges with respect to one another. According to a first embodiment of the invention, the annular flange of the first casing comprises a single projecting element extending along the entire circumference of the annular flange, and the annular flange of the second casing comprises a single orifice extending around the entire circumference of the annular flange. According to a second embodiment of the invention, the annular flange of the first casing comprises a plurality of projecting elements each in the form of an axis, and the annular flange of the second casing comprises a plurality of orifices each receiving a projecting element. Preferably, the projecting elements of the second embodiment of the annular flange of the first casing are distributed circumferentially on the contact surface of the annular flange of the first casing, and the orifices are distributed circumferentially on the contact surface of the annular flange of the second casing. Preferably, the annular flange of the second casing comprises at least one closing device, each closing a channel. Advantageously, the orifice is connected to the supply channel and to a discharge channel arranged radially on either side of the orifice. Advantageously, the supply channel and the discharge channel of the first embodiment are diametrically opposite each other. A second aspect of the invention relates to a method of assembling the annular flanges of a first and a second casing of an assembly according to the invention, the method comprises the following successive steps: inserting the protruding element into the hole so that the surface of contact of the annular flange of the first casing is arranged against the surface of contact of the annular flange of the second casing, axial and radial alignment of the annular flanges of the first and second casings relative to each other, filling the pocket with the granular solid through the feed channel, And transition of the granular solid inside the pocket, from a deformable state to a non-deformable state of the granular solid. Preferably, the assembly method comprises, before the filling step, an additional step of rotating the first and second casings to a high position of the supply channel. Advantageously, the assembly method comprises, between the filling step and the transition step, an additional step of closing the supply channel by introducing the sealing device into the supply channel. According to a first variant of the transition step, this includes a sub-step of agglomeration of the granular solid carried out by the introduction of an agglomerating solution inside the pocket. According to a second variant of the transition stage, this comprises a sub-stage of compression of the granular solid carried out by the introduction of compressed air at inside the pocket. A third aspect of the invention relates to a method for disassembling the annular flanges of a first and a second casing of an assembly according to the invention, the method comprises the following successive steps: rotation of the first and second casings to a low position of the channel, opening the canal by removing the canal sealing device, transition of the granular solid inside the pocket, from an undeformable state to a deformable state of the granular solid, and evacuation of the granular solid from the pocket, through the channel in the low position and connected to this pocket. According to a first variant of the transition step, this includes a sub-step of introducing a dissolving solution inside the pocket. According to a second variant of the transition step, this comprises a sub-step of introducing an aqueous solution inside the pocket via the feed channel. The invention and its various applications will be better understood by reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear on reading the following description, illustrated by the figures in which: [Fig. 1] is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a set comprising a first and a second casing each equipped with a flange annular of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, in assembled position annular flanges of the first and second housings; [Fig.2] is a schematic representation, seen from the front, of the first and second casings of [Fig.1] according to a first embodiment of the invention, in the disassembled position of the annular flanges of the first and second casings; [Fig.3] is a schematic representation, seen from the front, of the first and second casings of [Fig.1] according to a second embodiment of the invention, in the disassembled position of the annular flanges of the first and second casings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION An exemplary embodiment of a set of casings according to the invention is described in detail below, with reference to the accompanying drawings. This example illustrates the characteristics and advantages of the invention. Unless otherwise specified, the same element appearing on different figures presents a unique reference. For the understanding of the invention, the radial and axial orientations will be adopted according to which the axial orientation is parallel to an axis X of the annular flanges of the first and second casings of the assembly, and the radial orientation is perpendicular to the axis X. In the description, the terms "internal" and "external" are defined relative to the X axis, the term "internal" designates the element closest to the X axis of rotation, as opposed to the term "external" which designates the element furthest from the X axis, in particular in the expressions "internal surface" and "external surface", "internal wall" and "external wall", and "internal portion" and "external portion". [Fig. 1] represents a set 10 of casings comprising a first and a second casing 20, 30 each equipped with an annular flange 200, 300 of axis X. Each annular flange 200, 300 is geometrically delimited by: an internal surface 200A, 300A circumferential, an external circumferential surface 200B, 300B, radially opposite the internal surface 200A, 300A, a contact surface 202, 302 perpendicular to the X axis. The first and second housings 20, 30 are movable relative to each other between an assembled position of the annular flanges 200, 300 in which their contact surface 202, 302 are arranged against each other, as shown in [Fig. 1], and a disassembled position of the annular flanges 200, 300, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The annular flange 200 of the first casing 20 of the assembly 10 according to the first embodiment comprises a single projecting element 210 extending axially from its contact surface 202, towards the outside of the annular flange 200. The projecting element 210 extends along the entire circumference of the annular flange 200 so as to form a circumferential collar and extends substantially perpendicular to the contact surface 202 of the annular flange 200 of the first casing 20. The projecting element 210 is geometrically delimited by an internal wall 214 and an external wall 216 radially opposite the internal wall 214, and a free end wall 218, axially opposite the contact surface 202 of the annular flange 200. The annular flange 200 of the first casing 20 comprises an internal portion 204 and an external portion 206 arranged radially on either side of the projecting element 210. The annular flange 300 of the second casing 30 of the assembly 10 according to the first embodiment comprises a single orifice 310 extending axially from its contact surface 302, towards the inside of the annular flange 300. The orifice 310 extends along the entire circumference of the annular flange 300 so as to form a circumferential groove and extends substantially perpendicular to the surface of contact 302 of the annular flange 300 of the second casing 30. The orifice 310 is geometrically delimited by an internal wall 314, an external wall 316 and an internal end wall 318, axially opposite the contact surface 302 of the annular flange 300. The dimensions of the orifice 310 are strictly greater than that of the projecting element 210. Advantageously, the orifice 310 has a shape homothetic enlarged to that of the projecting element 210. The annular flange 300 of the second casing 30 comprises an internal portion 304 and an external portion 306 arranged radially on either side of the circumferential orifice 310. As shown in figures | and 2, the annular flange 300 of the second casing 30 comprises a supply channel 320 and a discharge channel 330 each arranged in the external portion 306 of the annular flange 300 of the second casing 30. The supply channel 320 and the discharge channel are each connected to the orifice 310 and each open into the external surface 300B of the annular flange 300, outside the annular flange 300. Advantageously, the supply channel 320 and the discharge channel 330 are diametrically opposite one another. According to a variant not shown, the annular flange 300 of the second casing 30 comprises a single channel 320 corresponding to both a supply channel and an evacuation channel. The annular flange 200 of the first casing 20 according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it comprises a plurality of projecting elements 210 each in the form of a stud extending axially from its contact surface 202, towards the outside of the annular flange 200. The projecting elements 210 are distributed circumferentially on the contact surface 202 of the annular flange 200 of the first casing 20. Each projecting element 210 extends substantially perpendicular to the contact surface 202 of the annular flange 200 of the first casing 20 and is geometrically delimited by a side wall 212 and a free end wall 218, axially opposite the contact surface 202 of the annular flange 200. As shown in [Fig. 3], each projecting element has a circular section. The annular flange 200 of the first casing 20 comprises an internal portion 204 and an external portion 206 arranged radially on either side of the projecting elements 210. The annular flange 300 of the second casing 30 according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it comprises a plurality of orifices 310 each in the form of a blind hole extending axially from its contact surface 302, towards the inside of the annular flange 300. The orifices 310 are distributed circumferentially on the contact surface 302 of the annular flange 300 of the second casing 30. Each orifice 310 extends substantially perpendicular to the contact surface 302 of the annular flange 300 of the second casing 30 and is geometrically delimited by a side wall 312 and an inner end wall 318, axially opposite the contact surface 302 of the annular flange 300. The dimensions of each orifice 310 are strictly greater than that of each projecting element 210. Advantageously, each orifice 310 has a shape homothetic enlarged to that of each projecting element 210. As shown in [Fig.3], the orifice 310 has a circular section. According to a variant not shown, the projecting element 210 may have a rectangular or square section and the orifice 310 then has a rectangular or square section respectively. The annular flange 300 of the second casing 30 according to the second embodiment comprises a plurality of channels 320 each arranged in the external portion 306 of the annular flange 300 of the second casing 30. Each channel 320 is connected to one of the orifices 310 and opens into the external surface 300B of the annular flange 300, outside the annular flange 300. More particularly, each orifice 310 is connected to a single channel 320 corresponding to both a supply channel and an evacuation channel. The channels 320 are distributed circumferentially on the external surface 300B of the annular flange of the second casing 30. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the annular flange 300 of the second casing 30 according to the first and second embodiments may comprise at least one closure device 322, 332 each configured to close a channel 320, 330. Each closure device 322, 332 is for example in the form of a screw inserted into the channel 320, 330 to be closed. In the assembled position of the annular flanges 200, 300 of the first and second casings 20, 30, according to the first and second embodiments: the inner portion 204 of the annular flange 200 of the first casing 20 is arranged opposite the internal portion 304 the annular flange 300 of the second casing 30, and the external portion 206 of the annular flange 200 of the first casing 20 is arranged opposite the external portion 306 the annular flange 300 of the second casing 30. Additionally, in the assembled position according to the first embodiment, the circumferential protruding element 210 is received in the circumferential orifice 310. In the assembled position according to the second embodiment, each protruding element 210 is received in one of the orifices 310. The fact that the dimensions of each orifice 310 are strictly greater than those of each projecting element 210 forms at least one pocket 40 between the side wall 312 and the end wall 318 of each orifice 310 and the side wall 212 and the wall end 218 of each protruding element 210. The volume of each pocket 40 corresponds to the volume of the orifice 310 minus the volume of the protruding element 210. Each pocket 40 is filled with a granular solid 50. The set 10 of casings according to the first embodiment comprises a single circumferential pocket 40 and the set 10 of casings according to the second embodiment comprises a plurality of pockets 40. According to the first and second embodiments of the invention, the granular solid 50 is in the form of a stack of a multitude of grains contained inside the pocket 40. The granular solid 50 comprises, for example, grains of sand or a mixture of aggregates of a ceramic matrix composite material and aggregates of a resin with high thermal conductivity. The granular solid 50 may be in either a deformable state or a non-deformable state within the pocket 40. More particularly, in the deformable state of the granular solid 50, the intergranular space is large enough to allow movement of the grains relative to one another and thus move and align the annular flanges 200, 300 of the first and second housings 20, 30 relative to one another. In contrast, in the non-deformable state of the granular solid 50, the intergranular space is minimized to prevent movement of the grains relative to one another and thus block any axial or radial movement of the annular flanges 200, 300 of the first and second housings 20, 30 relative to one another. The method of assembling a set 10 of casings consists of assembling the annular flange 200 of the first casing 20 with the annular flange 300 of the second casing 30. In general, such an assembly method is used to produce a testing machine. The method of assembling the set of casings 10 according to the first and second embodiments of the invention, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, comprises the following successive steps: positioning the first and second casings 20, 30 so that the flanges annular 200, 300 of each of the first and second casings 20, 30 extend substantially vertically, inserting each protruding element 210 into each orifice 310 so that that the contact surface 202 of the annular flange 200 of the first casing 20 is arranged against the contact surface 302 of the annular flange 300 of the second casing 30, axial and radial alignment of the annular flanges 200, 300 of the first and second casings 20, 30 relative to each other, rotation of the first and second casings 20, 30 to a high position of the feed channel 320, filling the pocket 40 with the granular solid 50 through the channel 320 power supply, and transition of the granular solid 50 inside the pocket 40 previously filled, from the deformable state to the non-deformable state of the granular solid 50. The method of assembling a set 10 of casings according to the first embodiment equipped with an evacuation channel 320 and a closure device 322, comprises, before the filling step, an additional step of closing each evacuation channel 330 by introducing the closure device 332 into the evacuation channel 330. The method of assembling a set 10 of casings according to the second embodiment comprises a step of repeating the successive steps of rotation, filling and immobilization for each of the pockets 40 of the set 10 of casings. The step of repeating the assembly method makes it possible to fill each of the pockets 40 with the granular solid 50, one by one, through each of the channels 320. The rotation step of the method for assembling the set 10 of casings according to the first and second embodiments makes it possible to position the feed channel 320 above the axis X, in a vertical direction V, to fill the pocket 40 by gravity. Preferably, the feed channel 320 is positioned at the highest point of the annular flange 300, in the vertical direction V in order to facilitate the filling of the pocket 40 by gravity. The method of assembling the set 10 of casings according to the first and second embodiments may comprise, between the filling step and the transition step, an additional step of adjusting the alignment of the annular flanges 200, 300 of the first and second casings 20, 30, relative to each other. The adjustment step is carried out by moving the annular flanges 200, 300 relative to each other involving the movement of each projecting element 210 in each orifice 310. Such movements cause the movement of the grains of the granular solid 50 inside the pocket 40 and their redistribution around each projecting element 210. The transition step of the assembly process towards the non-deformable state of the granular solid 50 makes it possible to immobilize the grains of the granular solid inside the pocket 40, with each other. The transition step of the method for assembling the set 10 of casings according to the first and second embodiments, equipped with a device 322 for closing the feed channel 320 which is intended for the evacuation of the granular solid 50, comprises the following successive sub-steps: compaction of the grains of the granular solid 50 inside the pocket 40 pre- loosely filled, by hammering the set 10 of casings, and closing the feed channel 320 which is connected to the pre-pocket 40 relatable filled, by the introduction of the sealing device 322 into the feed channel 320. The transition step of the method for assembling the set 10 of casings according to the first and second embodiments, without a closure device 322, comprises one of the following sub-steps: agglomeration of the granular solid 50 by the introduction of an ag- solution glomerant inside each previously filled pocket 40, or compression of the granular solid 50 by the introduction of compressed air to inside the previously filled pocket 40. The method of disassembling the assembly 10 of casings according to the first and second embodiments equipped with an annular flange 300 of the second casing 30, comprises the following successive steps: rotation of the first and second casings 20, 30 to a low position of the channel 320, 330 intended for the evacuation of granular solid 50, transition of the granular solid 50 inside the pocket 40 which is connected to the channel 320, 330 in low position, non-deformable state to deformable state granular solid 50, and evacuation of the granular solid 50 previously released, from the pocket 40, by the channel 320, 330 connected to this pocket 40. The evacuation step of the method for disassembling a set 10 of casings according to the first embodiment, equipped with a supply channel 320 and an evacuation channel 330, is carried out via the evacuation channel 330. The evacuation step of the disassembly process of a set 10 of casings according to the first embodiment equipped with a single channel 320, is carried out by the single channel 320, that is to say by the same channel 320 as that used during the filling step of the assembly process. The method of disassembling the set 10 of casings according to the second embodiment comprises a step of repeating the successive steps of rotation, transition and evacuation for each pocket 40 of the set 10 of casings. The repetition step makes it possible to empty the granular solid 50 from each of the pockets 40, one by one, through each of the channels 320. The rotation step of the method for disassembling the assembly 10 of casings according to the first and second embodiments makes it possible to position the supply channel 320 below the axis X, in the vertical direction V, to empty the pocket 40 by gravity. Preferably, the discharge channel 330 is positioned at the lowest point of the annular flange 300, in the vertical direction V, in order to facilitate the emptying of the pocket 40 by gravity. The transition step of the disassembly process to the deformable state of the granular solid 50 makes it possible to release the grains of the granular solid 50 inside the pocket 40, relative to each other, before the evacuation step. The transition step of the method for disassembling the assembly 10 of casings according to the first and second embodiments, equipped with a device 322, 332 for closing the channel 320, 330 which is intended for the evacuation of the granular solid 50, necessarily comprises a sub-step of opening the channel 320, 330 by removing the device 322, 332 for closing the channel 320, 330. The transition step of the method for disassembling the assembly 10 of casings according to the first and second embodiments, without a closure device 322, may comprise for example a sub-step of introducing a dissolving solution inside the pocket 40. The transition step of the method for assembling the set 10 of casings according to the first embodiment, equipped with a supply channel 320 and an evacuation channel 330 of the annular flange 300 of the second casing 30 may comprise the following successive sub-steps: introduction of an aqueous solution inside the pocket 40 through the channel 320 power supply, and drainage of granular solid mixture 50 — aqueous solution through the channel evacuation 330. The set 10 of casings according to the invention offers a solution for adjusting the alignment of the annular flanges 200, 300 of the first and second casings 20, 30 relative to each other thanks to the presence of a pocket 40 filled with a granular solid 50. Consequently, in the case of a defect during machining, or a modification of the alignment, the alignment of the annular flanges 200, 300 relative to each other can be corrected.

Claims

Claims

1. Assembly (10) comprising a first and a second casing (20, 30) each equipped with an annular flange (200, 300) of X axis comprising a contact surface (202, 302), the first and second casings (20, 30) being movable relative to each other between an assembled position of the annular flanges (200, 300) according to which their contact surface (202, 302) are arranged against each other, and a disassembled position annular flanges (200, 300), characterized in that: the annular flange (200) of the first casing (20) comprises at least at least one axially extending projecting element (210) from its contact surface (202) towards the outside of the flange annular (200), the projecting element (210) being geographically delimited metrically by walls (212, 214, 216), the annular flange (300) of the second casing (30) comprises at least at least one orifice (310) extending axially from its contact surface (302) towards the inside of the annular flange (300), the orifice (310) being geometrically delimited by walls (312, 314, 316), and connected to at least one channel (320, 330) opening outside the annular flange (300), one of which feed channel (320), in the assembled position of the annular flanges (200, 300) of the first and second casings (20, 30): the projecting element (210) is received in the orifice (310), at least one pocket (40) is formed between the walls (312, 314, 316) of the orifice (310) and the walls (212, 214, 216) of the projecting element (210), and the pocket (40) is filled with a granular solid (50).

2. Assembly (10) according to claim 1, characterized: in that the annular flange (200) of the first casing (20) comprises a single projecting element (210) extending along the entire circumference of the annular flange (200), and in that the annular flange (300) of the second casing (30) comprises a single orifice (310) extending along the entire circum- annular flange conference (300).

3. Assembly (10) according to claim 1. characterized: in that the annular flange (200) of the first casing (20) comprises a plurality of protruding elements (210) each in the form of an axis, and in that the annular flange (300) of the second casing (30) comprises a plurality of orifices (310) each receiving a projecting element (210).

4. An assembly (10) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the annular flange (300) of the second casing (30) comprises at least one sealing device (322, 332) each closing a channel (320).

5. An assembly (10) according to any preceding claim, characterized: in that the orifice (310) is connected to the supply channel (320) and to an evacuation channel (330), and in that the feed channel (320) and the channel evacuation (330) are arranged radially on either side of the orifice (310).

6. Method of assembling the annular flanges (200, 300) of a first and of a second casing (20, 30) of an assembly (10) according to one any of claims 1 to 5, the assembly method comprising the following successive stages: inserting the protruding element (210) into the orifice (310) of so that the contact surface (202) of the annular flange (200) of the first casing (20) is arranged against the surface of contact (302) of the annular flange (300) of the second casing (30), axial and radial alignment of the annular flanges (200, 300) of the first and second casings (20, 30) relative to each other the other, filling the pocket (40) with the granular solid (50) by the feed channel (320), and transition of the granular solid (50) inside the pocket (40), from a deformable state to an undeformable state of the granular solid (50).

7. An assembly method according to claim 6 in combination with the claims 3 and 4, characterized in that it comprises, between the step of filling and transition step, an additional closing step of the feed channel (320) by the introduction of the device sealing (322) in the feed channel (320).

8. Assembly method according to claim 7, characterized in that the transition stage includes a sub-stage of agglomeration of the solid granular (50) produced by the introduction of an agglomerating solution to inside the pocket (40).

9. Assembly method according to claim 7, characterized in that the transition stage includes a sub-stage of compression of the solid granular (50) produced by the introduction of compressed air inside the pocket (40).

10. A method of disassembling the annular flanges (200, 300) of a first and a second casing (20, 30) of an assembly (10) according to one any of claims 1 to 5, the disassembly method comprising the following successive stages: rotation of the first and second casings (20, 30) until a low channel position (320, 330), opening of the channel (320, 330) by removing the device sealing (322, 332) of the channel (320, 330), transition of the granular solid (50) inside the pocket (40), from an undeformable state to a deformable state of the solid granular (50), and evacuation of the granular solid (50) from the pocket (40) by the channel (320, 330) in the low position and connected to this pocket (40).