Tail cone and assembling method of tail cone

Abstract

A tail cone according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a hemispherical tail cone body; and a fastening portion coupled to the tail cone body and formed in a ring shape along the edge of the tail cone body, wherein the fastening portion comprises a plurality of through portions formed through the radial direction (R) of the fastening portion, and wherein the inner diameter of the through portions decreases as they move toward the center (C) of the fastening portion, and a nut is inserted and coupled inside the through portions, wherein the nut comprises a flange portion, and the flange portion is coupled to the inner surface of the through portions.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tail cone and a method for assembling the tail cone, and more specifically, to a tail cone mounted on a gas turbine engine and a method for assembling the tail cone. Background Technology

[0002] The tail cone is a conical section of the exhaust system of a gas turbine engine, formed from sheet metal, and is used to create a precise change in flow near the exhaust pipe as exhaust gases are discharged from the engine.

[0003] These tail cones are assembled into the main body of a gas turbine engine, but since the assembly must be performed with the assembly tool inserted into the cone shape of the tail cone and the main body, there is a problem with the assembly tool having difficulty accessing the tail cone for assembly.

[0004] Conventionally, the tail cone and the main body were joined using floating nuts; however, floating nuts are difficult to install due to their large volume, and floating nuts made of high-temperature materials have the problem of a complex manufacturing process.

[0005] In addition, when assembling using floating nuts, an additional riveting process is required, leading to issues of increased manufacturing complexity and higher costs due to the addition of this process.

[0006] There is also a technology that joins the tail cone and the main body using clip nuts, but clip nuts have a problem in that their fastening force is relatively weak, making them susceptible to damage from external forces.

[0007] In addition, conventionally, the main body and the tail cone were joined by connecting a fastening member to the overlapping portion of the main body and the tail cone; however, since the thick main body and tail cone sections were overlapped as is, there is a problem in that it is difficult to fasten the two components and the weight of the fastening portion increases.

[0008] In addition, the design of the tail cone that is combined with the main body is limited, and since the main body itself must be combined with the tail cone, the material cost of the main body may increase, and if the shape of the main body is machined to create the part that is combined with the tail cone, a significant amount of material may be removed. Prior art literature

[0009] U.S. Registered Patent 9897011 B2 The problem to be solved

[0010] The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned problems by providing a tail cone and a method for assembling the tail cone, having a structure that facilitates the assembly and disassembly of the main body and the tail cone, which are difficult to access with an assembly tool.

[0011] However, these problems are exemplary, and the problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited thereto. means of solving the problem

[0012] A tail cone according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a hemispherical tail cone body; and a fastening portion coupled to the tail cone body and formed in a ring shape along the edge of the tail cone body, wherein the fastening portion comprises a plurality of through portions formed through the radial direction (R) of the fastening portion, and wherein the inner diameter of the through portions decreases as they move toward the center (C) of the fastening portion, and a nut is inserted and coupled inside the through portions, wherein the nut comprises a flange portion, and the flange portion is coupled to the inner surface of the through portions.

[0013] In a tail cone according to one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of through-holes may be arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the fastening portion.

[0014] In a tail cone according to one embodiment of the present invention, one side of the fastening portion may further include a nut rotation locking projection formed protruding along the circumference of the fastening portion and preventing rotation of the nut.

[0015] In a tail cone according to one embodiment of the present invention, the nut rotation locking projection may be formed to protrude from the fastening portion toward the center (C) of the fastening portion on the opposite side of the tail cone body.

[0016] In a tail cone according to one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of protrusions are formed protruding from the fastening portion and each of the plurality of through portions is formed, and a nut rotation locking projection that prevents rotation of the nut may be formed protruding from one side of each of the plurality of protrusions.

[0017] A method for assembling a tail cone according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: forming a through portion and a nut rotation locking projection in a fastening portion; inserting and joining a nut into the through portion; welding the fastening portion to a tail cone body; and assembling by connecting a main body portion and a fastening portion and fastening a bolt.

[0018] Other aspects, features, and advantages other than those described above will become clear from the specific details, claims, and drawings for implementing the invention below. Effects of the invention

[0019] A tail cone and a method for assembling the tail cone according to one embodiment of the present invention allow the tail cone to be easily assembled and disassembled from the main body even in situations where access to the tail cone assembly tool is difficult.

[0020] In addition, the tail cone and the method of assembling the tail cone according to one embodiment of the present invention have a structure in which a nut is inserted into a plurality of through-holes formed in the tail cone, and a standard nut can be inserted into a through-hole of the same shape, thereby standardizing the nut manufacturing process.

[0021] In addition, the tail cone and the method of assembling the tail cone according to one embodiment of the present invention can provide various effects such as reduced raw material costs, reduced material cutting volume, reduced weight, and shape autonomy by having a fastening structure on the tail cone itself and combining the main body connecting part with the fastening structure of the tail cone.

[0022] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description in the claims. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a tail cone according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a fastening part according to one embodiment of the present invention, at the A-A' portion of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a tail cone combined with a main body part according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a drawing showing part B of Figure 3, in which a tail cone according to one embodiment of the present invention is combined with a connecting part of a main body part. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the CC' portion of FIG. 4, which is a nut and a nut rotation locking projection according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a tail cone according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a drawing showing one side of the fastening portion of a tail cone according to another embodiment of the present invention, part D of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a drawing showing the other side of the fastening part of the tail cone according to another embodiment of the present invention, part D of FIG. 6. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0024] The present invention is capable of various modifications and may have various embodiments; specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the description of the invention. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and it should be understood that the invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. In describing the present invention, the same identification numerals are used for identical components, even if they are illustrated in different embodiments.

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. When describing with reference to the drawings, identical or corresponding components are given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0026] In the following embodiments, terms such as first, second, etc. are used not in a limiting sense, but for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component.

[0027] In the following examples, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0028] In the following embodiments, terms such as "include" or "have" mean that the features or components described in the specification are present, and do not preclude the possibility that one or more other features or components may be added.

[0029] In the drawings, the size of components may be exaggerated or reduced for convenience of explanation. For example, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are depicted arbitrarily for convenience of explanation, so the present invention is not necessarily limited to what is illustrated.

[0030] In the following embodiments, the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis are not limited to three axes in an orthogonal coordinate system and can be interpreted in a broader sense that includes them. For example, the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis may be orthogonal to each other, but they may also refer to different directions that are not orthogonal to each other.

[0031] Where an embodiment can be implemented differently, a specific process sequence may be performed differently from the order described. For example, two processes described consecutively may be performed substantially simultaneously or proceed in the reverse order of the description.

[0032] The terms used in this application are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. In this application, terms such as “comprising” or “having” are intended to indicate the presence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0033] For reference, unless specifically limited in this specification, the driving direction may correspond to the X-axis direction, the width direction to the Y-axis direction, and the height direction to the Z-axis direction.

[0034] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 2, the structure of a tail cone according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0035] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a tail cone according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a fastening part according to one embodiment of the present invention, taken along line A-A' of FIG. 1.

[0036] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a tail cone according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a hemispherical tail cone body (100) and a fastening portion (200) coupled to the tail cone body (100) and formed in a ring shape along the edge of the tail cone body (100). The fastening portion (200) includes a plurality of through portions (210) formed through the radial direction (R) of the fastening portion (200), and the through portions (210) are formed such that the inner diameter of the through portions (210) decreases as they move toward the center (C) of the fastening portion (200).

[0037] The tail cone body (100) is formed in a hemispherical shape. The tail cone body (100) can form a closed space. The tail cone body (100) can be formed of sheet metal. The tail cone shape can induce a change in the flow of exhaust gas discharged from the engine.

[0038] The fastening portion (200) is formed in a ring shape and can be coupled to the ring-shaped edge of the tail cone body (100). As shown in FIG. 3, the fastening portion (200) can be coupled to the main body of the gas turbine engine. The fastening portion (200) may be formed from the same material as the tail cone body (100), but is not limited thereto. Since the part where the fastening portion (200) is located is in a relatively high-temperature environment, it may be formed from a material that can withstand high temperatures, such as Inconel alloy or waspaloy.

[0039] The fastening portion (200) can be joined to the tail cone body (100) by welding. In one embodiment, the fastening portion (200) can be joined to the tail cone body (100) by butt welding or fillet welding. Through this, the fastening portion (200) and the tail cone body (100) are integrated, and at the same time, the joining structure between the tail cone and the main body part can be completed by having a joining structure between the fastening structure formed in the fastening portion (200) and the main body part connection part to be described later.

[0040] The fastening portion (200) includes a plurality of through portions (210) formed through the radial direction (R) of the fastening portion (200). At this time, the plurality of through portions (210) may be arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the fastening portion (200). A nut and a bolt, which will be described later, are inserted into the interior of the through portion (210) to connect the fastening portion (200) with the main body portion.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 1, the through-hole (210) can be formed through in the radial direction (R). A fastening member, which will be described later, can be inserted and coupled in the radial direction (R) into the through-hole (210) formed through in the radial direction (R). That is, by inserting and coupling the fastening member toward the center (C) of the fastening part (200) formed in a ring shape, the durability of the tail cone fastening structure is enhanced compared to when coupled in other directions, and the lightness of the fastening structure can be secured as no other complex structure is required.

[0042] Hereinafter, an assembly structure of a tail cone according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. For details not disclosed in FIGS. 3 to 5, refer to FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 2.

[0043] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a tail cone combined with a main body part according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing part B of FIG. 3, showing a tail cone combined with a connecting part of the main body part according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a nut and a nut rotation locking projection part according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing part CC' of FIG. 4.

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the assembly structure of a tail cone according to one embodiment of the present invention is such that the through-hole (210) is formed such that its inner diameter decreases as it moves toward the center (C) of the fastening part (200), and a nut (300) is inserted and coupled inside the through-hole (210), and the nut (300) includes a flange part (310), and the flange part (310) is coupled to the inner surface part (211) of the through-hole (210).

[0045] A nut (300) can be inserted and coupled into the penetration portion (210). Referring to FIG. 2, the inner diameter of the penetration portion (210) can be formed such that the outer inner diameter (W1) of the penetration portion (210) is larger than the inner inner diameter (W2) of the penetration portion (210). Additionally, a flange portion (310) is formed at one end of the nut (300), and the flange portion (310) is coupled to the inner surface portion (211) of the penetration portion (210) which is formed at an angle, so that the nut (300) can be coupled to the fastening portion (200).

[0046] As in one embodiment of the present invention, a nut (300) including a flange portion (310) may be called a shank nut. A shank nut has a flange portion formed on the nut, and the fixing force of the nut can be improved through the flange portion. In the nut (300) according to one embodiment of the present invention, the flange portion (310) formed on one side of the nut (300) is coupled with the inner surface portion (211) of the through portion (210), thereby fixing the nut (300) to the fastening portion (200).

[0047] A plurality of through-holes (210) may be formed with the same shape and arranged at equal intervals. That is, the nuts (300) can also be manufactured with the same shape and then mounted by being coupled to each through-hole (210), so that the shape of the nuts (300) can be standardized, making it easier to manufacture the nuts (300).

[0048] Referring to FIG. 4, the fastening portion (200) can be combined with the main body portion connecting portion (M1). The main body portion connecting portion (M1) can be formed from a thinner material than the main body portion, and the tail cone body (100) and the fastening portion (200) can also be formed from relatively thin sheet metal. That is, by combining the tail cone body (100) and the fastening portion (200) combined therewith with the connecting portion (M1) which is extended from the main body portion, the weight of the fastening portion can be reduced, and the cost of raw materials can be reduced by reducing the amount of raw materials consumed in the fastening portion. In addition, the amount of structural cutting required when combining thick structures can be reduced, and the shape of the fastening portion and the tail cone body can be varied due to the combination of thin structures.

[0049] On one side of the fastening part (200), a nut rotation stopper (220) may be formed protruding along the circumference of the fastening part (200) to prevent rotation of the nut (300). The nut rotation stopper (220) may be formed protruding from the fastening part (200) toward the center (C) of the fastening part (200) on the opposite side of the tail cone body (100). Referring to FIG. 5, the rotation of the nut rotation stopper (220) can be prevented by being positioned on one side of the nut (300). That is, by preventing the nut (300) from rotating, the fixing force of the nut (300) can be supplemented and the nut (300) can be prevented from detaching from the fastening part (200) through rotation.

[0050] Hereinafter, a tail cone structure according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8. For details not disclosed in FIGS. 6 to 8, refer to FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0051] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a tail cone according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a drawing showing one side of the fastening portion of the tail cone according to another embodiment of the present invention, at part D of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a drawing showing the other side of the fastening portion of the tail cone according to another embodiment of the present invention, at part D of FIG. 6.

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 8, a tail cone structure according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of protrusions (230') each having a plurality of through-holes (210') formed protruding from a fastening portion (200'). At this time, a nut rotation locking projection (220') that prevents rotation of the nut (300) may be formed protruding from one side of each of the plurality of protrusions (230').

[0053] A fastening portion (200') according to another embodiment of the present invention may be formed in a ring shape with a thinner thickness than the fastening portion (200) disclosed in FIG. 1. That is, the fastening portion (200') is formed in a shape with a thinner thickness, and a plurality of protrusions (230') having a through portion (210') may be formed in a shape that protrudes by h from the inner surface of the fastening portion (200'). A plurality of through portions (210') may be disposed in each of the plurality of protrusions (230'). In addition, a plurality of nut rotation locking projections (220') may be disposed in each of the plurality of protrusions (230').

[0054] In this way, by adopting a weight-reducing structure in which the portion of the ring structure of the fastening part (200') where the through-hole (210') is not formed is formed relatively thinly, the volume of the fastening part (200') where no load is applied is reduced, thereby making the fastening part (200') lighter overall. In addition, due to the reduction in thickness of the fastening part (200'), there is an effect of securing internal space for the fastening part (200') and the tail cone body (100).

[0055] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, a method for assembling a tail cone according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0056] A method for assembling a tail cone according to one embodiment of the present invention sequentially performs the steps of forming a through-hole (210) and a nut rotation locking projection (220) in a fastening portion (200), inserting and joining a nut (300) into the through-hole (210), welding the fastening portion (200) to a tail cone body (100), and assembling by connecting the main body portion (M) and the fastening portion (200) and fastening a bolt (400).

[0057] First, before the fastening part (200) is coupled to the tail cone body (100), the through-hole (210) and the nut rotation locking projection (220) formed in the fastening part (200) can be manufactured. Additionally, a nut (300) can be inserted and coupled into the manufactured through-hole (210). After manufacturing the fastening structure formed in the fastening part (200) in this manner, the fastening part (200) with the manufactured fastening structure can be mounted to the tail cone body (100), thereby allowing the tail cone to have a fastening structure simply by the process of coupling the fastening part (200) to the tail cone body (100) without the need for an assembly tool to enter the tail cone.

[0058] The fastening part (200) is joined to the tail cone body (100) by welding. Through this, the fastening part (200) and the tail cone body (100) are formed integrally, thereby ensuring durability between the tail cone and the main body.

[0059] After the fastening part (200) is welded to the tail cone body (100), the step of connecting the main body part (M) and the fastening part (200) and fastening the bolt (400) can be carried out. Through this, the fastening part (200) and the main body part (M) are joined, and as a result, the tail cone can be joined to the main body part. The bolt (400) can be joined to the main body part connecting part (M1) and the fastening part (200) by being inserted and joined inside the pre-assembled nut (300).

[0060] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, this is merely illustrative. Those skilled in the art will fully understand that various modifications and equivalent alternative embodiments are possible from the embodiments. Accordingly, the true technical scope of protection of the present invention should be determined based on the appended claims.

[0061] The specific technical details described in the embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the technical scope of the embodiments. To make the description of the invention concise and clear, descriptions of general prior art and configurations may be omitted. Furthermore, the connections of lines or connecting members between components depicted in the drawings are illustrative of functional connections and / or physical or circuit connections, and may be replaced or represented by various additional functional, physical, or circuit connections in actual devices. Additionally, unless specifically stated with terms such as "essential" or "importantly," a component may not be strictly necessary for the application of the present invention.

[0062] The term "the above" or similar designations in the description of the invention and claims may refer to both singular and plural forms unless specifically limited otherwise. Furthermore, where a range is described in the embodiments, it is considered to include the invention with respect to individual values ​​within said range (unless otherwise stated), and is equivalent to describing each individual value constituting said range in the description of the invention. Additionally, regarding the steps constituting the method according to the embodiments, the steps may be performed in a suitable order unless explicitly stated or otherwise stated. The embodiments are not necessarily limited by the order in which the steps are described. The use of all examples or exemplary terms (e.g., etc.) in the embodiments is merely for the purpose of describing the embodiments in detail, and the scope of the embodiments is not limited by said examples or exemplary terms unless otherwise limited by the claims. Furthermore, a person skilled in the art will understand that various modifications, combinations, and changes may be made according to design conditions and factors within the scope of the claims or equivalents to which they are added. Explanation of the symbols

[0063] 100: Tail Cone Body 200: Connecting part 210: Penetration 211: Inner side 220: Nut rotation locking tab 230: Protrusion 300: Nut 310: Flange section 400: Bolt

Claims

Claim 1 A tail cone comprising: a hemispherical tail cone body; and a fastening portion coupled to the tail cone body and formed in a ring shape along the edge of the tail cone body, wherein the fastening portion comprises a plurality of through portions formed through the radial direction (R) of the fastening portion, wherein the inner diameter of the through portions decreases as they move toward the center (C) of the fastening portion, wherein a nut is inserted and coupled inside the through portion, wherein the nut comprises a flange portion, wherein the flange portion is coupled to the inner surface of the through portion, wherein the fastening portion is formed protruding from the inner surface of the fastening portion and comprises a plurality of protrusions in which the plurality of through portions are each formed, wherein a nut rotation stop portion is formed on one side of each of the plurality of protrusions to prevent rotation of the nut, and wherein the portion between the plurality of protrusions where the through portion is not formed is formed thinner than the plurality of protrusions. Claim 2 In claim 1, the plurality of through-holes are tail cones arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the fastening part. Claim 3 delete Claim 4 In claim 1, the nut rotation locking projection is formed to protrude from the fastening portion toward the center (C) of the fastening portion on the opposite side of the tail cone body. Claim 5 delete Claim 6 delete

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