Adjustable Aft Mounting Device for Turbine Engine Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Spring-loaded aft mounts in gas turbine systems behave inconsistently, leading to gearbox misalignment and excessive wear due to variable spring forces and thermal expansion, resulting in potential engine cantilevering and gearbox failure.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable aft mounting device with a force determinator, such as a strain gauge, allows for precise alignment and force loading adjustments between the turbine engine and support structure, accommodating thermal expansion through radial and axial movement, ensuring consistent alignment and reduced stress on the gearbox.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If spring-loaded aft mounts are used to support the turbine engine, then the engine can be mounted with vertical load bearing capability, but the spring forces become highly variable (up to 1000 pounds) causing inconsistent leveling and gearbox misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring-loaded component from the aft mounting system entirely. Instead of using springs to bear vertical loads, the engine is supported by solid mounting surfaces that directly transfer loads to the gearbox and pylon structure, eliminating the variability inherent in spring mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces shims as intermediary elements between the engine mounting surfaces and the solid support structure. These shims allow for precise adjustment of the engine's position and alignment, enabling consistent leveling while maintaining solid mechanical support without springs.
2Ease of manufacture
If spring-loaded aft mounts are used to provide vertical support, then the engine can be mounted, but the nonplanar surfaces and setup variability make technician setup highly variable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates alignment features and shimming mechanisms that enable technicians to self-correct alignment issues during installation. The system includes built-in adjustment capabilities that allow the installer to achieve proper alignment without requiring highly precise pre-manufacturing or specialized skill sets.
3Force
If the engine is mounted with spring-loaded aft mounts, then vertical loads can be borne, but the engine cantilevers and causes gearbox misalignment leading to excessive gear wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring mechanism that causes cantilevering and instead uses rigid mounting surfaces supported by the gearbox and pylon structure. This solid support system eliminates the cantilever effect and ensures proper alignment between the engine and gearbox, preventing excessive gear wear.
4Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable mounting devices are used to accommodate thermal expansion, then alignment can be maintained during running conditions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates adjustable components such as shims and alignment mechanisms that allow the mounting system to adapt to thermal expansion and contraction of the engine during operation. These components enable the system to maintain proper alignment across different temperature conditions while keeping the overall structure relatively simple through modular adjustment elements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides consistent and accurate force loading, reduces gearbox stress, and minimizes setup variability, preventing cantilevering and potential gearbox failure by aligning the engine and gearbox units during operational conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A force determinator can be configured to determine a force load of the engine unit at the location of the aft mounting device
Implementation Method 2
The engine unit may have a determinable force load at an engine running condition. At the engine running condition, the engine unit may be capable of thermal expansion along the axial axis and in the radial direction
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting system is provided to couple an engine unit including a turbine engine portion coupled to a gearbox portion about an axial axis to a support structure. An aft mounting device can couple the turbine engine portion to the support structure. A force determinator can be configured to determine a force load of the engine unit at the location of the aft mounting device. The length of the aft mounting device is adjustable between the turbine engine portion and the support structure in a radial direction to substantially align the gearbox portion and the engine portion relative to the axial axis. The aft mounting device may be sized to a desired length to correspond to a force load of the engine unit during the running condition.