Bearing Compartment Removal Using a Segmented Turbine Support Wedge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current maintenance and replacement procedures for bearing compartments in gas turbine engines require the removal of other structures, increasing maintenance and replacement time due to the complex interdependencies of components.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a wedge-shaped tool that redistributes the weight of the low pressure turbine, allowing the bearing compartment housing to be removed from the gas turbine engine without disassembling the low pressure turbine shaft, by inserting the tool between the aft portion of the low pressure turbine and the forward portion of the turbine exhaust case and decoupling the bearing compartment housing from the turbine shaft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional maintenance procedures are used to remove bearing compartments, then the bearing compartments can be removed, but other engine structures must also be removed which increases maintenance time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a segmented wedge-shaped tool that can be inserted between the low pressure turbine and turbine exhaust case to locally support the turbine weight. This segmentation allows the bearing compartment housing to be removed independently without requiring removal of other engine structures, thus improving maintenance productivity while reducing disassembly complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The wedge-shaped tool acts as an intermediary device between the low pressure turbine and the support structure. By inserting this tool, the turbine weight is transferred to the wedge rather than the bearing compartment housing, enabling the housing to be removed without affecting other engine components. This intermediary approach resolves the contradiction by allowing selective removal of only the bearing compartment
2Ease of operation
If bearing compartment housing is removed without supporting the low pressure turbine, then the removal process is simpler, but the turbine weight causes instability and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge-shaped tool provides counterbalancing support to offset the weight of the low pressure turbine during bearing compartment removal. By inserting the wedge between the turbine and exhaust case, the tool bears the turbine weight, preventing instability and potential damage while allowing the bearing compartment housing to be easily removed
Solution Approach 2:
The invention requires preliminary insertion of the wedge-shaped tool to support the turbine weight before attempting to remove the bearing compartment housing. This preliminary action ensures structural stability is maintained throughout the removal process, making the operation both easy and safe
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
This approach reduces maintenance and replacement time by enabling the targeted removal of bearing compartments without affecting other engine components, thus streamlining the process and reducing overall assembly/disassembly time.
Implementation Method 1
The tool may be configured to redistribute weight of the low pressure turbine from the bearing compartment housing to the tool
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method of removing a bearing compartment from a gas turbine engine comprising inserting a tool between an aft portion of a low pressure turbine and a forward portion of a turbine exhaust case, the tool comprising one of a single wedge-shaped ring or a plurality of wedge-shaped segments, removing a plurality of fasteners coupling a flange of a bearing compartment housing to the turbine exhaust case, the bearing compartment housing containing the bearing compartment, and removing the bearing compartment housing from an aft portion of the gas turbine engine.