Coil Spring Hanger for Exhaust Duct Liner Thermal Growth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engine hanger assemblies face challenges in accommodating misalignment, thermal growth differentials, pressure loads, and high temperatures within a confined environment, while also requiring simplified assembly and reduced costs.
Innovation Solution
A spring-connected hanger assembly is used, comprising a first duct, a second duct with an opening, and a coil spring connecting them, with bracket portions and a casing plate to provide support and allow relative movement, minimizing leakage and accommodating thermal expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional rigid hanger assemblies are used to support the exhaust liner, then structural support and alignment are provided, but the assembly complexity increases and cost increases due to requirements for shimming and rigging to accommodate misalignment and thermal growth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the hanger from rigid to flexible by introducing a spring element. This parameter change allows the hanger to dynamically adapt to thermal expansion and misalignment, eliminating the need for complex shimming and rigging procedures while maintaining reliable support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static rigid hanger assembly to a dynamic spring-based system that can move and adjust in response to thermal growth and misalignment. The spring allows controlled movement in multiple directions, providing adaptability without increasing assembly complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If rigid hanger assemblies with multiple components are used to accommodate thermal growth and misalignment, then adaptability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (support, alignment accommodation, thermal growth compensation) into a single spring-based hanger assembly. The spring element simultaneously provides structural support and accommodates movement in multiple directions, reducing the total number of parts compared to traditional rigid assemblies requiring separate shims, bolts, and adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring's elastic properties enable it to change its physical state in response to thermal expansion, providing adaptability through material behavior rather than through multiple discrete mechanical components.
3Reliability
If traditional hanger assemblies are used in the confined space of the exhaust duct, then support functionality is provided, but the ease of installation deteriorates due to difficult access and complex assembly procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The hanger assembly is segmented into modular components (spring element, mounting brackets, fasteners) that can be independently handled and assembled. This segmentation allows for easier manipulation in confined spaces compared to monolithic rigid assemblies, while maintaining the required support function.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic spring mechanism allows for self-adjustment during installation, reducing the precision requirements for alignment and minimizing the need for complex adjustment procedures in difficult-to-access locations.
4Ease of manufacture
If simplified hanger designs are used to reduce cost and assembly complexity, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to accommodate thermal growth and misalignment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element's elastic properties provide misalignment and thermal growth accommodation through material deformation rather than through complex mechanical adjustments. This approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving the required adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-based hanger is self-adjusting and requires no external shimming or rigging procedures. The spring automatically compensates for misalignment and thermal expansion through its elastic deformation, eliminating the need for additional components or complex assembly procedures.
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 effectively supports the exhaust liner, accommodating thermal and mechanical stresses, reducing part count, minimizing leakage, and eliminating the need for shimming or rigging, while maintaining flexibility and adaptability to load requirements.
Implementation Method 1
A spring connects the first and second ducts together and has first and second ends
Implementation Method 2
The hanger assemblies are required to accommodate misalignment, complex shapes, large thermal growth differentials, significant pressure loads and high temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes providing an exhaust liner as a first duct, providing a second duct having an opening therein, and spacing the first duct radially inward of the second duct. A spring connects the first and second ducts together and has first and second ends. A first mount comprises a first bracket portion associated with the spring and a second bracket portion directly fixed to the first duct. The first bracket portion is directly fixed to the first end of the spring and the second end of the spring is fixed to a second mount that comprises a casing plate having an area greater than the opening. The first end of the spring and the first bracket portion are inserted through the opening and the first bracket portion is attached to the second bracket portion. The casing plate is directly fixed to a radially outward facing surface of the second duct.