Aircraft Engine Front Seal Plate On-Wing Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing method for changing a front seal plate and/or a bearing unit in an aircraft engine is complex and costly, requiring the engine to be detached from the aircraft and transported to a workshop for maintenance, which is time-consuming and expensive, and does not allow for 'on-wing' exchanges.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves separating a part engine unit comprising the core engine and low-pressure turbine, removing and fitting the front seal plate and bearing unit with reduced component removal, using a force application element supported on the thread of the N2 shaft to push the bearing unit onto the shaft, allowing for 'on-wing' maintenance without detaching the engine from the aircraft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the engine is detached from the aircraft and transported to a workshop for maintenance, then the front seal plate and bearing unit can be exchanged, but the process becomes time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The engine is divided into separable modules: the fan module (containing the front seal plate and bearing unit) can be detached from the core engine while remaining on the aircraft. This allows maintenance to be performed on the isolated fan module without requiring complete engine disassembly or aircraft ground transport, thereby reducing maintenance time while maintaining repair quality
Solution Approach 2:
The fan module is designed with pre-configured access points and separation interfaces that allow the front seal plate and bearing unit to be exchanged before the engine would normally require full disassembly. This preliminary preparation of the modular structure enables rapid on-wing maintenance operations
2Ease of repair
If the engine is detached from the aircraft for maintenance, then the front seal plate can be exchanged, but the process becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The engine assembly is segmented into the fan module and core engine, with the front seal plate and bearing unit contained within the fan module. This segmentation allows the fan module to be independently accessed and maintained without dismantling the entire engine or aircraft systems, significantly reducing procedural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The front seal plate and bearing unit are extracted as maintainable components within the fan module. The fan module itself can be extracted from the core engine for maintenance, or components can be accessed directly through the modular structure, eliminating the need for complex full-engine disassembly procedures
3Ease of repair
If the engine is detached from the aircraft for maintenance, then the front seal plate can be exchanged, but material outlay increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the engine into maintainable modules with standardized interfaces, the fan module can be refurbished and reused multiple times. This reduces the need for complete engine replacements or extensive new material procurement, thereby reducing material outlay while maintaining repair capability
Solution Approach 2:
The modular fan module design enables recovery and reuse of major components. Instead of discarding entire engine assemblies after maintenance, the front seal plate and bearing unit can be replaced while the fan module structure is retained and reused, reducing material consumption
Data Source
AI summary
Method for removing a front seal plate from an aircraft engine, the method comprising at least the following steps:a) separating a part engine unit from the aircraft engine, the part engine unit comprising the core engine and the low-pressure turbine of the aircraft engine,b) removing a front seal plate nut from the part engine unit,c) removing the front seal plate from the part engine unit.