Fluid Transfer Shield Assembly for Engine Core Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid transfer assemblies in gas turbine engines require disassembly of the engine to inspect or replace components, which is time-consuming and costly.
Innovation Solution
A fluid transfer assembly with a shield and fluid transfer tube that uses a slip joint interface for sealing and a cone seal interface, allowing for installation and removal without disassembling the engine core, with a retainer to secure the shield and tube to the outer structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional oil transfer tube is used that routes oil through internal engine components, then the fluid transfer function is achieved, but the engine must be dismantled for removal and inspection
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid transfer assembly is divided into separate modular components: a shield assembly that can be independently removed from the engine, and internal fluid transfer components that remain protected within the engine. This segmentation allows the shield to be detached for maintenance without dismantling the engine itself, resolving the contradiction between ease of maintenance and assembly complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The shield is extracted as a separate removable component from the engine structure. By taking out the shield as an independent element that can be attached and detached, the design enables maintenance personnel to access and service fluid transfer components without requiring engine disassembly, thus improving ease of operation while managing device complexity
2Reliability
If the shield and sleeve are tightly sealed to prevent fluid leakage, then sealing reliability is improved, but the complexity of the sealing interface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slip joint interface between the sleeve and port is designed to self-seal through the natural interference fit between the cylindrical surfaces. The slight interference creates friction that maintains sealing without requiring additional sealing components or complex mechanisms, achieving high sealing reliability while keeping the interface simple
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing mechanism utilizes the interference fit parameter between the sleeve and port cylindrical surfaces. By carefully controlling the dimensional parameters to create a slight interference, the design achieves reliable sealing through friction and contact pressure without needing complex sealing systems, thus improving reliability while managing interface complexity
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
Enables inspection, repair, and replacement of fluid transfer components without disassembling the engine core, reducing maintenance time and cost while maintaining a sealed fluid transfer.
Implementation Method 1
a cylindrical sleeve surface of the sleeve contacts a cylindrical port surface of the port at the slip joint interface
Implementation Method 2
The sleeve is mated with the port at the distal end through a slip joint interface where a cylindrical sleeve surface of the sleeve contacts a cylindrical port surface of the port
Implementation Method 3
The inner coupling is disposed at the inner tube end and mated with the inner structure through a cone seal interface
Data Source
AI summary
An inner structure is within an outer structure. A shield mount of a shield is attached to the outer structure. A sleeve of the shield extends from the shield mount through an aperture in the outer structure to a distal end of the shield. The sleeve is mated with the port at the distal end through a slip joint interface where a cylindrical sleeve surface of the sleeve contacts a cylindrical port surface of a port of the inner structure. The fluid transfer tube extends from an inner tube end through a bore of the shield and at least into the port to an outer tube end. An inner coupling is disposed at the inner tube end and mated with the inner structure through a cone seal interface. An outer coupling is disposed at the outer tube end and attached to the outer structure.