Forked Puller Assembly for Axial Removal of Shouldered Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing components from devices, such as gas turbine engines, are not sufficiently improved to efficiently handle components with cylindrical portions and shoulders, requiring a more effective apparatus and method for extraction.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a base with mounts and a bridge, a forked flange puller, and a shaft with a threaded portion, where the forked flange abuts the component's shoulder, and the shaft is rotated to pull the component away from the device, utilizing a monolithic body construction and U-shaped geometry for secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing methods are used for removing components, then the removal process can be completed, but the efficiency and effectiveness are insufficient for components with cylindrical portions and shoulders
Solution Approach 1:
The puller is divided into distinct functional segments: a base for mounting, a puller body with forked flanges for engaging the component, and a shaft for applying extraction force. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall removal efficiency for cylindrical components with shoulders.
Solution Approach 2:
The forked flanges act as intermediary elements that bridge the puller mechanism and the component's cylindrical portion. The flanges engage with the cylindrical surface and abut against the shoulder, providing a secure mechanical interface that enables effective force transmission during extraction.
2Reliability
If a secure engagement mechanism is used to remove the component, then the removal becomes more effective, but the apparatus complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base and puller body are merged into a single integrated structure with a U-shaped geometry. This combination provides structural stability and secure engagement in one component, reducing the need for additional separate parts while maintaining reliability during component extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex locking mechanisms or multiple fastening elements, the design inverts the approach by using the component's own geometry (cylindrical portion and shoulder) as the engagement feature. The forked flanges simply need to match this geometry, simplifying the apparatus while ensuring secure engagement.
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 solution enables efficient and secure removal of components with cylindrical portions and shoulders from devices like gas turbine engines, enhancing the existing methods by providing a robust and effective mechanism for axial extraction.
Implementation Method 1
The shaft includes a threaded portion mated with a threaded aperture in the bridge. A distal end portion of the shaft is rotatably connected to the puller.
Implementation Method 2
The component is pulled axially, relative to the axis, away from the device by rotating a shaft about the axis.
Implementation Method 3
The puller includes a forked flange configured to abut against the shoulder of the component when the cylindrical portion of the component is within a channel of the forked flange.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is provided for removing a component from a device, where the component includes a cylindrical portion and a shoulder adjacent the cylindrical portion. The apparatus includes a base, a puller and a shaft. The base includes a first mount, a second mount and a bridge extending between and connected to the first mount and the second mount. The first mount and the second mount are each configured to engage with the device. The puller includes a forked flange configured to abut against the shoulder of the component when the cylindrical portion of the component is within a channel of the forked flange. The shaft includes a threaded portion mated with a threaded aperture in the bridge. A distal end portion of the shaft is rotatably connected to the puller.