Forked Puller Assembly for Secure Shaft and Gear Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing components from devices, such as gas turbine engines, are not sufficiently improved, and there is a need for more effective apparatuses and methods to efficiently pull components like shafts or gears from these devices.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a tool base with a U-shaped bridge and mounts, a puller with a C-shaped geometry, and a shaft with a polygonal head, allowing for secure attachment and rotation to remove components by threading into a device's aperture and using fasteners, enabling efficient extraction of components like shafts or gears.
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
Solution Approach 1:
The puller assembly is divided into distinct functional segments: a base for mounting to the device, a puller body for engaging the component, and a shaft for applying extraction force. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, improving both efficiency and reliability of the removal process.
Solution Approach 2:
The puller assembly acts as an intermediary tool between the operator and the component being removed. It includes mounting features that attach to the device housing and engagement features that secure to the component, mediating the force transmission and enabling controlled extraction without direct manual handling.
2Reliability
If a robust apparatus is designed for secure attachment, then the attachment reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into a single integrated puller assembly: the mounting interface, the component engagement mechanism, and the force application shaft are combined into one cohesive tool. This reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining secure attachment and effective removal capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The puller assembly is designed with universal mounting features that can attach to various device housings and engagement features that can secure to different component types. This multi-functionality allows a single apparatus design to handle multiple removal scenarios without requiring complex specialized tools for each case.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus (20) is provided for removing a component (22) from a device (24), where the component (22) includes a cylindrical portion (30) and a shoulder (28, 32) adjacent the cylindrical portion (30). The apparatus (20) includes a base (44), a puller (46) and a shaft (48). The base (44) includes a first mount (54), a second mount (56) and a bridge (58) extending between and connected to the first mount (54) and the second mount (56). The first mount (54) and the second mount (56) are each configured to engage with the device (24). The puller (46) includes a forked flange (96) configured to abut against the shoulder (28, 32) of the component (22) when the cylindrical portion (30) of the component (22) is within a channel (108) of the forked flange (96). The shaft (48) includes a threaded portion (134) mated with a threaded aperture (70) in the bridge (58). A distal end portion (136) of the shaft (48) is rotatably connected to the puller (46).