Frangible Bearing Housing for Gas Turbine Load Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gas turbine engines transfer loads from rotating components to static structures through bearings, which can impact the performance of the static structure.

Innovation Solution

A bearing assembly with a frangible housing design that includes frangible portions configured to release upon exceeding load thresholds, isolating moment and radial loads from the static structure by fracturing along defined grooves or slots.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the bearing housing is made rigid to support loads, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the static structure is damaged by excessive load transfer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidload transfer to static structure

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing housing is divided into multiple frangible portions (first frangible portion with first groove, second frangible portion with second groove) that can independently fracture to isolate different types of loads. This segmentation allows the housing to provide load-bearing capacity through its intact portions while preventing excessive load transfer through controlled fracture of specific portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing transitions from a continuous rigid structure to a segmented structure with controlled weak points. By creating grooves that reduce local thickness, the housing's load-bearing parameters are modified locally, allowing it to withstand normal loads while fracturing under excessive loads to protect the static structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the bearing housing is made with frangible portions to isolate loads, then the protection of static structure is improved, but the structural integrity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of static structureVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The frangible portions with grooves are pre-designed into the housing structure before operation. These predetermined weak points are strategically positioned to fracture under specific load conditions, allowing the housing to maintain integrity during normal operation while automatically isolating loads when thresholds are exceeded.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The frangible portions act as intermediary elements between the bearing assembly and the static structure. They serve as a controlled failure mechanism that mediates the load transfer, allowing the housing to provide protection while maintaining overall structural functionality through the bearing elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12416329B2Bearing assembly with load isolation for gas turbine engine

Publication Date: 2025.09.16 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A bearing assembly includes an inner race to receive a rotating component having an axis of rotation, and at least one bearing element coupled to the inner race. The at least one bearing element is to rotate with the inner race along the axis of rotation. The bearing assembly includes an outer race coupled to the at least one bearing element, and a bearing housing coupled to the outer race and to be coupled to a static structure. The bearing housing includes a first frangible portion to release upon receipt of a moment load greater than a moment threshold and a second frangible portion to release upon receipt of a radial load greater than a radial threshold.