Fuel Nozzle Retaining Bracket for Gas Turbine Engine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel leaks and unwanted disengagement of fuel transfer tubes from fuel nozzles in gas turbine engines due to missing or improperly installed retaining clips, posing a high hazard during engine operation.
Innovation Solution
A retaining bracket system that is fixedly attached to either the fuel nozzle or transfer tube and is displaceable between two positions, ensuring proper alignment and engagement only when correctly positioned, preventing misassembly and ensuring secure retention of the transfer tube to the nozzle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If retaining clips are used to secure transfer tubes to fuel nozzles, then the reliability of the fuel system is improved, but the complexity of assembly increases and proper installation cannot be ensured due to assembler inattention or inexperience
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining bracket is merged with the transfer tube assembly, forming an integrated unit where the bracket is fixedly attached to the transfer tube. This combination ensures that the retaining mechanism is always present and properly positioned, eliminating the need for separate installation steps that could be overlooked or performed incorrectly by assemblers.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining bracket is pre-installed and fixedly attached to the transfer tube before the assembly reaches the final installation stage. This preliminary action ensures that the retention mechanism is already in place and properly configured, reducing the risk of installation errors during final assembly.
2Ease of operation
If retaining clips are made easily removable for maintenance, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of the connection during operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining bracket is designed with displacement capability between a first position (disengaged) and a second position (engaged). During normal operation, the bracket remains in the engaged position ensuring secure connection. During maintenance, the bracket can be displaced to the disengaged position allowing easy removal and reinstallation of components.
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel supply assembly for a gas turbine engine includes at least one fuel transfer tube, at least one fuel nozzle, and at least one retaining bracket. The transfer tube and the nozzle are assembled in fluid communication with one another. The retaining bracket is fixedly attached to one of the nozzle and the transfer tube and displaceable relative thereto between a first position and a second position. A free end of the bracket is engageable with the other of the fuel nozzle and the transfer tube to retain the transfer tube to the fuel nozzle when the bracket is in the second position. The retaining bracket is disengaged from one of the fuel nozzle and the transfer tube in the first position so that the fuel nozzle and the transfer tube are disengageable from one another.