Gas Turbine Accessory Architecture Maintenance Layout

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing arrangement of components in gas turbine engines is not well-ordered, making maintenance access difficult and increasing the risk of component damage during maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A reconfigured housing layout for the gas turbine engine with specific components positioned to facilitate maintenance, including a vertically upper mount member, side-mounted fuel and oil systems, and electronic components strategically placed to reduce complexity and accessibility barriers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If components are arranged in a conventional enclosed housing configuration, then the engine structure is compact and protected, but maintenance access becomes difficult and component damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidcomponent arrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The engine housing is divided into multiple access points with pivoting doors positioned at different locations. Each door provides access to specific component groups (fuel system on one side, oil system on the other), allowing maintenance personnel to work on individual systems without disassembling the entire housing structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Components are arranged in a vertically stratified manner within the housing, with heavier components positioned in the lower quadrant and lighter components in upper regions. This vertical dimension organization facilitates gravitational loading optimization and improves accessibility from different maintenance positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If components are densely packed to reduce engine size, then packaging efficiency improves, but maintenance access and component protection deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine volumeVSAvoidmaintenance ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The housing interior is segmented into distinct zones with dedicated access doors. Fuel system components are grouped and accessible through one door, while oil system components are grouped and accessible through another door, allowing efficient maintenance without requiring complete disassembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure is pre-configured with strategically positioned pivoting doors and mounting locations that anticipate maintenance requirements. This preliminary arrangement of access points and component positions eliminates the need for complex disassembly procedures during routine maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If heavy components are positioned without vertical consideration, then structural balance may be compromised, but maintenance access and damage risk are not optimized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural balanceVSAvoidcomponent damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Heavier components are positioned in the lower quadrant of the engine housing where gravitational forces are most effectively utilized. This vertical stratification creates a more stable center of gravity and reduces stress on mounting structures, while also minimizing damage risk from potential drops or displacements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

Data Source

PatentUS10634061B2Gas turbine engine accessory architecture

Publication Date: 2020.04.28 RTX CORP

AI summary

A gas turbine engine comprises a compressor, a combustor and a turbine. A housing for the gas turbine engine includes a mount member to define a vertically upper location. Sides of the engine are defined on opposed sides of the mount, with a fuel filter, a fuel pump and a fuel flow meter being positioned on a first side and an oil pump, an oil filter and an oil tank positioned on a second of the sides.