Gas Turbine Engine Support System for Independent Section Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine engine support systems make it difficult and time-consuming to replace or repair the engine due to the need for sequential installation and removal of sections, which is labor-intensive and inefficient, especially when trying to move interior sections while adjacent sections remain installed.
Innovation Solution
A support system that allows for the movement of gas turbine engine sections independently, using annular connection structures and moveable supports to facilitate the relocation of compressor and intake ducting relative to each other, enabling forward movement opposite the direction of compressed air flow, and the use of guide tracks and rollers for sliding and lifting mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the gas turbine engine is attached through fixed mounts to a common stationary support structure, then the engine is securely supported during operation, but replacing or repairing the engine becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the static fixed mount support structure into a dynamic system where the gas turbine engine can be moved along guide tracks. The engine transitions from a fixed position during operation to a movable position during maintenance, allowing it to slide horizontally on rollers while being supported by moveable supports that travel along the guide tracks.
Solution Approach 2:
The support system is divided into separate functional components: stationary support structures, moveable supports, and guide tracks. This segmentation allows the engine to remain securely supported during operation while enabling easy movement during maintenance by decoupling the support function from the positioning function.
2Reliability
If numerous fixed mounts are used to attach the gas turbine engine to the support structure, then the engine is securely held in position, but considerable time and effort are required to unfasten these mounts for replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fastening function from the support structure itself and places it on the moveable supports. This allows the engine to be securely held during operation without requiring permanent fixed mounts, as the moveable supports can be quickly positioned and secured only when needed.
3Ease of repair
If the gas turbine engine is removed from the support structure for repair, then sections can be separated and replaced, but lifting equipment and considerable care are required to avoid collision with other objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the engine to transition from a stationary position to a movable position along guide tracks using rollers and moveable supports. This dynamic system eliminates the need for complex lifting equipment by providing a controlled horizontal movement path that guides the engine away from and back to the support structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide tracks serve as an intermediary mechanism between the stationary support structure and the movable engine. They provide a defined path that mediates the movement, ensuring the engine moves safely without collision while eliminating the need for external lifting equipment.
4Ease of repair
If sections of the gas turbine engine are separated for repair while the engine is off its support structure, then damaged sections can be replaced, but supporting and maneuvering the heavy unwieldy sections becomes quite difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides continuous support during the separation process by using moveable supports that travel along guide tracks. These supports dynamically adjust to hold the engine sections in place during separation and reassembly, eliminating the need to manually support heavy sections in the air.
5Productivity
If interior sections of the gas turbine engine are removed without completely separating adjacent sections, then repair work can be performed with adjacent sections remaining installed, but this is difficult with traditional support systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables independent movement of the compressor relative to the intake ducting through the annular connection structures and guide track system. This allows the compressor to be extracted and serviced while the intake ducting remains installed and supported, providing dynamic access to interior sections without requiring complete disassembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A gas turbine engine includes a compressor having first annular connection structure at a forward end portion of an air inlet housing of the compressor. The gas turbine engine may also include intake ducting having second annular connection structure adjacent a central passage of the intake ducting. The first annular connection structure and the second annular connection structure may form at least part of an interface between the air inlet housing and the intake ducting during operation of the gas turbine engine. The first and second annular connection structures may have shapes allowing the first annular connection structure to be moved through and beyond the second annular connection structure in a forward direction, the forward direction being opposite a direction of compressed air flow in the compressor during operation.