Gas Turbine Inspection Port Plug Assembly for Secure Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for sealing inspection ports in gas turbine engines are expensive and can lead to foreign object damage (FOD) due to improper installation, and there is a need for efficient and safe operation of these ports.
Innovation Solution
A plug assembly for gas turbine engines that includes a slider seal housing, slider seal, and a cover system secured by a connector body and fastening mechanism, which ensures proper sealing and secure installation of inspection ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sealing methods are used for inspection ports, then sealing function is achieved, but cost increases and foreign object damage occurs due to improper installation
Solution Approach 1:
The plug assembly is divided into multiple components including a plug body, a cover, and a fastening mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and assembled separately, improving installation ease while maintaining sealing reliability through precise fitting of individual parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is pre-configured with a through-passage that aligns with the inspection port, and the fastening mechanism is pre-designed to secure the cover in place. This preliminary preparation ensures proper installation orientation and reduces the risk of foreign object damage during assembly.
2Reliability
If conventional sealing methods are used for inspection ports, then sealing function is achieved, but maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The modular design with separate plug body, cover, and fastening mechanism allows for easier maintenance and replacement. If one component fails, only that specific component needs to be replaced rather than the entire assembly, reducing maintenance costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover can be removed and inspected separately from the plug body, allowing for maintenance of individual components. The fastening mechanism can be detached to access internal components, enabling selective replacement and recovery of functional parts.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple ports are present in the engine, then inspection and maintenance capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plug assembly design with standardized cover and fastening mechanism can be applied to multiple inspection ports throughout the engine. This universal design reduces the variety of port components needed, simplifying inventory and assembly procedures while maintaining inspection capability across all ports.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for assembling a plug assembly (100) for plugging one or more ports of a gas turbine engine including that a connector body (160) and a cover (150) operably connected to the connector body (160) are inserted into a sheath through-passage (141) of a sheath (140). The connector body (160) including a rotatable joint (169) operably connecting the cover (150) to the connector body (160). The method also includes that a biasing mechanism (192) configured to apply a force to the cover (150) is installed, the cover (150) is rotated relative to the connector body (160) via the rotatable joint (169), a top housing (180) is slid over the biasing mechanism (192) such that the biasing mechanism (192) abuts a bottom end (182) of the top housing (180) or is located in a cavity (186) defined within the top housing (180), and the top housing (180) is secured together with the sheath (140).