Keyed Locking Plate for Fastener Anti-Rotation in Turbine Joints
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-rotation devices for threaded fasteners may not be feasible in all geometries of mated components, leading to the need for an improved solution to prevent unwanted rotation of fasteners in applications like gas turbine engines.
Innovation Solution
A locking plate with a base and locking portions that engage with bracket features on a component, along with a key that couples to the fastener, restricts rotation by aligning with a wrenching feature, and a retaining ring ensures axial stability, allowing for various configurations to accommodate different component geometries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing anti-rotation devices are used to prevent fastener rotation, then rotation prevention is achieved, but installation feasibility is reduced due to geometric constraints of mated components
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into separate components: a locking plate with bracket features that engages with the fastener head, and a separate locking element that secures the plate. This segmentation allows the components to be installed independently, accommodating various geometric constraints of mated components while maintaining rotation prevention functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking plate acts as an intermediary element between the fastener and the mated components. It provides a standardized interface with bracket features that can engage with different fastener types and configurations, making the anti-rotation solution adaptable to various geometric constraints without requiring custom solutions for each application.
2Reliability
If traditional anti-rotation devices are installed, then fastener rotation is restricted, but device complexity increases due to geometric adaptations
Solution Approach 1:
The locking plate is designed with universal bracket features that can engage with multiple fastener types and configurations. The standardized interface allows a single locking plate design to serve multiple functions across different applications, reducing the need for geometric adaptations and simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining reliable rotation restriction.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A locking plate (160) for restricting rotation of a fastener (140) connecting a first component (124) of a gas turbine engine (20) and a second component (122) of a gas turbine engine (20) includes a base (162) having a planar surface (164) receivable in overlapping arrangement with a head (150) of the fastener (140). A locking portion (166) extends from the base (162). Engagement between the locking portion (166) and the first component (124) restricts rotation of the locking portion (166). A key (168) extends from the base (162) and is connectable to the fastener (140) such that the fastener (140) is not rotatable relative to the key (168) when the locking portion (166) has engaged the first component (122).