Mid Turbine Frame Removal Tool Stabilizer Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
The removal or installation of a mid turbine frame in gas turbine engines is a time-consuming and expensive process requiring significant disassembly, making it inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft engine repair tool that includes a stabilizer supporting the shaft via a different load path, a holder attachable to the mid turbine frame, and a guide that facilitates movement along the rotation axis while preventing transverse movement, allowing for the safe and efficient installation or removal of the mid turbine frame without extensive disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the mid turbine frame is removed or installed using conventional methods, then the engine can be maintained or assembled, but the process requires significant disassembly of the engine and is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
A specialized tool system acts as an intermediary between the mid turbine frame and the engine structure. The tool includes a holder that attaches to the mid turbine frame, a guide that interfaces with the engine casing, and a stabilizer that works with the shaft. This intermediary tool enables the mid turbine frame to be installed or removed without requiring significant disassembly of the engine itself, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool system is divided into distinct functional segments: a holder portion that attaches to the mid turbine frame, a guide portion that interfaces with the engine casing, and a stabilizer portion that works with the shaft. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, enabling the overall operation to be simplified without requiring complete engine disassembly.
2Productivity
If the mid turbine frame is removed or installed using conventional methods, then the engine can be maintained or assembled, but the process is time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The guide portion of the tool is预先 configured with guide surfaces that align with corresponding features on the engine casing. The stabilizer is预先 positioned to engage with the shaft. These preliminary preparations allow the mid turbine frame to be quickly installed or removed in a single motion without requiring time-consuming sequential disassembly and reassembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The specialized tool system serves as a mediator that enables quick installation and removal of the mid turbine frame. By providing a direct interface between the mid turbine frame and the engine structure, the tool eliminates the need for multiple intermediate steps and reduces the overall time required for maintenance operations.
3Ease of operation
If the mid turbine frame is supported only by its original load path, then the structure remains simple, but the frame cannot be safely removed or installed without disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The tool system introduces a temporary intermediary support structure that bridges the gap between the original load path and the removal/installation operation. The holder attaches to the mid turbine frame, the guide interfaces with the engine casing, and the stabilizer engages with the shaft, creating a temporary load path that maintains structural stability during the operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool system dynamically transitions the support structure from the original static load path to a temporary dynamic load path during removal or installation. The movable components of the tool allow for controlled movement while maintaining stability, and once the operation is complete, the system returns to its original static configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft engine repair tool for installing and/or removing a mid turbine frame from a gas turbine engine is provided. The tool includes a stabilizer configured to support a shaft via a load path different from a load path provided by the mid turbine frame rotatably supporting the shaft about a rotation axis. The tool includes a holder attachable to the mid turbine frame, and a guide movably engageable with the shaft and attachable to the holder. The guide guides movement of the holder and of the mid turbine frame relative to the shaft along the rotation axis, and prevents movement of the holder and the mid turbine frame relative to the shaft transverse to the rotation axis when the mid turbine frame is released from the support structure and attached to the holder, and when the holder is attached to the guide.