Gas Turbine Plug Assembly Retaining Element

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sealing methods for inspection ports in gas turbine engines are costly and can lead to foreign object damage due to improper installation, and there is a need for reliable port components that ensure safe and efficient operation.

Innovation Solution

A plug assembly with a retaining element, including a shaft, collar, and a plug with a shank and retaining features, where the retaining element's prongs engage with the collar to securely hold the plug in place, preventing rotation and dislodgment, and featuring threaded surfaces for secure engagement with the port.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional sealing methods are used for inspection ports, then sealing function is provided, but cost increases and foreign object damage risk occurs due to improper installation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation reliabilityVSAvoidforeign object damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining element is pre-installed on the boss before the plug is installed. The prongs of the retaining element engage with the collar features beforehand, creating a pre-positioned retention mechanism that guides the plug into proper orientation and prevents improper installation that could cause foreign object damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining element acts as an intermediary component between the boss and the plug. Its prongs engage with both the collar (via opening features) and the plug (via retaining features), providing a mediating retention mechanism that ensures proper installation and prevents foreign object damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If retaining elements with multiple prongs are used to prevent rotation and dislodgment, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplug retention reliabilityVSAvoidretaining element structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining element is segmented into multiple independent prongs that can be distributed around the collar. This segmentation allows the retention function to be distributed across multiple simple engagement points rather than requiring a single complex retention mechanism, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it prevents plug rotation, prevents plug dislodgment, and guides proper plug installation. By consolidating these multiple retention functions into a single multi-pronged component, the design improves reliability while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate retention devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9708933B2Plug assembly with retaining element

Publication Date: 2017.07.18 RTX CORP

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to plug assemblies within a gas turbine engine. In one embodiment, a plug assembly includes a boss which includes a shaft and a collar, a retaining element including at least two prongs, and a plug including a shank and at least one retaining feature. The at least two prongs of the retaining element are configured to retain the plug to the boss.