Removable Heat Shield for Turbomachine Yoke

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional heat shield devices for aircraft engine suspension systems are difficult to remove and can be damaged by the movement of flanges, requiring engine disassembly for maintenance and compromising fire protection.

Innovation Solution

A heat shield device with radially extending panels and a groove configuration that forms a triple-labyrinth barrier, allowing for easy installation and removal without engine disassembly, while maintaining effective fire protection by eliminating the need for a base panel and accommodating flange movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the heat shield is formed of several assembled panels fixed to the suspension yoke, then fire protection is provided, but the heat shield becomes difficult to remove and may be damaged by flange movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire protectionVSAvoidheat shield removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The heat shield is divided into multiple removable panels that can be independently assembled and disassembled. Each panel can be accessed and removed through the open top of the suspension yoke without engine disassembly, resolving the contradiction between maintaining fire protection through assembled panels and enabling easy removal for maintenance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The open top configuration of the suspension yoke acts as an intermediary access point, allowing panels to be removed from the top rather than requiring complete disassembly of the engine. This mediator structure enables panel removal while preserving the fire protection function when panels are installed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the heat shield panels are fixed to the suspension yoke, then fire barrier effectiveness is maintained, but the panels may be damaged by flange movement during engine operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire barrier effectivenessVSAvoidpanel durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The heat shield panels are designed with dynamic attachment capabilities, allowing them to accommodate movements of the suspension yoke and flanges during engine operation. The panels can be positioned and secured at optimal locations that maintain fire barrier effectiveness while avoiding areas subjected to excessive movement or stress, thereby preserving both fire protection and panel durability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a base panel is used to protect the yoke, then fire protection is enhanced, but the complexity of heat shield installation and removal increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire protectionVSAvoidheat shield assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base panel is extracted from the traditional heat shield assembly and integrated directly into the suspension yoke structure. This extraction eliminates the need for separate base panel installation and removal procedures, reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining the fire protection function through the yoke's inherent structural design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS9359954B2In-line removable heat shield for a turbomachine suspension yoke

Publication Date: 2016.06.07 SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES SAS

AI summary

A heat shield device for a yoke suspending an engine from an aircraft is provided. The device includes panels able to be fixed to the yoke, at least one of the panels extending radially in the direction of the axis of the engine, and a component configured to be fixed to the engine and including a groove shaped in such a way that the lower end of the panel can be inserted into it.