Rotor Loading Tools for Tight-Clearance Turbine Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly and disassembly of aircraft turbine engine rotors are time-consuming and costly due to the need to handle rotors with small clearances between rotor and shroud components, requiring the assembly or disassembly of neighboring components.
Innovation Solution
A rotor loading system comprising a first tool with a traction interface and a second tool with a torque interface, where the tools are arranged to be colinear and have projections that fit between each other, allowing for axial and rotational loading of the rotor assembly, facilitating efficient handling and positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional handling methods are used for rotor assembly, then the rotor can be assembled or disassembled, but the process is time-consuming and requires assembly/disassembly of neighboring components due to small clearances
Solution Approach 1:
The loading system employs a nested structure where the inner tool is received within the outer tool, with the inner tool's projections fitting between the outer tool's projections. This nested configuration allows both tools to be simultaneously positioned on the rotor without interfering with neighboring components, enabling direct handling of the rotor assembly without requiring disassembly of surrounding parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a new spatial dimension for applying forces to the rotor by using colinear axes for both tools, allowing axial and rotational loads to be applied simultaneously from the same direction. This dimensional approach enables efficient handling through the rotor's central bore without requiring lateral access that would conflict with neighboring components.
2Ease of operation
If small clearances between rotor and shroud are maintained, then the engine design is compact, but handling and positioning of rotor becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The loading system extracts the handling function from the neighboring components by providing dedicated tools that access the rotor through its central bore. The tools apply loads directly to the rotor via interfaces at its forward end, eliminating the need to manipulate or disassemble surrounding shroud components during rotor installation or removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The loading system acts as an intermediary between the installation equipment and the rotor, with the outer tool providing a torque interface and the inner tool providing a traction interface. These intermediary tools transmit forces through the rotor's central bore to the impeller, enabling precise control of rotor positioning without direct manipulation of the rotor itself or interference with tight clearances.
Data Source
AI summary
A rotor loading system for an aircraft turbine engine has a first tool having first proximal and first distal ends. The first proximal end defines a traction interface about a first axis and a first surface radially outward of the traction interface. The first distal end defines first projections spaced circumferentially and extending to outward of the first surface. The system has a second tool with second proximal and second distal ends. The second proximal end defines a torque interface about a second axis and a second surface radially outward of the torque interface. The second distal end defines second projections spaced circumferentially and extending to outward of the second surface. One of the first and the second tool is received by the other one of the tools such that: the first and the second axis are colinear and each of the first projections is received between two second projections.