Segmented Turbine Casing With Removable Gearbox Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
The architecture of some gas turbine engines does not facilitate easy access to inner core components for inspection or maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A gas turbine engine design featuring a casing with interconnected segments, including a gearbox segment with a flange and a bearing housing with an annular body and extension segment, allowing for the removable mounting of the gearbox segment to the bearing housing via mating flanges, thereby enabling access to the engine's interior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the gas turbine engine uses a traditional integrated casing design, then the structural integrity and strength are maintained, but the accessibility to inner core components for maintenance and inspection is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The casing is divided into multiple separable segments including a first casing segment, a second casing segment, and a gearbox casing segment. These segments can be independently removed to provide access to inner core components while maintaining structural integrity when assembled. The segmentation allows maintenance personnel to remove only the necessary segment rather than disassembling the entire casing.
Solution Approach 2:
The gearbox casing segment containing the gearbox is extracted as a separate removable component from the main casing structure. This extracted segment can be completely removed to provide unobstructed access to the turbine and other inner core components, while the remaining casing structure maintains its structural integrity for operation.
2Productivity
If the gas turbine engine uses a removable gearbox segment design, then the maintenance time and repair efficiency are improved, but the structural complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The casing is segmented into modular sections with standardized interfaces. The gearbox casing segment is designed as a separate module that can be manufactured independently and then assembled to the main casing using standardized coupling mechanisms, facilitating both manufacturing and maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanisms between casing segments are designed with universal features that can accommodate different segment configurations. The same coupling interface and fastening systems are used throughout the casing assembly, simplifying manufacturing processes and reducing the number of unique parts required.
3Ease of operation
If the gearbox is permanently integrated into the casing, then the structural strength and rigidity are maintained, but the accessibility for inspection and component replacement is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The casing is divided into segments with carefully designed coupling interfaces that maintain structural strength when assembled. The coupling mechanisms include reinforced flanges and multiple fastening points that restore the structural integrity comparable to a welded or permanently integrated design, while allowing for disassembly when maintenance is required.
Data Source
AI summary
A gas turbine engine includes a casing including a plurality of interconnected casing segments defining an outer surface of the casing. One of the casing segments is a gearbox segment enclosing a gearbox and having a gearbox flange extending radially outwardly from the outer surface of the casing. The engine includes a bearing housing enclosing at least one bearing and having an annular body with an inner segment disposed within the casing. The annular body having an extension segment extending radially outwardly from the inner segment to a bearing housing flange disposed radially-outwardly of the outer surface of the casing. The bearing housing flange is engageable with the gearbox flange to removably mount the gearbox segment to the bearing housing.