Spherical Button Washer Exhaust Duct Liner Hanger

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing exhaust duct liner attachment systems in gas turbine engines face challenges in maintaining proper spacing and alignment between exhaust ducts and liners due to differing pressure and temperature gradients, leading to misalignment and stress, and require complex installation processes.

Innovation Solution

A hanger system comprising a bracket, washer, and rod with a spherical button washer that forms a slip joint and ball joint, allowing for radial, circumferential, and axial displacement of the liner while maintaining alignment and facilitating easy assembly without the need for precise alignment or tool insertion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If support members are inserted through holes in exhaust duct or liner to maintain alignment, then alignment is maintained, but installation complexity increases and requires careful insertion procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of inserting support members through holes in the exhaust duct or liner, the invention inverts the approach by providing support members that extend outward from the liner exterior surface. The brackets are attached to the liner outer surface, with support members projecting outward to engage with the exhaust duct, eliminating the need for hole insertion and complex alignment procedures during installation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces brackets as intermediary components that attach to the liner exterior surface and provide support members extending outward. These brackets act as mediators between the liner and exhaust duct, maintaining alignment and spacing without requiring direct insertion into the duct or liner, thereby simplifying installation while preserving alignment precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If rigid connection is used between exhaust duct and liner, then spacing is maintained, but thermal expansion and pressure-induced deflections cause misalignment and stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespacing maintenanceVSAvoidthermal expansion accommodation

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs dynamic support members that can pivot and rotate at their connection points with the liner. This dynamic capability allows the support members to adapt to thermal expansion and pressure-induced deflections of the liner, maintaining proper spacing while accommodating movements that would cause misalignment in rigid connections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support members are designed with changing geometric parameters, including pivot points and rotation capabilities, that allow them to adjust their configuration in response to thermal and pressure conditions. This enables the system to maintain spacing while adapting to varying operational parameters such as temperature and pressure gradients

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If complex alignment procedures are used during installation, then proper spacing is achieved, but installation time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespacing accuracyVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The brackets are pre-attached to the liner exterior surface during liner manufacturing, with support members positioned to engage with the exhaust duct. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex alignment procedures during final installation, as the support members are already in their correct positions and configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The support members are designed to self-align and self-adjust during installation through their pivot and rotation capabilities. As the liner is positioned within the exhaust duct, the support members automatically orient themselves to achieve proper spacing and alignment without requiring external alignment tools or procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system effectively maintains alignment and accommodates thermal expansion, reducing stress and strain on the liner, allowing for easy installation and reducing the complexity and weight of the hanger system, while ensuring optimal performance and durability.

Implementation Method 1

The washer is connected to the bracket at a slip joint. The rod is connected to the washer at a ball joint

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpherical joint mechanism: Ball

Implementation Method 2

The exhaust duct and liner are subjected to different pressure and temperature gradients, which results in differing deflections and expansions of each body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS9382875B2Spherical button washer for exhaust duct liner hanger

Publication Date: 2016.07.05 RTX CORP

AI summary

A hanger for suspending a liner within an exhaust duct of a gas turbine engine comprises a bracket, a washer, a rod and a cap. The bracket is for connection to an exhaust duct liner of a gas turbine exhaust system. The washer is connected to the bracket at a slip joint. The rod is connected to the washer at a ball joint. The cap for is for connecting to an exhaust duct of the gas turbine exhaust system. The cap is connected to the rod.