Spherical Washer Liner Hanger for Gas Turbine Thermal Growth

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gas turbine engine hanger assemblies face challenges in accommodating misalignment, thermal growth, and pressure loads in a harsh environment while being difficult to assemble and costly, especially due to their complex design and confined access.

Innovation Solution

A hanger assembly design featuring a body segment with washers and an attachment member, including spherical ends and fastening mechanisms, that allows for relative movement and secure attachment between the liner and duct, simplifying assembly and reducing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional hanger assemblies are used to accommodate misalignment and thermal growth in harsh environments, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to accommodate misalignment and thermal growthVSAvoidcomplexity of hanger assembly design

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hanger assembly is divided into separate functional segments: a body portion attached to the liner, first and second washers that define a gap for movement, and an attachment member with spherical ends. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while simplifying the overall design and reducing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hanger assembly incorporates dynamic capabilities through the gap between the washers that receives the body segment, allowing relative movement between the liner and duct. The spherical ends of the attachment member enable rotational movement to accommodate misalignment, providing dynamic adaptation to thermal growth and operational conditions without complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If traditional hanger assemblies are designed to handle pressure loads and high temperatures, then reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle pressure loads and high temperaturesVSAvoidease of assembly and manufacturing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The spherical ends of the attachment member are pre-formed to mate with corresponding spherical seats in the washers and body portion. This preliminary shaping allows for simple assembly by direct insertion and rotation, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures or specialized assembly tools, thereby improving ease of manufacture while maintaining the ability to handle pressure loads and thermal conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If hanger assemblies are positioned within confined physical envelopes, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to accommodate relative movement in several planesVSAvoiddifficulty of access during assembly and maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spherical ends of the attachment member enable rotational movement to accommodate misalignment in multiple directions within the confined space. The spherical geometry provides omnidirectional adaptability, allowing the hanger to self-align and accommodate relative movement in several planes simultaneously without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms or difficult access during assembly and maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 design effectively accommodates thermal growth and misalignment, simplifies assembly, and reduces costs by providing a robust and adaptable hanger assembly that maintains the desired radial distance and supports the liner relative to the duct in a gas turbine engine.

Implementation Method 1

the rod includes a first spherical end and the plug includes a second spherical end and the first and second seats include a shape corresponding to the first and second spherical ends

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpherical joint mechanism: Ball

Implementation Method 2

The hanger assemblies accommodate misalignment, complex shapes, large thermal growth and differentials

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 3

the rod is securable within the plug and the plug is attachable to the support... including a first fastening member securing the rod within the plug and a second fastening member engaged to an outer surface of the plug for attaching the plug to the support

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS9316174B2Liner hanger with spherical washers

Publication Date: 2016.04.19 RTX CORP

AI summary

A liner assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a liner defining an inner surface exposed to exhaust gases and a duct spaced radially outward of the liner. A hanger assembly supports the liner relative to the duct. The hanger assembly includes a body segment attached to the liner and first and second washers defining a gap therebetween that receives a portion of the body segment. The gap between the washers and the body segment provides for relative movement caused by differences in thermal growth within the liner. An attachment member extending between the body section and the duct includes spherical ends that are seated on the first and second washers to accommodate misalignments during assembly.