Splined Hose Fitting Assembly for Faster Gas Turbine Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly and repair of combustor cans in gas turbine engines are challenging due to the difficulty in installing and removing fuel and air hoses via conventional flange joints, which require significant crew time, lead to material scrap, and pose a risk of physical injury from manual torque application at awkward angles.
Innovation Solution
A hose connection system featuring a connection fitting with splined members and a corresponding tool that uses a drive wheel with splines to torque the connection fitting onto the engine, eliminating the need for flange bolting and swing clamp installations, allowing for safe and efficient hose attachment and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional flange bolting and swing clamp installation techniques are used, then hoses can be connected to the combustor can, but the installation process becomes time-consuming and requires significant crew size
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into distinct segments: a first member that attaches to the combustor can, a second member that attaches to the hose, and a mating component that joins them. This segmentation allows for pre-assembly of components and simplifies the final connection process, enabling faster installation compared to conventional flange bolting methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The first member is pre-welded to the combustor can and the second member is pre-attached to the hose before the actual connection process. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for on-site welding and complex alignment procedures during installation, significantly reducing installation time and crew requirements.
2Ease of operation
If manual torque application is used at awkward angles and positions, then connections can be made, but physical injury risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
A specialized tool acts as an intermediary between the operator and the connection fitting. This tool includes a drive wheel with drive wheel splines that engage with the splined second member, allowing torque to be applied through a mechanical advantage system rather than direct manual effort at awkward angles, thereby reducing physical injury risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces direct manual torque application with a mechanical tool system consisting of a drive wheel, splines, and torque application mechanism. This substitution eliminates the need for workers to manually torque connections at awkward positions, reducing physical strain and injury risk while maintaining connection integrity.
3Productivity
If flange gaskets are not installed properly, then assembly can proceed, but gasket damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system incorporates self-aligning features through the splined interface between the drive wheel and the second member. This self-alignment mechanism ensures that components are properly positioned during assembly, preventing misalignment that could damage gaskets while maintaining efficient assembly speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The splined connection mechanism provides mechanical feedback that indicates proper alignment and engagement. As the drive wheel torques the splined second member onto the first member, the spline engagement ensures correct positioning, preventing over-torquing or misalignment that could damage gaskets while confirming proper assembly.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional installation methods are used, then hoses can be connected, but material scrap increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is designed with reusable components that can be recovered and reused. The first member, second member, and mating component form a durable assembly that can be disassembled and reinstalled multiple times without becoming scrap material, unlike conventional flange and gasket systems where improper installation often leads to material waste.
Data Source
AI summary
A hose connection system for connecting a hose to a gas turbine engine. The hose connection system may include a connection fitting and a connection tool. The connection fitting may include a first member to be attached to the gas turbine engine, a mating component to be attached to the hose, and a splined second member to be torqued onto the first member. The connection tool may include a drive wheel with a number of drive wheel splines such that the drive wheel splines torque the splined second member onto the first member.