Splined Hose Fitting Tooling for Faster Turbine Hose Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation and removal of flexible hoses to turbine components in gas turbine engines are challenging, time-consuming, and often result in material scrap and potential physical injury due to the need for manual torque application at awkward angles.
Innovation Solution
A hose connection system comprising a connection fitting with complementary splines and a powered connection tool that uses a drill to apply torque, allowing for quick and safe installation or removal of the flexible hose without the need for conventional flange bolting or swing clamp techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional flange bolting or swing clamp techniques are used for hose installation, then the connection can be made, but the installation process becomes time-consuming and requires significant crew size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (flange bolting, swing clamp installation) with a powered connection tool that uses a drill to apply torque through complementary splines. This substitution of manual mechanical systems with a powered tool directly addresses the contradiction by enabling faster installation while reducing crew requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection fitting with complementary splines on both the hose end and turbine component enables self-aligning and self-torquing capabilities. The splined connection allows the tool to automatically engage and apply torque without requiring precise manual alignment, making the installation process more efficient and reducing the time required.
2Reliability
If manual torque application is used at awkward angles and positions, then the connection can be secured, but physical injury may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The powered connection tool with drill-driven torque application replaces manual torque application, eliminating the need for workers to physically manipulate connections at awkward angles. This substitution maintains connection security through controlled torque while removing the physical injury risk associated with manual operations in difficult positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection tool acts as an intermediary between the operator and the hose connection, providing controlled torque application through a mechanism that eliminates direct manual handling of heavy or awkwardly positioned components. The tool mediates the torque application process, ensuring secure connections without exposing workers to injury risks.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional hose installation methods are used, then the connection can be made, but material scrap and gasket damage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The powered connection tool with controlled torque application replaces uncontrolled manual tightening methods. This substitution prevents over-torquing that can damage gaskets and hose connections, thereby reducing material scrap while maintaining installation simplicity through the automated torque control mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection tool provides feedback-controlled torque application, ensuring that the correct amount of torque is applied to secure the hose connection without exceeding limits that could damage gaskets or components. This feedback mechanism prevents material damage while maintaining ease of installation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application thus provides 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.