Split Retaining Ring with Anti-Rotation Lugs for Gas Turbine Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retaining rings in gas turbine engine assemblies lack flexibility and durability, leading to potential deformation and premature wear during assembly and operation, which compromises the integrity of the assembly.
Innovation Solution
A split retaining ring with circumferentially spaced grooves and an outer sleeve is designed to provide axial retention and prevent rotation, featuring a radially inward spring-loading mechanism to centralize the ring and resist centrifugal forces, ensuring secure engagement with anti-rotation lugs and maintaining contact despite radial expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a traditional retaining ring is used, then the assembly structure is simple, but the ring lacks flexibility and may plastically deform during assembly and handling
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining ring is divided into two separate halves (first and second retaining rings) that can be assembled around the shaft. This segmentation allows each half to be more flexible during assembly and handling, preventing plastic deformation while maintaining structural integrity when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining rings are designed with elastic properties to allow dynamic deformation during assembly and operation. The rings can elastically deform to accommodate the shaft diameter variations and then return to their original shape, providing flexibility without permanent deformation.
2Reliability
If the retaining ring is made more flexible to prevent deformation, then handling safety improves, but the ring may rotate in the groove causing premature wear
Solution Approach 1:
Anti-rotation lugs are provided on the shaft that engage with corresponding features on the retaining rings. This asymmetric engagement prevents the rings from rotating in the groove, eliminating premature wear while maintaining the flexibility needed for safe handling and assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-rotation lugs act as intermediaries between the shaft and the retaining rings, preventing relative rotation. This intermediary feature eliminates the harmful rotation that would cause wear while allowing the rings to remain flexible for proper assembly.
3Ease of manufacture
If the retaining ring is collapsed for assembly, then the ring can be installed, but the ring may expand under centrifugal forces during operation causing disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining ring is split into two halves that can be collapsed and assembled around the shaft. During operation, the assembled structure maintains stability against centrifugal forces while still allowing for easy assembly and disassembly during maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining rings are designed with specific elastic properties that allow them to collapse to a smaller diameter for assembly, then expand to their operating diameter during operation. This parameter change enables easy assembly while maintaining position stability under centrifugal loads.
4Reliability
If the retaining ring is designed with anti-rotation lugs, then rotation is restrained, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-rotation lugs are simple asymmetric features that engage with corresponding features on the retaining rings. This asymmetric design provides reliable anti-rotation capability while adding minimal structural complexity compared to more complex locking mechanisms.
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 solution enhances the flexibility and durability of the retaining ring, preventing deformation and wear, ensuring reliable axial retention and maintaining anti-rotation functionality under centrifugal forces during gas turbine engine operation.
Implementation Method 1
the retaining ring having a split ring body which is spring-loaded radially inwardly at said inner diameter against a circumferential seat provided on a radially outer surface of one of said first and second components
Implementation Method 2
an outer sleeve surrounding the split ring body to limit radial expansion of the split ring body and thereby prevent disengagement of the anti-rotation lug from the split ring body as a result of centrifugal forces transferred to the retaining ring during gas turbine engine operation
Implementation Method 3
an outer sleeve surrounding the split ring body to limit radial expansion of the split ring body and thereby prevent disengagement of the anti-rotation lug from the split ring body
Data Source
AI summary
A retaining ring arrangement is provided for axially holding a component on a rotating component of a gas turbine engine. The retaining ring arrangement comprises a split retaining ring mounted in a circumferential groove defined in a radially outer surface of the rotating component. The inner diameter of the retaining ring is biased inwardly in radial contact with a radially outer facing seat provided on one of the two components to be assembled. An anti-rotation feature is provided at the inner diameter of the retaining ring for restraining the ring against rotation. A sleeve surrounds the retaining ring to limit radial expansion thereof when subject to centrifugal forces during engine operation.