Aircraft Turbine Engine Pre-Assembly for Gearbox and Bearing Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of aircraft turbomachinery is hindered by design constraints from access points used only for assembly and disassembly, oversized flanges, and the need for special precautions in confined spaces, leading to lower tightening and shrink-fitting levels.
Innovation Solution
A pre-assembly process where components such as a reducer, shaft, bearing support, and bearings are assembled outside the turbomachine to form a single module, which is then inserted and secured as a unit, reducing damage risks and design constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If components are assembled inside the turbomachine through access points, then the turbomachine structure can be maintained, but assembly complexity increases and design constraints are created
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-assembling the rotor, bearing support, and bearing components outside the turbomachine housing before installing the complete assembly unit through the access point. This preliminary pre-assembly reduces the complexity of in-situ assembly operations and eliminates design constraints related to confined space assembly, while maintaining the turbomachine's structural integrity.
2Strength
If flanges are used for component assembly, then components can be secured, but the flanges must be oversized leading to increased weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the flange structure with the bearing support housing, creating an integrated component rather than separate oversized flanges. The bearing support housing itself serves as the mounting structure with integrated attachment features, eliminating the need for additional heavy flanges while maintaining secure component fastening.
3Reliability
If assembly is performed in confined spaces, then the turbomachine structure is preserved, but the risk of component damage increases and assembly quality decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary assembly of the rotor, bearing support, and bearings outside the confined turbomachine housing where adequate space and access are available. This preliminary assembly in an open environment allows for proper alignment, secure fastening, and quality verification before the complete assembly is installed into the final confined space, thereby ensuring both component protection and high assembly quality.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3(A)~3(C)
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Pre-assembly method for an aircraft turbomachine, comprising a pre-assembly, outside the turbomachine, of the following components with each other: - a gearbox (20) configured to transmit rotation between at least two rotors of the turbomachine while changing the speed and torque ratio of one to the other of said at least two rotors, - a shaft (12) kinematically coupled to the gearbox (20) and configured to be kinematically coupled to one of said at least two rotors, - a bearing support (14), and at least one bearing (16) mounted on the bearing support (14) and configured to support the rotating shaft (12).