Turbine Rotor Centralization Support Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
During gas turbine engine maintenance, the removal of aft engine portions causes rotor misalignment due to the unsupported weight of the rotor, leading to potential damage and re-assembly difficulties.
Innovation Solution
The use of elongate support elements extending radially through the engine casing to rigidly connect with the rotor assembly, cooperating with existing bearing support structures to centralize and partially support the rotor's weight when a bearing support structure is absent, and the insertion of spacers to maintain coaxial relationships between shafts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the bearing support structure is removed to provide access to the engine interior, then maintenance access is improved, but the rotor misalignment and potential damage occur due to unsupported weight
Solution Approach 1:
The support element is installed in advance before the bearing support structure is removed. This preliminary action ensures that when the bearing support is taken away for maintenance access, the rotor is already supported by the support element, preventing misalignment and damage.
2Ease of operation
If the rotor is unsupported during maintenance operations, then maintenance access is facilitated, but rotor droop and misalignment occur
Solution Approach 1:
The support element acts as an intermediary component between the rotor and the engine structure. It transfers the rotor's weight to the engine casing, allowing maintenance personnel to remove bearing supports for access without causing the rotor to droop or misalign.
3Ease of operation
If bearing support structures are removed for access, then maintenance capability is improved, but re-assembly difficulties arise due to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The support element automatically maintains the rotor in the correct position throughout the maintenance process. When re-assembly begins, the rotor is already properly aligned by the support element, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures and reducing re-assembly complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
One or more support elements radially extend through one or more openings defined in a turbine engine casing and are configured to centralize and at least partially support a rotor assembly of the engine during an engine disassembly or assembly procedure. The support elements are configured to transfer any rotor assembly weight loads to an engine casing while a bearing support of the rotor assembly is absent or removed.