Turbomachine Flange Fastening Assembly with Angled Bolt Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of component flanges in turbomachines, particularly in narrow spatial conditions, is challenging due to the need for precise alignment and secure fastening of bolts, which is complicated by manufacturing and assembly tolerances, as well as thermal deformations.
Innovation Solution
A fastening assembly featuring a component flange with equidistantly distributed bores and the use of a sleeve to secure bolts, allowing for angled insertion and axial locking, which facilitates assembly under tight conditions and compensates for tolerances and deformations through axial and radial positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bolts are inserted through bores in component flanges under narrow spatial conditions, then secure fastening is achieved, but assembly difficulty increases due to limited access and alignment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve is placed in the bore before bolt insertion, preparing the assembly path in advance. This preliminary action allows the bolt to be inserted at an angle without requiring precise alignment, as the sleeve already provides guidance and tolerance compensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve acts as an intermediary element between the bore and the bolt. It mediates the connection by providing a transition zone that accommodates misalignment and enables bolt insertion under narrow spatial conditions where direct insertion would be difficult or impossible.
2Reliability
If precise alignment is required for bolt insertion, then secure fastening is achieved, but assembly time increases due to alignment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve changes the geometric parameters of the assembly path by providing an angled insertion route. This parameter change allows bolt insertion without requiring precise axial alignment, thereby reducing assembly time while maintaining secure fastening through the sleeve's locking mechanism.
3Productivity
If manufacturing and assembly tolerances are present, then production efficiency is improved, but assembly precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve provides localized precision at the critical insertion point while allowing tolerances elsewhere in the assembly. By concentrating the precision function in the sleeve's internal geometry rather than requiring precision throughout the entire assembly path, production efficiency improves without sacrificing assembly precision where needed.
4Reliability
If thermal deformations are accommodated, then operational reliability is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve provides a dynamic assembly solution that accommodates thermal deformations through its geometric design. The angled insertion path and internal geometry allow for movement and adjustment, enabling the assembly to adapt to thermal changes without requiring complex compensation mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A fastening assembly having a component flange (10), in particular of a turbomachine, having at least one bore (11) in which a sleeve (30) is placed that extends through a bolt (20) which has a head (21) that is axially secured between a rim (12) of the bore and a component flange-mounted axial limit stop (13).