United Technologies Corporation

Alan D Munroe

Karl D Blume

Robert E Gurney

Peter E Voyer

A method and apparatus which facilitate separation of a gas turbofan powerplant into modules for shipping, maintenance and repair is disclosed. Various construction details are developed which provide means for mounting a fan cowling to an engine core in a manner which permits transference of operational loads from the fan cowling to the engine core and separation of the fan cowling from the engine core. In one embodiment, a fan cowling (46) is attached to an engine core (18) by a plurality of radially extending through struts (64). The through struts include a bolted joint (72) which permits separation of a powerplant (12) into a first module and a second module. For this embodiment, a method for varying between an assembled and disassembled condition is comprised of manipulating the joints between an engaged and disengaged position and axially moving the separate modules along a longitudinal centerline (14).

Method of disassembling a gas turbine engine power plant

Separable fan strut for a gas turbofan powerplant

An abradable rub strip for use in the compression section of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. Various construction details are developed for limiting penetration of the abradable rub strip by an array of rotor blades. A ring formed of metallic material is embedded in the abradable rub strip.

Abradable rub strip

A linkage system for the variable stator vanes of a gas turbine engine is augmented by control means operable as a function of compressor speed designed to match the aerodynamic requirements of the airflow through the compressor so as to define the rate of schedule change of the vanes over its angular movement by compensating for the inadequacies inherent in the capabilities of the linkage system.

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Glastonbury, CT, United States of America

Alan D Munroe