United Technologies Corporation

Daniel R Kapszukiewicz

Daniel Benjamin

Kaliya Balamurugan

Marc J Muldoon

Eric Charles Mundell

Paul D Genereux

Brian C Lund

Larry James Timmons

Lyubov Y Belko

Steve A McLeod

Systems and methods for reducing friction during gas turbine engine assembly may comprise, a rear hub which may comprise a conical web, a horizontal arm coupled to the conical web, and/or a hub kickstand coupled to the conical web. The conical web, horizontal arm, and/or hub kickstand may converge at a pivot point. The hub kickstand may be removably coupled to the tie shaft.

Systems and methods for reducing friction during gas turbine engine assembly

A middle support member is used to provide axial support and control to the tie shaft. The middle support member includes a high pressure compressor coupling nut that applies a preload that allows the high pressure compressor stack to be installed separately from the high pressure turbine rotor through a kickstand.

Dynamic stability and mid axial preload control for a tie shaft coupled axial high pressure rotor

A method is disclosed for manufacturing a tie shaft for aero or land based gas turbine engine. The method includes flow forming a tie shaft preform to produce a tie shaft. In one example, the tie shaft includes a nickel alloy cylindrical wall having a length to diameter ratio of at least 6:1, wherein the diameter is an average outer diameter. The wall includes a minimum effective strain of 0.3 in/in (7.6 mm/mm), and a grain size is in the range of G4 to G16 per ASTM E112. The wall includes a roll formed threaded surface having a thread roughness of less than 1260 &#x3bc;in (32 microns).

Tie shaft for gas turbine engine and flow forming method for manufacturing same

A fastener arrangement has first and second threaded members. The fastener arrangement includes the first threaded member having threads that extend from a first end to a second end. The threads have a thread contour that is provided by load and clearance flank surfaces that are joined to one another by crests and roots. The crest provides a crest diameter. A root provides a root diameter and is arranged between adjoining threads. At least one thread near the first end has a weakened thread contour that decreases rigidity of the one thread compared to other threads. The threads extend along an axis. The crest diameter of the second threaded member varies and lies along crest angle relative to the axis and comprises a second threaded member that has load flank surfaces that are engaging the load flank surfaces of the first threaded member at thread contact interfaces. The thread contact interfaces are smaller towards the second end than thread contact interfaces toward the first end.

Thread load distribution

A fastener arrangement includes a threaded member having threads extending from a first end to a second end. The threads have a thread contour provided by a load and clearance flank surfaces joined to one another by a crest and root. For the external threaded member the crest provides a crest diameter, and a root provides a root diameter and is arranged between adjoining threads. At least one thread near the first end has a weakened thread contour that decreases rigidity of the one thread compared to other threads, enabling axial loads to be distributed more evenly between the threads.

A gas turbine engine has a compressor section carrying a plurality of compressor rotors and a turbine section carrying a plurality of turbine rotors. The compressor rotors and the turbine rotors are constrained to rotate with the tie shaft. An upstream hub provides an upstream abutment face for the compressor rotors. A downstream hub bounds the downstream end of the compressor rotor to bias the compressor rotors against the upstream hub using an abutment member. The downstream hub has a rearwardly extending arm which provides a stop for the turbine rotors. A second abutment member is tightened on the tie shaft to force the turbine rotors against the downstream hub to hold together the turbine rotors.

Growing community of inventors

Plainfield, CT, United States of America

Daniel R Kapszukiewicz