United Technologies Corporation

Herbert J Lillibridge

Russell A Schwarzmann

Michael A Weisse

Robert F Kasprow

Kurt M Dembeck

Grant Eckfeldt

An axial flow turbomachine's engine core (16) and radially outwardly disposed fan case (18) are joined together with a radially extending segmented fan case strut (10). The strut (10) is segmented into a radially inner portion (20) and a radially outer portion (20) at a midspanly disposed strut joint (14). The strut joint (14) has an axially extending tapered tongue (26) which slidably engages with a mating axially extending groove (46). A radially extending flange (36) disposed proximate to the trailing edge (35) of the inner portion (20) is bolted to the radially extending flange (56) disposed proximate to the trailing edge (55) of the outward portion (40) when the tongue (26) is fully engaged with the groove (46) to releasably secure the strut joint (14). Another embodiment shows a pair of interlocked axially extending channels (60) each having a U-shaped cross-section replacing the interlocked tongue and groove (26,46) of the first embodiment. Radially extending flanges (36,56) disposed proximate to the portions' (20,40) trailing edges 935,55) are likewise bolted together to releasably secure the strut joint (14) when the channels' three corresponding pairs of contact surfaces (62) are fully slidably engaged.

Fan case strut for turbomachine

A metallic seal ring which has a gap between its ends to allow for thermal expansion, the gap being closed by a slip joint fitting within the ends of the ring and secured at one end only to one end of the ring with lthe other end of the joint free to slide within the ring and with the shape of the joint conforming in general to that of the seal ring.

Thermally expansive slip joint for formed sheet metal seals

A feather seal construction that interlocks a pair of feather seal elements that fit into intersecting slots. Each interlocking element is restrained axially but permits relative limited rotary motion. One of the elements is recessed with diametrically opposed slots forming an 'H' shaped member and the other is apertured at one end which is then slotted, bent to allow it to fit into the diametrical slots and then joined in the original position. An extruding end adjacent one face of the interlocking element seals in an axial direction giving both radial and axial sealing characteristics.

Intersecting feather seals and construction thereof

Intersecting feather seals for interlocking gas turbine vanes

Apparatus for dampening rotor blade vibratory energy in a rotary machine is disclosed. Concepts employing blade to blade damping are discussed. In one detailed form, a damper (52) is disposed to seat against the undersides of adjacent blade platform sections (20) and a seal (42) is spaced sufficiently close to the damper so as to be deflected against the damper under centrifugal loads to augment dampening of the rotor blades by the damper.

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Plainville, CT, United States of America

Herbert J Lillibridge