United Technologies Corporation

Kyle J Osga

Richard F Norman

Andrew D Burdick

Paul R Senofonte

Alex J Simpson

Edward A Krystowski

A gas turbine engine has the convergent flaps and seals of an adjustable cross-sectional area nozzle connected to associated liners with a thermally compliant bracket. The bracket includes spaced feet with an intermediate notch spaced away from the liner. In this manner, a temperature gradient along the liner can be easily compensated at the connection of the bracket to the liner by adjustment within the notch. In other features, the bracket is riveted to the liner, providing further resistance to thermal expansion due to temperature gradiations.

Gas turbine engine nozzle liner with thermally compliant attachment brackets

A convergent/divergent nozzle for a gas turbine engine includes liners that are attached to the convergent flaps and seals. The liner is formed of two separate plates. By splitting the liner into two separate plates, a thermal break is provided between the two. Thermal stresses on a downstream plate are not as readily transferred to an upstream plate. External stresses on the upstream plate are not transferred as readily to the downstream plate. The two liner plate portions, and a separate backing plate all have faces that abut and are riveted together. These faces provide a flow blocker to maintain a lower pressure downstream of the flow blocker.

Axially split nozzle liner for convergent nozzle

A quick change connection is provided for attaching a bracket and liner subassembly to convergent flaps and seals in an adjustable nozzle for a gas turbine engine. A threaded attachment member has a t-shaped head that is secured to prevent rotation by a washer. The washer is held in place in the convergent flaps and seals by spring fingers in a slot. By utilizing the washer, a simple threaded connection can be utilized even though the threaded attachment member must extend to a radially outer surface of the convergent flaps and seals, while a nut is threaded onto the threaded attachment member radially inwardly of the convergent flaps and seals. The washer prevents rotation of a head of the threaded attachment member, and thus allows the nut to be easily tightened to secure the components. This also facilitates maintenance as the threaded nut can be easily removed from the threaded attachment for replacement.

Quick change fastener system for attaching liner bracket to convergent flap and seal in turbine nozzle

A bracket for attaching a liner to the divergent flaps and seals in a gas turbine engine convergent/divergent nozzle includes a rivet connection. There is clearance between a rivet and an opening in the bracket. This clearance allows for thermal expansion in both an axial and a radial invention.

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Windham, CT, United States of America

Kyle J Osga