United Technologies Corporation

Raytheon Technologies Corporation

Rtx Corporation

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, Inc.

Timothy Dale

Jonathan Jeffery Eastwood

Dave J Hyland

Frederick M Schwarz

David P Houston

Steven D Roberts

Paul J Hiester

David M Nissley

James R Midgley

Timothy B Winfield

Jocelyn Charis Damgaard

Marnie A Rizo

Madeline Campbell

Jorge I Farah

Meggan Harris

Hoyt Y Chang

Christopher Treat

Joseph T Caprario

Richard W Monahan

David C Pimenta

Matthew R Willett

Yusuke Ichihashi

Yohei Fujimoto

Swati G Bhanderi

Madeline N Campbell

Jonathan Jefferey Eastwood

Jocelyn C Damgaard

A method of monitoring a gas turbine engine includes the steps of: (a) receiving information from actual flights of an aircraft including an engine to be monitored, and including at least one of the ambient temperature at takeoff, and internal engine pressures, temperatures and speeds; (b) evaluating the damage accumulated on an engine component given the data received in step (a); (c) storing the determined damage from step (b); (d) repeating steps (a)-(c); (e) recommending a suggested future use for the component based upon steps (a)-(d). A system is also disclosed.

Gas turbine engine with lifing calculations based upon actual usage

A case is provided for a gas turbine engine. The case includes a wall defining a through-hole. The case also includes first and second pockets adjacent to, and on opposite sides, of the through hole. A method of reducing stress in a case of a gas turbine engine is also provided that includes reducing stress about a through-hole by providing a concavity on each side of the through-hole.

Shielding pockets for case holes

Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a system for an engine having an axial centerline, comprising: a diffuser case, a turbine case, and a turbine vane support, where the diffuser case and the turbine case are coupled to one another via a substantially radially oriented flange, where the turbine vane support includes a heat shield for the flange, and where the turbine vane support includes a radially outward projecting tab that couples to the turbine case via a radial interference fit.

Engine cases and associated flange

A combustor section of a gas turbine engine has a diffuser case with a structural cone having variable wall thicknesses strategically located for reducing localized stress in the cone.

Inner diffuser case for a gas turbine engine

A flange heat shield is provided. The flange heat shield may comprise an annular body having a forward end opposite an aft end. The forward end of the flange heat shield may comprise a radial snap configured to interface with an inner surface of an engine case. The inner surface of the engine case may comprise an airflow ramp forward of the radial snap. The aft end of the flange heat shield may comprise a plurality of notches defining voids on the aft end. The aft end of the flange heat shield may also comprise mounting tabs configured to couple the flange heat shield to the engine case.

Flange heat shield

A pre-diffuser of an inner diffuser case of a gas turbine engine may comprise an annular outer wall and an annular inner wall radially inside of the annular outer wall to define a passage for primary airflow therebetween. The pre-diffuser may further comprise at least one strut extending radially between the annular inner wall and the annular outer wall and at least one aperture formed in the strut that extends radially through the strut, the annular inner wall, and the annular outer wall. The pre-diffuser may further comprise at least one hollow cavity formed in the strut, and the hollow cavity may be separate from the aperture.

Pre-diffuser strut for gas turbine engine

An inner casing for a diffuser-combustor assembly of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The inner casing may include an outer-ring, an inner-ring circumscribed by the outer-ring, and a strut having a body extending between the inner-ring and the outer-ring. In addition, the inner casing may include a reinforcing-pad.

Gas turbine engine diffuser-combustor assembly inner casing

A pre-diffuser and exit guide vane (EGV) system for a gas turbine engine includes an annular EGV assembly containing a number of guide vanes and having an annular opening bounded by a radially inner annular sealing surface at a first radius and a radially outer annular sealing surface at a second radius. First and second seals substantially matching the first and second radii respectively join the EGV assembly to an annular pre-diffuser having an annular opening bounded by radially inner and outer annular sealing surfaces at substantially the first and second radii. The seals seal the inner sealing surface of the EGV assembly to the inner sealing surface of the pre-diffuser and the second seal seals the outer sealing surface of the EGV assembly to the outer sealing surface of the pre-diffuser, such that the EGV assembly annular opening is in fluid communication with the annular opening of the pre-diffuser.

High compressor exit guide vane assembly to pre-diffuser junction

A hydrostatic seal and vibration damping apparatus for a gas turbine engine adapted to reduce vibrations during cold engine start-ups is disclosed. In one disclosed configuration, the vibration damping apparatus is comprised of a temperature sensitive control ring having a relatively high coefficient of thermal expansion adapted to expand quickly at relatively low temperatures to protect the hydrostatic seal during such gas turbine engine startups. At operational temperatures, the control ring is adapted to become separated from the hydrostatic sea.

Vibration damping apparatus for hydrostatic seal of gas turbine engine

An outer diffuser case of a diffuser case assembly for use in a gas turbine engine may have a housing orientated about an engine axis, a forward flange projecting radially outward from the housing, a mid-flange spaced axially aft of the forward flange and projecting radially inward from the housing, and an aft flange projecting radially outward from the housing. The mid flange is spaced axially between the forward and aft flanges and is configured to detachably engage an inner diffuser case of the case assembly. The forward flange is configured to detachably engage a high pressure compressor and the aft flange is configured to detachably engage a high pressure turbine of the engine.

Outer diffuser case for a gas turbine engine

A pre-diffuser may include a plurality of struts, and each strut may have a leading edge. An upper contour of the leading edge may have a forward end and an aft end, and may include a first radius and a second radius. The first and second radii may be associated with the forward end and the aft end, respectively. The first radius may also be located farther forward than the second radius, and may be larger than the second radius.

Pre-diffuser with multiple radii

An inner diffuser case for a gas turbine engine may include a pre-diffuser including a plurality of struts. At least one of the struts may include an aperture therethrough. A cone may have a downstream end coupled to the pre-diffuser downstream of, and proximate to, the aperture. A skirt may have a forward end coupled to the pre-diffuser downstream of, and proximate to, the aperture. The forward end of the skirt may be axially aligned with the downstream end of the cone.

Inner diffuser case cone and skirt

A turbine engine includes multiple tierod supports. Each of the tierod supports is connected to an inner frame case of the turbine engine via multiple fasteners and at least one self anti-rotating bushing component.

Turbine engine support assembly including self anti-rotating bushing

A flexible seal system for a gas turbine engine includes an annular mounting bracket, an annular support bracket, an annular flexible seal and a plurality of mounting spacers. The flexible seal extends axially between a first mounting segment and a second mounting segment. The first mounting segment is connected axially between the mounting bracket and the support bracket, and includes a plurality of mounting apertures that extend axially through the first mounting segment. Each of the mounting spacers is arranged within a respective one of the mounting apertures, and extends axially between the mounting bracket and the support bracket.

Growing community of inventors

Manchester, CT, United States of America

Timothy Dale