U.S. patent application number 16/677826 was filed with the patent office on 2020-03-19 for flange bending support.
The applicant listed for this patent is Delavan Inc.. Invention is credited to Dustin Andrew Borror, Mark A. Caples, Jacob Greenfield.
Application Number | 20200088409 16/677826 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63965146 |
Filed Date | 2020-03-19 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200088409 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Greenfield; Jacob ; et
al. |
March 19, 2020 |
FLANGE BENDING SUPPORT
Abstract
An injector includes a mounting flange having a mounting lug
with fastener bore therethrough that passes through the mounting
flange. A support beam extends along an outer surface of the
mounting flange from the mounting lug to a hub of the mounting
flange. The support beam includes an outer surface spaced apart
from the outer surface of the mounting flange and two opposed
lateral surfaces each extending from the outer surface of the
support beam toward the outer surface of the mounting flange. The
outer surface of the support beam includes a contour and/or the
support beam includes a stiffening beam that is wider than the
width between the opposed lateral surfaces of the support beam.
Inventors: |
Greenfield; Jacob; (Granger,
IA) ; Borror; Dustin Andrew; (Norwalk, IA) ;
Caples; Mark A.; (Ankeny, IA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Delavan Inc. |
West Des Moines |
IA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
63965146 |
Appl. No.: |
16/677826 |
Filed: |
November 8, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15789610 |
Oct 20, 2017 |
10480790 |
|
|
16677826 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F02M 37/0017 20130101;
F23R 2900/00012 20130101; F02C 7/22 20130101; B05B 15/62 20180201;
F23R 3/283 20130101; F23R 2900/00017 20130101; F23R 2900/00005
20130101 |
International
Class: |
F23R 3/28 20060101
F23R003/28; F02M 37/00 20060101 F02M037/00; F02C 7/22 20060101
F02C007/22; B05B 15/62 20060101 B05B015/62 |
Claims
1. A method of installing an injector in an engine case comprising:
tightening a fastener passing through a mounting lug of a mounting
flange on an injector to fasten the injector to an engine case,
wherein there is a gasket and a shroud compressed by an inner
surface of the mounting flange in a pocket of the engine case,
wherein tightening the fastener loads the mounting flange without
causing failure because the mounting flange is supported by a
support beam extending from a hub of the mounting flange to the
mounting lug, wherein the support beam has at least one of: an
outer surface with a contour extending along a majority of the
length from the first mounting lug to the hub for mitigating
mechanical stresses at the mounting lug; and/or a stiffening beam
extending from opposed lateral surfaces of the support beam to an
outer surface of the mounting flange wherein the stiffening beam is
wider than the width between the opposed lateral surfaces.
2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein tightening a fastener
includes tightening two fasteners into two diametrically opposed
mounting lugs of the mounting flange, wherein a respective first
and second support beam as recited in claim 1 extends from the hub
to each mounting lug.
3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the outer surface of
the support beam includes a contour with a blended radius that
extends along a majority of the length from the first mounting lug
to the hub for mitigating mechanical stresses at the first mounting
lug.
4. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the support beam
further comprises: a second mounting lug with a fastener bore
therethrough that passes through the mounting flange; and a second
support beam extending along the outer surface of the mounting
flange from the second mounting lug to the hub of the mounting
flange, wherein the second support beam includes an outer surface
spaced apart from the outer surface of the mounting flange and two
opposed lateral surfaces each extending from the outer surface of
the second support beam toward the outer surface of the mounting
flange, wherein the outer surface of the second support beam
includes a contour with a blended radius for mitigating mechanical
stresses at the second mounting lug.
5. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the first and second
lugs are diametrically opposed to one another across the hub of the
mounting flange.
6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the support beam
includes a stiffening beam extending from the lateral surfaces of
the support beam to the outer surface of the mounting flange,
wherein the stiffening beam is wider than the width between the
opposed lateral surfaces of the support beam.
7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the contour of the
outer surface of the first support beam is tangent with an outer
surface of the first mounting lug.
8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the outer surface of
the first support beam includes a flat portion extending from the
hub to the contour.
9. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the contour meets the
flat portion of the outer surface of the support beam at a
non-tangential angle.
10. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein over 75% of the outer
surface of the support beam is included in the contour, and under
25% of the outer surface of the support beam is included in the
flat portion.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
15/789,610 filed Oct. 20, 2017 the contents of which are
incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present disclosure relates to nozzles and injectors, and
more particularly to mounting nozzles and injectors such as in gas
turbine engines.
2. Description of Related Art
[0003] Injectors and nozzles are often used to clamp components of
air shrouds and seals when installing the nozzles in engine cases
of gas turbine engines. Using nozzles to clamp these other
components leaves a gap between the mounting flange of the nozzle
and the engine case. This gap allows the mounting flange to bend
and to be subjected to mechanical stress when the bolts are torqued
to mount the nozzle to the engine case. This mechanical stress and
bending can cause cracking, which must be corrected by replacing
the nozzle.
[0004] The conventional techniques have been considered
satisfactory for their intended purpose. However, there is an ever
present need for improved flange bending support. This disclosure
provides a solution for this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] An injector includes a mounting flange and a feed arm
extending from an inner surface of the mounting flange. A spray
nozzle extends from an end of the feed arm opposite the mounting
flange. The mounting flange includes at least one inlet fitting in
fluid communication with one or more respective fluid passages
through the feed arm. The spray nozzle is in fluid communication
with the one or more respective fluid passages for issuing a spray
of fluid supplied from the at least one inlet fitting. The mounting
flange includes a first mounting lug with a fastener bore
therethrough that passes through the mounting flange. A first
support beam extends along an outer surface of the mounting flange
from the first mounting lug to a hub of the mounting flange. The
first support beam includes an outer surface spaced apart from the
outer surface of the mounting flange and two opposed lateral
surfaces each extending from the outer surface of the first support
beam toward the outer surface of the mounting flange. The outer
surface of the first support beam includes a contour with a blended
radius that extends along a majority of the length from the first
mounting lug to the hub for mitigating mechanical stresses at the
first mounting lug.
[0006] A second mounting lug can be included with a fastener bore
therethrough that passes through the mounting flange. A second
support beam can extend along the outer surface of the mounting
flange from the second mounting lug to the hub of the mounting
flange. The second support beam can include an outer surface spaced
apart from the outer surface of the mounting flange and two opposed
lateral surfaces each extending from the outer surface of the
second support beam toward the outer surface of the mounting
flange. The outer surface of the second support beam can include a
contour with a blended radius for mitigating mechanical stresses at
the second mounting lug. The first and second lugs can be
diametrically opposed to one another across the hub of the mounting
flange.
[0007] An engine case can be mounted to the mounting flange by two
fasteners fastened through the fastener bores of the first and
second mounting lugs. There can be a pocket defined between the
engine case and the inner surface of the mounting flange. A gasket
can be seated in the pocket sealing between the inner surface of
the mounting flange and the engine case. An injector shroud can
extend through the engine case around the feed arm and can be
captured in the pocket.
[0008] The support beam can include a stiffening beam extending
from the lateral surfaces of the support beam to the outer surface
of the mounting flange, wherein the stiffening beam is wider than
the width between the opposed lateral surfaces of the support beam.
The contour of the outer surface of the first support beam can be
tangent with an outer surface of the first mounting lug. The outer
surface of the first support beam can include a flat portion
extending from the hub to the contour. The contour can meet the
flat portion of the outer surface of the support beam at a
non-tangential angle. Over 75% of the outer surface of the support
beam can be included in the contour, and under 25% of the outer
surface of the support beam can be included in the flat
portion.
[0009] A method of installing an injector in an engine case
includes tightening a fastener passing through a mounting lug of a
mounting flange on an injector to fasten the injector to an engine
case. There is a gasket and a shroud compressed by an inner surface
of the mounting flange in a pocket of the engine case, wherein
tightening the fastener loads the mounting flange without causing
failure because the mounting flange is supported by a support beam
extending from a hub of the mounting flange to the mounting lug.
The support beam has at least one of an outer surface with a
contour extending along a majority of the length from the first
mounting lug to the hub for mitigating mechanical stresses at the
mounting lug and/or a stiffening beam extending from opposed
lateral surfaces of the support beam to an outer surface of the
mounting flange wherein the stiffening beam is wider than the width
between the opposed lateral surfaces. Tightening a fastener can
include tightening two fasteners into two diametrically opposed
mounting lugs of the mounting flange, wherein a support beam as
recited in claim 11 extends from the hub to each mounting lug.
[0010] It is also contemplated that an injector includes a mounting
flange and a feed arm extending from an inner surface of the
mounting flange. A spray nozzle extends from an end of the feed arm
opposite the mounting flange. The mounting flange includes at least
one inlet fitting in fluid communication with one or more
respective fluid passages through the feed arm. The spray nozzle is
in fluid communication with the one or more respective fluid
passages for issuing a spray of fluid supplied from the at least
one inlet fitting. The mounting flange includes a first mounting
lug with fastener bore therethrough that passes through the
mounting flange. A first support beam extends along an outer
surface of the mounting flange from the first mounting lug to a hub
of the mounting flange, wherein the first support beam includes an
outer surface spaced apart from the outer surface of the mounting
flange and two opposed lateral surfaces each extending from the
outer surface of the first support beam toward the outer surface of
the mounting flange, wherein the support beam includes a stiffening
beam extending from the lateral surfaces of the support beam to the
outer surface of the mounting flange, and wherein the stiffening
beam is wider than the width between the opposed lateral surfaces
of the support beam for preventing over flexing the mounting
flange.
[0011] A second mounting lug can be included with a fastener bore
therethrough that passes through the mounting flange. A second
support beam can extend along the outer surface of the mounting
flange from the second mounting lug to the hub of the mounting
flange. The second support beam can include an outer surface spaced
apart from the outer surface of the mounting flange and two opposed
lateral surfaces each extending from the outer surface of the
second support beam toward the outer surface of the mounting
flange, wherein the support beam includes a stiffening beam
extending from the lateral surfaces of the support beam to the
outer surface of the mounting flange, and wherein the stiffening
beam is wider than the width between the opposed lateral surfaces
of the support beam for preventing over flexing the mounting
flange. The first and second lugs can be diametrically opposed to
one another across the hub of the mounting flange.
[0012] An engine case can be mounted to the mounting flange by two
fasteners fastened through the fastener bores of the first and
second mounting lugs, wherein there is a pocket defined between the
engine case and the inner surface of the mounting flange. A gasket
can be seated in the pocket sealing between the inner surface of
the mounting flange and the engine case. An injector shroud can
extend through the engine case around the feed arm and can be
captured in the pocket.
[0013] These and other features of the systems and methods of the
subject disclosure will become more readily apparent to those
skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] So that those skilled in the art to which the subject
disclosure appertains will readily understand how to make and use
the devices and methods of the subject disclosure without undue
experimentation, preferred embodiments thereof will be described in
detail herein below with reference to certain figures, wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of
an injector constructed in accordance with the present disclosure,
showing the mounting flange, feed arm, and nozzle;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the injector of FIG. 1,
showing the stiffening beams and the contours of the outer surfaces
of the support beams; and
[0017] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side-elevation view of a portion
of the injector of FIG. 1, showing a fastener mounting the injector
to an engine case.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like
reference numerals identify similar structural features or aspects
of the subject disclosure. For purposes of explanation and
illustration, and not limitation, a partial view of an exemplary
embodiment of an injector in accordance with the disclosure is
shown in FIG. 1 and is designated generally by reference character
100. Other embodiments of injectors in accordance with the
disclosure, or aspects thereof, are provided in FIGS. 2-3, as will
be described. The systems and methods described herein can be used
to mitigate and/or eliminate failures of mounting flanges during
installation of injectors and nozzles such as in gas turbine
engines.
[0019] The injector 100 includes a mounting flange 102 and a feed
arm 104 extending from an inner surface 106 of the mounting flange
102. A spray nozzle 108 extends from an end of the feed arm 104
opposite the mounting flange 102. The mounting flange 102 includes
at least one inlet fitting 110, in the example shown in FIGS. 1-2,
there are two inlet fittings 110 but any suitable number of inlet
fittings can be used. The inlet fittings 110 are in fluid
communication with one or more respective fluid passages 112
through the feed arm 104 as indicated schematically in FIG. 1 with
the broken lines. The spray nozzle 108 is in fluid communication
with the one or more respective fluid passages 112 for issuing a
spray of fluid supplied from the inlet fitting or fittings 110.
[0020] With reference now to FIG. 2, the mounting flange 102
includes a first mounting lug 114 with a fastener bore 116
therethrough that passes through the mounting flange 102. A first
support beam 118 extends along an outer surface 120 of the mounting
flange 102 from the first mounting lug 114 to a hub 122 of the
mounting flange 102. The first support beam 118 includes an outer
surface 124 spaced apart from the outer surface 120 of the mounting
flange 102 and two opposed lateral surfaces 126 each extending from
the outer surface 124 of the first support beam 118 toward the
outer surface 120 of the mounting flange 102. Inner and outer in
this context are with respect to an engine case into which the
injector 100 is mounted as described below. The outer surface 124
of the first support beam 118 includes a contour 128 with a blended
radius that extends along a majority of the length from the first
mounting lug 114 to the hub 122 for mitigating mechanical stresses
at the first mounting lug 114. The contour 128 is tangent with an
outer surface of the first mounting lug 114, e.g., the upper
surface of the mounting lug 114 as oriented in FIGS. 1-2. The outer
surface 124 of the first support beam 118 includes a flat portion
129 extending from the hub 122 to the contour 128. The contour 128
meets the flat portion 129 of the outer surface 124 of the support
beam 118 at a non-tangential angle. Over 75% of the outer surface
124 of the support beam 118 is included in the contour 128, and
under 25% of the outer surface 124 of the support beam 118 is
included in the flat portion 129. Those skilled in the art will
readily appreciate that other percentages can be used for the
contour 128 and flat portion 129 without departing from the scope
of this disclosure. The radius size for contour 128 can be chosen,
iteratively as needed, until the stress prediction is shown to be
acceptable for a specific application.
[0021] The support beam 118 includes a stiffening beam 130
extending, e.g., downward as oriented in FIGS. 1-2, from the
lateral surfaces 126 of the support beam 118 to the outer surface
120 of the mounting flange 102. The stiffening beam 130 is wider
than the width between the opposed lateral surfaces 126 of the
support beam 118. The stiffening beam 130 can prevent the mounting
flange 102 from over flexing, which could otherwise result in
leakage at the gasket 154, which is described below.
[0022] A second mounting lug 132 includes a fastener bore 134
therethrough that passes through the mounting flange 102. A second
support beam 136 extends along the outer surface 102 of the
mounting flange 102 from the second mounting lug 132 to the hub
122. The second support beam 136 is similar to the first support
beam 118 and includes an outer surface 138 spaced apart from the
outer surface 120 of the mounting flange 102 and two opposed
lateral surfaces 140 each extending from the outer surface 138
toward the outer surface 120 of the mounting flange 102. The outer
surface 138 of the second support beam 136 includes a contour 142
with a blended radius for mitigating mechanical stresses at the
second mounting lug 132. There is a flat portion 144 on the outer
surface 138 of the second support beam 136, and the flat portion
144 and contour 142 are similar to those described above with
respect to the first support beam 118. The second support beam 136
also includes a stiffening beam 146 similar to that described above
with respect to the first stiffening beam 130. The first and second
lugs 114 and 132 are diametrically opposed to one another across
the hub 122 of the mounting flange 102.
[0023] With reference now to FIG. 3, the mounting flange 102 can be
mounted to an engine case 148 by two fasteners 150, only one of
which is shown in FIG. 3 for sake of clarity, fastened through the
fastener bores 116 and 134 of the first and second mounting lugs
114 and 132. There is a pocket 152 defined between the engine case
148 and the inner surface 106 of the mounting flange 102. A gasket
154 is seated in the pocket 152, sealing between the inner surface
106 of the mounting flange 102 and the engine case 148. An injector
shroud 156 extends through the engine case 148 around the feed arm
104, captured in the pocket 152 between the mounting flange 102 and
the engine case 148. The top surface of the injector shroud 156 is
arranged to be initially below the top surface of the gasket 154
(as oriented in FIG. 3) so that the gasket 154 must be compressed
in order to capture the injector shroud 156 in pocket 152.
[0024] Installing an injector 100 in an engine case 148 includes
tightening the fastener 150 passing through each of the mounting
lugs 114 and 132 of the mounting flange 102 to fasten the injector
100 to the engine case 148. This compresses the gasket 154 and the
shroud 156 in the pocket 152 between the inner surface 106 of the
mounting flange 102 and the engine case 148. Tightening the
fastener 150 loads the mounting flange 102 without causing failure,
e.g. at the mounting lugs 114 and 132, because the mounting flange
102 is supported by the support beams 118 and 136, which mitigate
mechanical stresses at the mounting lug 114. Compressing the gasket
154 includes tightening two fasteners 150, e.g., by torqueing, into
the two diametrically opposed mounting lugs 114 and 132, tightening
the gap G between the inner surface 106 of the mounting flange 102
and the engine case 148. The blended radii of the contours 128 and
142 absorb stresses as the fasteners 150 are torqued, reducing the
possibility of failure such as cracking at the mounting lugs 114
and 132. The stiffening beams 130 and 146 help prevent the flange
102 from deflecting and causing stresses when the fasteners 150 are
torqued, also reducing the possibility of failure.
[0025] The methods and systems of the present disclosure, as
described above and shown in the drawings, provide for mounting
flange bending support with superior properties including reduced
mechanical stresses. While the apparatus and methods of the subject
disclosure have been shown and described with reference to
preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily
appreciate that changes and/or modifications may be made thereto
without departing from the scope of the subject disclosure.
* * * * *