Abstract A centrifugal impeller and centripetal turbine, both operable at extremely high rmp''s, are connected through a pilot joint comprising an outer sleeve extending from one of the joint components and telescoped over an inner sleeve extending from the other component. A flange section extends radially inward from the inner sleeve adjacent to a pilot interface between the sleeves with a fit permitting ease of assembly and disassembly. The flange is interrupted at a number of positions to provide sufficient flexibility in the periphery of the inner pilot surface to cause it to expand radially outward in response to centrifugal force on the flange and thus maintain concentricity of the compressor relative to the turbine and increase the press fit for torque transmissability.
Inventors
👤 W Shank
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-11-06 11:54
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01D; F01D5/00; F01D5/02; F01D5/026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A turbomachine rotor assembly comprising: first and second bladed rotor elements; an outer sleeve coaxial with and extending from one of said rotor elements; an inner sleeve coaxial with the other of said rotor elements and received in said outer sleeve, said inner and outer sleeves having concentric pilot surfaces for maintaining the sleeves coaxial with respect to one another, a suitable fit being maintained between said pilot surfaces to permit ease of assembly and disassembly of said sleeves; means for axially securing said sleeves relative to one another; and an integral flange at the end of said inner sleeve, said flange extending from the inner periphery of said sleeve, said flange having a plurality of radial notches extending from the inner diameter of said flange to provide flexibility in the pilot surface of said inner sleeve, thereby permitting it to expand radially outward in response to centrifugal force acting on the flange for maintaining the inner and outer sleeves coaxial.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
A turbomachine rotor assembly comprising: first and second bladed rotor elements; an outer sleeve coaxial with and extending from one of said rotor elements; an inner sleeve coaxial with the other of said rotor elements and received in said outer sleeve, said inner and outer sleeves having concentric pilot surfaces for maintaining the sleeves coaxial with respect to one another, a suitable fit being maintained between said pilot surfaces to permit ease of assembly and disassembly of said sleeves; means for axially securing said sleeves relative to one another; and an integral flange at the end of said inner sleeve, said flange extending from the inner periphery of said sleeve, said flange having a plurality of radial notches extending from the inner diameter of said flange to provide flexibility in the pilot surface of said inner sleeve, thereby permitting it to expand radially outward in response to centrifugal force acting on the flange for maintaining the inner and outer sleeves coaxial.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the means for holding said sleeves axially comprises cooperating threaded sections on said inner and outer sleeves, said outer sleeve having a shoulder adjacent the threaded section thereof for abutting the end of said outer element for abutting the end of said outer sleeve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein: said notches extend from the inner periphery of said inner sleeve to the inner periphery of said flange; and said apparatus further comprises a relatively thin wall ring telescoped over the outer surface of said flange thereby forming the pilot surface for said inner sleeve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said notches extend from the inner surface of said flange to the outer surface of said sleeve forming an interrupted pilot surface for said inner sleeve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the means for holding said sleeves comprises a tie bolt axially securing said bladed rotor elements.