US3916495A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and means for balancing a gas turbine engine
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1974-02-25
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Granted: 1975-11-04
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Expires: 1994-02-25
Abstract
Abstract A method and means is provided for initially balancing a gas turbine engine and any replacement turbine therefor so that if the original turbine becomes damaged or inoperative, it may be readily removed and replaced without performing an additional balancing operation. The turbine is connected in overhung relation to the aft end of the engine rotor shaft so that it can be removed and replaced without disturbing a bearing or seal. Slight variations in the dimensions of different replacement turbines and rotor shafts which could potentially unbalance a rebuilt engine are accounted for during the initial balancing of the engine so as to make the turbine readily replaceable without subsequently rebalancing the engine.
Inventors
- 👤 David Dubble Klassen
- 👤 Donald Alan Brozenske
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 06:45
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01D; F01D5/00; F01D5/02; F01D5/06; F01D5/066; F01D5/027; F16; F16F; F16F15/00; F16F15/32; F16F15/322; G; G01; G01M; G01M1/00; G01M1/30; G01M1/32; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T50/00; Y02T50/60; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49229; Y10T29/49231; Y10T29/49233; Y10T29/49764
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of initially balancing a gas turbine engine and thereafter replacing the turbine without performing any additional balancing operations comprises: balancing a compressor and its connecting shaft for rotation with respect to a forward and aft bearing within the engine; balancing the original turbine and any replacement turbine therefor for rotation with respect to the same or a substantially identical arbor apart from the engine; connecting the original balanced turbine to the shaft; correcting any unbalanced condition precipitated by the connection of the balanced original turbine to the connecting shaft by adding balance weight means to the original turbine, and removing and replacing the original turbine with the balanced replacement turbine while maintaining the positions of the balance weight means in the same relative positions on the replacement turbine as on the original turbine.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of initially balancing a gas turbine engine and thereafter replacing the turbine without performing any additional balancing operations comprises: balancing a compressor and its connecting shaft for rotation with respect to a forward and aft bearing within the engine; balancing the original turbine and any replacement turbine therefor for rotation with respect to the same or a substantially identical arbor apart from the engine; connecting the original balanced turbine to the shaft; correcting any unbalanced condition precipitated by the connection of the balanced original turbine to the connecting shaft by adding balance weight means to the original turbine, and removing and replacing the original turbine with the balanced replacement turbine while maintaining the positions of the balance weight means in the same relative positions on the replacement turbine as on the original turbine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
87 words
The method of claim 1 wherein: the compressor and its connecting shaft are balanced in a conventional manner; the original turbine and any replacement turbine therefor is connected to the arbor by a toothed coupling, and the original balanced turbine and any replacement turbine therefor is connected to the aft end of the shaft by a second toothed coupling substantially identical to the first toothed coupling wherein the additional balance weight means corrects for any unbalance due to radial and face runout at the second toothed coupling.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method of claim 2 wherein: the original balanced turbine and any replacement therefor is connected in spaced axially engaged relation with the shaft by a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart tie bolts interconnecting the turbine and shaft with torque transmitted from the turbine to the shaft through the second toothed coupling; and the additional balance weight means comprises washers slipped over the tie bolts so as to always retain their original positions despite the removal and replacement of a turbine.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US2798383A
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US3097824A
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US3304053A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-03 | 1979-05-05 | 1979-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-03 | 1983-05-05 | 1983-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-03 | 1987-05-05 | 1987-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |