Patent US4725199A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4725199A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Snap ring construction
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1985-12-23
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Granted: 1988-02-16
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Expires: 2005-12-23
Abstract
Abstract The inner and outer diameter of the flange of a snap ring are oriented relative to each other and the adjacent cases to which it is attached serve to support the high pressure turbine vanes of a gas turbine engine to maintain concentricity between the turbine rotor and stator.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas G. Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 03:33
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01D; F01D25/00; F01D25/24; F01D25/26; F01D25/246
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
For a gas turbine engine that includes a turbine section having a turbine rotor rotatably supported to a shaft and a stator section, a first flange adjacent a first case said case rotatably supporting said shaft, and a second flange adjacent a second case complementing said first flange to be secured together, a snap ring being generally Z-shaped in cross section having a third flange portion sandwiched between said first flange and said second flange to be secured therewith, one arm of said Z-shape defining a first snap portion bearing on the outer diameter of said third flange, and the opposing arm of said Z-shape defining a second snap portion bearing on the inner diameter of said third flange, said first snap portion and said second snap portion being in mating relationship in said first case and said second case and being oriented to prevent said first case from becoming unloaded so that said turbine rotor maintains its concentricity relative to said stator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
For a gas turbine engine that includes a turbine section having a turbine rotor rotatably supported to a shaft and a stator section, a first flange adjacent a first case said case rotatably supporting said shaft, and a second flange adjacent a second case complementing said first flange to be secured together, a snap ring being generally Z-shaped in cross section having a third flange portion sandwiched between said first flange and said second flange to be secured therewith, one arm of said Z-shape defining a first snap portion bearing on the outer diameter of said third flange, and the opposing arm of said Z-shape defining a second snap portion bearing on the inner diameter of said third flange, said first snap portion and said second snap portion being in mating relationship in said first case and said second case and being oriented to prevent said first case from becoming unloaded so that said turbine rotor maintains its concentricity relative to said stator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
For a gas turbine engine as in claim 1 wherein said first case is a diffuser case and said second case is a turbine case.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
For a gas turbine engine as in claim 2 wherein said first snap portion mates with said diffuser case and said second snap portion mates with said turbine case.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
For a gas turbine engine as in claim 1 including a stator vane mounted ahead of said turbine rotor, and said stator vane being partially supported by said snap ring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
For a gas turbine engine as in claim 4 wherein the gas path flows from said stator vanes to said turbine rotor, and said first snap portion being oriented forward relative to the direction of flow of the gas path, and said second snap portion being oriented rearward relative to the direction of flow of said gas path.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US2599654A
Cited
US2609176A
Cited
US2766963A
Cited
GB765345A
Cited
US3992126A
Cited
JPS5268611A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-02-15 | 1991-08-17 | 1992-02-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-02-15 | 1995-08-17 | 1996-02-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-02-15 | 1999-08-17 | 2000-02-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |